FONT ISSUES
by Irene Rowley, Graphic Dept. Specialist

Unfortunately, type styles (fonts) are tricky. My advice is to stick with PostScript (or TrueType) fonts. Our graphic equipment handles "Postscript." It is safe to say we can also handle "TrueType" as well. If your font defaults to Courier, looks ragged, or changes placement when you receive the first proof from us, then a font may be missing from the art transmittal, or did not load and work correctly on PostScript equipment:

If your type has turned into Courier in a proof (a very plain font) or if it has changed places: That font was not loaded properly on a computer or output device, or was incompatible altogether.

SOLUTION: First, select fonts that work with our graphic equipment (PostScript, TrueType), and then be careful to send them all. Fonts tend to "hide" in art links. If that does not do it, read my answer to "What if I really, really need a non-standard font" in the FAQ section.

If your type printed jagged when it looked great on screen: Some elements are missing or corrupt. For Mac users: Jagged printing means missing or corrupt PostScript printer fonts from the Suitcase folder. PostScript fonts are made with two types of files in one folder: (1) screen fonts controlling what you see on screen, and (2) printer fonts controlling what prints. You need both. (A TrueType font is only one file, so does not have this particular problem.) It is easy to find a font in your system folder and copy that for us and think you did it, you shared your font. However, your system has changed, renamed and rearranged your fonts into different places on your computer, and hidden some critical working pieces.

SOLUTION: Please go back to the original font folder (i.e. on the original manufacturer's disk) when making a copy for us. If that is not possible, do a file search on your computer for all variants of the missing font name.

If your type lost its bold and italics: For Mac users: You might have made your type bold or italic in your computer not realizing you were using a QuickDraw® routine. QuickDraw happens when hitting the "bold" or "italic" button in the computer programs. As the name implies, it is a "quick" estimate of a typestyle, and does not work 100% of the time in the print industry. Unfortunately, your computer does alert you with: "Hey I am going to use QuickDraw right now and mess with the art later...is that OK with you?"

SOLUTION: Please do not use the "B" (bold) or "I" (italics) button in the Illustrator and Quark programs. Please make type bold or italic by choosing from the style menu of the program.

Finally, fonts can become more trouble than they are worth, since your time is money! If that’s the case, outline or bitmap the ones asking for trouble (at your judgment). See my outlining tip in the Art Specs section under "Fonts" (along with the disclaimer that I insisted on.) I also think outlining works great to make type into logos or special effects.