Licensing Typography for Brand Design
At Tributary, we always share font licensing information across the final type system with our clients, something that often gets overlooked.
Typography plays a significant role in creating brand identity. It is the art of arranging typefaces to make written language legible, readable, and appealing when displayed. Many companies invest in typography to make their brand unique and recognizable. However, using typography without proper licensing can result in legal issues. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of licensing typography for brand design and the consequences of using unlicensed typography.
Here’s our guide to understanding what licensing is and how to purchase a font license.
Why Licensing Typography is Important for Brand Design
Licensing typography is critical for brand design as it ensures that the typography used is legally obtained, and the creator of the typography is compensated for their work. A typography license grants permission to use a typeface in specific ways, such as for commercial use or web embedding. Without proper licensing, companies risk being sued for copyright infringement, which can result in hefty legal fees and damage to the brand's reputation.
Why we always recommend fonts that require licenses
Breaking out from free fonts means your competitors are less likely to use the same fonts. We always want to be creating completely custom and unique brand indentities that stand out from your competitors.
Using open source or free typography can also limit a company's design options. Free typography may have limited characters or may not be optimized for various sizes and formats, which can be limiting for designing all the collateral your business needs.
Website versus Desktop Licensing
When purchasing a typography license, it is important to consider the platform on which the typography will be used. For example, a website license may have different terms of use than a desktop license. Website licenses often have restrictions on the number of page views, while desktop licenses may be limited to a specific number of computers. It is important to read the licensing agreement carefully to understand the terms of use and any restrictions on the typeface's use.
Pay close attention to font weight
Sometimes your brand only requires one or two font weights, and you do not need to purchase a type license for the entire font family. Read your brand guidelines carefully to ensure you’re not overbuying licenses! Sometimes it can be cost effective to purchase a full family if you want italics, bold, etc. but consult with your designer to find out what the right package is for you.
How to License Typography for Brand Design
The process of licensing typography for brand design involves identifying the typeface needed, selecting a reputable font foundry or vendor, and purchasing the appropriate license. It is essential to read the licensing agreement carefully to understand the terms of use and any restrictions on the typeface's use. Each type foundry has it’s own rules and regulations.
In addition, it is important to keep track of the licenses purchased and renew them when necessary. Failure to renew a license can result in legal consequences and loss of access to the typeface. We recommend reviewing them once per year to make sure they’re up to date. Tip: set a calendar invite so you don’t forget!
Conclusion
Licensing typography is a critical aspect of brand design. It ensures that the typography used is legally obtained, the creator of the typography is compensated for their work, and all company’s should check up on their font licenses once per year. Using unlicensed typography can result in significant legal fees, damage to the brand's reputation, and limit a company's design options. Therefore, investing in licensed typography is an essential part of creating a successful brand identity.