Where can I find your fonts?
You can purchase Magpie Paper Works fonts in my shop and on Creative Market, as well as through these great international distributors: MyFonts // FontSpring // Hype for Type // Font Bros. All of my distributors can provide webfonts for dynamic use on your website.
How can I use your fonts?
All of my fonts come with a limited commercial use license; in addition to personal uses, you may create logos for your business and produce things like wedding invitations, t-shirts, etc. for profit so long as your customers never have access to the font files themselves and the final goodies are either delivered in a physical or fixed graphic format like jpg, png or tif. PDF files must be outlined. If you’re producing a logo for someone else, you’ll need to make sure that the client has purchased a copy of the font as well, and the client must also agree to the terms of the license. Basically, I just want to prevent other people from stealing the stuff sweet folks like you pay for!
Please note: there are some uses that may require “extended” licensing – these are special licenses that allow you to use the font in non-standard ways. These licenses include letterform products like alphabet books, rubber stamp sets, scrapbooking kits, etc. Extended licensing is also required for interactive typesetting, server usage, software as service and electronic embedding. If you’re unsure about whether or not you need extended licensing for your project, just drop me a line with the details I’ll do my best to help.
How do I use Opentype fonts in Microsoft Word?
To view a tutorial detailing how Opentype fonts work in Microsoft Word 2011, click here.
To view a video tutorial that explains how to use Opentype features in Microsoft Word 2016, click here.
How much does extended licensing cost?
Extended licensing pricing is based on the type of usage and the scope of your project. Please contact me for more information.
Why do some of your fonts cost more than others?
Font pricing generally reflects the number of Opentype features incorporated into that font’s code. Fonts that contain lots of extras cost a bit more than more basic fonts.
I’m not seeing the swashed letters shown in the font’s poster. Where are they?
Magpie Paper Works fonts can be used in any program, but in order to access special features like swashed letters and alternate alphabets, you will need to work within graphic software capable of handling Opentype fonts like Adobe’s Creative Suite and Microsoft Word. These applications require you to “turn on” the special Opentype feature code that controls the fancy lettering.
Because each application is different, you should refer to the user guides bundled with your software & their online support forums for information on accessing and using Opentype fonts in the program.
For a basic guide to using Opentype fonts in Microsoft Word, click here.
How did you get started designing fonts?
In 2010, I was working on a freelance project for a client and needed a font that looked truly hand-lettered & wild, only to discover there weren’t any options available in the marketplace at that time. I figured that if I couldn’t find what I was looking for, I should make it instead. Saissant was born and the rest was history!
I want to make my own script font, but I don’t know where to start. Do you have any advice?
Making fonts is fun and rewarding, but it can also be very difficult and time-consuming work. Script fonts are exponentially more labor intensive than a plain ol’ upright alphabet! The good news is that if I can teach myself, so can you.
If you’ve never made a font before, I recommend starting with a basic font with non-connected letters. You can practice spacing & kerning, and easily program simple Opentype features. There are a few websites & books every beginning font designer should reference. In no particular order:
Learn Fontlab Fast by Leslie Cabarga
Designing Type by Karen Cheng
I Love Typography’s guide to Opentype substitution features
Tal Leming’s Opentype Cookbook
And remember, the type community is really small and full of wonderful, kind people. If you have a specific question, don’t hesitate to reach out to your favorite font designers!
Do you teach font-making classes?
I am not teaching font design classes or workshops at this time.
Do you use Fontlab or Glyphs?
I use Fontlab for all of my font production. Each font is heavily tested in multiple word processing and design applications on both Windows and Mac computers before release.
How secure is your store?
My store uses PayPal for payments, and PayPal automatically encrypts your confidential information in transit from your computer to mine using the Secure Sockets Layer protocol (SSL) with an encryption key length of 128-bits (the highest level commercially available).
Where are you located?
Magpie Paper Works is based in the United States.
What’s with the Magpie?
Magpies adore and collect shiny, interesting objects to take home and admire. That’s pretty much me, and, I suspect, you too!
If you have a query about a topic not covered here, please email me and I’ll be glad to help.