Tools for font designers

As a font designer, you are probably very aware of the main tools that you use on a daily basis to create fonts (I'm talking Glyphs, FontLab, FontSelf). However, I want to recognise some of the hidden gems that I use all throughout the font-creation process.

Published on 25th Jan, 2023
Author Laura Eddy

Here are some handy tools to help streamline your work:

Typeface name check

This great (and necessary) tool uses typeface information from various sources to validate if your typeface name is already taken. Hint: they usually are.

namecheck.fontdata.com →
Typeface name check

Wordlist

Generate a big chunk of text full of random words to test your characters out on. You can also limit your selection to specific letters or even letter count. P.S. you’ll get some pretty interesting combos 😎

mbtype.com/wordlist/ →
Wordlist

CharSet Checker

A super comprehensive tool to test what character, language and unicode block support you have in your font. Perfect for checking how many characters you have missed!

www.alphabet-type.com/tools/charset-checker/ →
CharSet Checker

Convert Case

Convert your sample text to various cases such as lowercase, uppercase, title case, or aLtErNaTiNg CaSe. Handy for testing your font with different case letter combinations. I'd recommend using the same paragraph of text and converting to the above cases for a comprehensive sample.

convertcase.net →
Convert Case

TypeTrials

An amazing tool by Pangram with heaps of functionality to test your fonts (such as glyphs view, specimen text and even a random wikipedia article). There are also a number of font styling options such as font colour, background colour and alignment. However, my favourite feature is the kerning inspector. They've got every combination you can think of for every character and symbol. Happy testing.

typetrials.com →
TypeTrials

Universal Specimen

Want to know how well your font translates into other languages? This is a comprehensive visual tool to test the typesetting of your font. Upload your font and select your desired languages to adjust the font size, line height and column width in a live preview.

universalspecimen.rosettatype.com →
Universal Specimen

Waterfall Checker

Waterfall finds words with the same visual length so you can check your font for waterfalls. Also I love this site's design 🖤

workshop.mass-driver.com/waterfall →
Waterfall Checker

Type Design Resources

An extremely comprehensive list of resources for type designers. Including software, character design, language support, kerning tools, proofing tools and even selling and licensing resources. Absolutely check this one out.

typedesignresources.com →
Type Design Resources

Digital Assets Index

Along with the epic list of font creators here, there is also an extensive list of other digital assets such as illustration, inspiration and software tools. I also love this website. Have a look around.

martyr.shop/blogs/posts/digital-assets-index →
Digital Assets Index

Glyphy

A nice visual tool with hundreds of glyphs such as currency symbols, arrows, bullet lists and fraction symbols. Click to copy a glyph and paste it into your font program.

glyphy.io/cool-symbols →
Glyphy



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