Desktop Fonts
Commercial use desktop font licenses from Fontspring
Worry-Free licensing
Most font users know what to expect from a desktop license. However, if you are a new font user, you probably have some questions. Desktop licenses are the only license where type designers don’t all use our license, so at first it can be a tad overwhelming. We’re here to help. With our Worry-Free badge and kick ass support team, we make font licensing easy.
Fontspring vs. OEM licenses
If a foundry uses our license, read the rest of this page to understand what it allows. If they use their own license, it’s going to be similar to ours with a few exceptions. But don't worry, we’ve done all the hard work for you. Each font has Worry-Free badge if the license meets a standard set of requirements. It doesn’t absolve you from reading the license, but it allows you to shop with confidence.
In a nutshell
A desktop license is the most common license and covers most commercial font usage. You can create graphical designs (logos, signs, etc.) and products (mugs, t-shirts, hats, etc.) for yourself, or your client(s). Products may be sold for profit as long as the letters are not the main selling point of your product (like a house number or stamp set). This license is limited by “users,” usually the total number of people using the font. Embedding fonts is not allowed with this license with a few exceptions (such as a PDF reports). All licenses on our site are perpetual, which means you pay once and use it forever.
Note: Embedding a font means to include the font in a file to be used by the person receiving the file. For example, a font file embedded in a website’s code. Embedding rasterized images created by the font is not considered embedding the font. Embedding licenses for websites, apps, ebooks, and more are available from Fontspring.
Branding
You may brand your business with this font. If your business becomes very successful, you will not need to pay any additional fees. If you are a branding company, you may create brands for your clients as well. However, if your client would like to the font use on their computers, they must purchase their own license.
Greeting Cards
You may use the font to create greeting cards. They may be for you, your business, to be sold for profit, and/or to be intended for resale by your customers. However, you cannot use the font in a system that allows your customers to create and customize their own greeting cards. An additional license may be available for this use.
Logos
You can create logos for yourself or your clients.
Movie Captions
You may use the font to create captions for your movie creations, but you cannot embed the font in movie software you sell or in the movie itself... In other words, make sure that the recipient of your product cannot extract the font file. If you need to embed the font, an additional license may be available.
Movie Credits
You may use the font to create movie credits for your movie creations, but you cannot embed the font in movie software you sell or in the movie itself... In other words, make sure that the recipient of your product cannot extract the font file. If you need to embed the font, an additional license may be available.
Movie Titles
You may use the font to create titles for your movie creations, but you cannot embed the font in movie software you sell or in the movie itself... In other words, make sure that the recipient of your product cannot extract the font file. If you need to embed the font, an additional license may be available.
PDFs
You may create read-only, non-editable PDF files. Extended PDF embedding is available with an ebook license.
Pens
You may use the font to create pens. They may be used by you or your business, or sold for profit, and/or intended for resale by your customers. However, you cannot use the font in a system that allows your customers to create and customize their own pens. An additional license may be available for this use.
Signs
You may use the font to create signs. They may be for you, your business, to be sold for profit, and/or to be intended for resale by your customers. However, you cannot use the font in a system that allows your customers to create and customize their own signs. An additional license may be available for this use.
T-shirts
You may use the font to create t-shirts. They may be for you, your business, to be sold for profit, and/or to be intended for resale by your customers. However, you cannot use the font in a system that allows your customers to create and customize their own t-shirts. An additional license may be available for this use.
Why buy from
Fontspring?
Worry-Free licensing
We go through every font license and flag any onerous requirements so you don't have to. A Worry-Free badge guarantees that the font license covers the most common rights and uses a typical designer would expect. Now you can browse fonts without your lawyer.
Try then buy
Many of our fonts now have free demo versions. These demo fonts are fully installable versions of the font with a reduced character set. You can try the font in any program for testing and comping.
Kick-Ass support
Font help is only a chat or email away. Our unbelievably friendly and knowledgeable support gurus are ready and able to assist in any issue, big or small. All you need to do is ask.
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Frequently asked questions
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Out the wazoo
540+ font designers keep us stocked with an unbelievable selection of fonts. Over 69,000 fonts in 14,000+ families in fact. We probably have what you need.
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Can’t find that particular one? Contact us by email or phone and we’ll be glad to help you. Digging through such a large library can be daunting. And we are REALLY good at it too.
