What are fonts? Known as typefaces in the print world, fonts are the styles of writing that you can convert words into after you type them into a word processing program, like Microsoft Word. Fonts can help convey the mood of a memory you're trying to capture in paper. They can lend drama and artistry to titles, and help capture your viewer's attention as they look through your scrapbooks. Plus, they're just plain fun!
The world is full of fonts! Every day, creative people design and share dozens of new fonts all over the Internet. Many people collect fonts the way others collect stamps or coins. There are fonts in every style you can possibly imagine, from cutesy floral fonts to rock stars' official album fonts, and everything in between. There are fonts that look like they are melting, others that look frozen, and still others that look like they're on fire!
So where are all of these magical, wonderful fonts? Why, they're on the World Wide Web, of course! There are hundreds of websites out there devoted to sharing fonts. Some charge a fee for the use of the site, but there are plenty of others that offer the fonts as "freeware," meaning you don't have to pay to download and use them. There are also "shareware" fonts that you would be licensed to use for a short time, but which you would have to pay for eventually. Another option is "linkware"; you are allowed to use the font for free, but if used digitally, you must provide a link back to the site sharing the font. Be sure to check the font's "readme.txt" file for explicit licensing information. Some of my favorites are:
Spend some time visiting these sites. Some fonts are duplicated on several sites, but others will be unique to only one site or the other. Browse through the available fonts, until you find some that you really like, then download them.
You can also purchase CDs with lots of fonts on them that you can install and use. Check with your favorite scrapbook stores to see what they have to offer.
Most fonts are available for download in one of two file formats - either .TTF or .ZIP. If the file is .ZIP, you will first need to "extract" or "unzip" it before you can use it. You can do this using one of several free or shareware programs (one of which may already be installed on your computer), such as WinZip.
Create a folder on your computer's hard drive specifically for downloaded fonts. This will give you a convenient source for backing up files in the event of a computer crash. Back the files in this directory up to another source frequently, so that if you ever lose the information on your hard drive, you can reinstall your fonts on your repaired computer without having to locate and download your fonts all over again.
Most font sites will have a link for each font that says "Click here to download" or "Download now." Click that link. Browse to your downloaded fonts directory, and click Save. If the file you downloaded was a .ZIP file, use your extraction software to open it and extract the font file(s).
If you are using Microsoft Windows, open your Control Panel (Start|Programs|Control Panel) and click Fonts. Click File|Install New Font. Locate the directory for your downloaded fonts, and select the .TTF file for your new font. Once you receive notice that the font has been installed, it's ready to use!
Open Microsoft Word and type some sample text into a new document. Use your mouse to highlight the text, then click Format|Font. In the Font drop-down box, locate your newly-installed font's name. Select it, then change the other options (size, color, etc.) if you so choose. Click OK. Tada!! You have now used your newly-installed font!
Find, download, and install at least ten new fonts (more if you want). Type your poem, song lyrics, book passage, or other quote from last week into a Word document. Change the font of your text to at least one of your new font choices. You may want to print the text in a few of your choices, to see which looks the best to you in print. Alternatively, you may choose to print the text in one overall font, but use a second font to emphasize particular words. Print your practice work out on white cardstock to see how it looks.
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