FontBooklets Put the Tactile Joy Back into Typeface Selection
FontShop launched its FontÂBookÂlet series this year with the mantra that type was meant to be seen on paper. Like smaller, more focused verÂsions of their mother pubÂliÂcaÂtion, FontÂBook, FontÂBookÂlets are printed specÂiÂmens that give ample space and tribÂute to the best fonts for proÂfesÂsional typography.
Unlike a typÂiÂcal throw-​away catÂaÂlog, FontÂBookÂlets are filled with typeÂfaces chosen by myself and designer Conor Mangat purely on their merits, not as part of any marÂketÂing scheme or in response to the latest trend. The specÂiÂmen text is not filler copy, but actual, readÂable insight into the backÂground and charÂacÂterÂisÂtics of each design. Our hope is that type users will find these guides worthy of a spot near their desk, and that they will find them to be handy, reliÂable tools that put the tacÂtile joy back into type selection.
FontBooklet No. 1
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FontÂBookÂlet No. 1 was pubÂlished this summer and covÂered some of our favorite sans and serif text faces with a handy perÂfoÂraÂtion across the middle so you could pair and comÂpare typefaces.
UnforÂtuÂnately we are out of copies of this ediÂtion, but you can view it online and if there is sufÂfiÂcient demand I’ll bet we can conÂvince someÂone here at the office to take another trip to the press.
FeaÂtured typeÂfaces: Arnhem, FF Clifford, Corpid, FP Dancer, Lisboa Sans, FF Maiola, ITC Mendoza, FF Meta Serif, Pragma, ProxÂima Nova, FF Quadraat, RePubÂlic, Whitman
FontBooklet No. 2
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Now FontÂBookÂlet No. 2 is hot off the press with a showÂcase of size-​specific type famÂiÂlies. In the era of metal and wood type, fonts were designed for the size at which they were to be used, with subtle variÂaÂtions in weight, conÂtrast, and proÂporÂtion to make them as legÂiÂble at 6 pt as they were beauÂtiÂful at 72 pt.
With the dawn of scalÂable digÂiÂtal type, any font could be used at any size, and the time-​honored masÂterÂing process was abanÂdoned. As a result, many designs suffer in this new age of conÂveÂnience: disÂplay fonts are often too ornate or fragÂile at small sizes; text fonts are clunky and dull when set large.
ForÂtuÂnately, recent type design has learned from the past, and we are now seeing a return to the pracÂtice of optiÂcal size masÂterÂing. A few type famÂiÂlies offer sturdy, readÂable cuts for text, and showy titling styles for the big stuff — modern techÂnolÂogy infused with the wisdom of the originals.
FeaÂtured typeÂfaces with size-​specific fonts: ITC Bodoni, Borges, Cronos, EldoÂrado, FarnÂham, Freight, GaraÂmond PreÂmier, King’s Caslon, LocaÂtor, Miller, FF Reminga (new verÂsion soon), Rumba, MVB Sirenne.
How to Order
To get your free copy of FontÂBookÂlet No. 2, log in or create an account at FontShop.com and check your subÂscripÂtion setÂtings to make sure the box for “catÂaÂlogs” is ticked. Please also conÂfirm that we have your curÂrent address. German resÂiÂdents, please conÂtact FontShop.de for fulfillment.
ShareThis22 Comments:
Yea i’m lookÂing forÂward to Font BookÂlet 2 as well, the origÂiÂnal sits proudly on my bookÂshelf, my Flickr and blog :P - thorÂoughly enjoyed it!
posÂiÂtively green with envy, George.
my bookÂshelf is bereft sadly
Will you also send it to subÂscribers in Spain?
I’m really lookÂing forÂward to getÂting the new FontÂBookÂlet No. 2, allthough I haven’t got the first one, unforÂtuÂnately.
Do you ship it to IndoneÂsia?
I’m already subÂscribed but I haven’t received any.
Thanks..
Ah.. I’m sure that I have already ticked, I have checked sevÂeral times before, but the tick box is unchecked.. oh no..
Hi Agus. From time to time we reset subÂscripÂtion setÂtings and remind people to update their prefÂerÂences and conÂtact info so that we’re not sendÂing stuff to dead addresses. I see that you box is indeed ticked now and we’ll get FontÂBookÂlet out to you.
All this time I thought my subÂscripÂtion setÂtings where enabled. But now they are, I need this book! :)
Having had my setÂtings to include catÂaÂlogues, I’m mysÂtiÂfied why I didn’t get the very first FontÂBookÂlet…
Can u send your bookÂlet to Russia, Saint-​Petersburg?
Nor did I receive the first one… EveryÂthing has been ticked, and still is… I look forÂward to find anyÂthing in my postÂbox! :) (in Warsaw, Poland)
We’re in the midst of proÂcessÂing our big mailÂing so many of you will indeed receive our catÂaÂlogs within the next 2-3 weeks. Thanks for your patience in the meanÂtime.
For those who are conÂcerned about not receivÂing FontÂBookÂlet No. 1: Please conÂtact us and we will be happy to double check for you.
When might we expect FontÂBookÂlet no. 2 after signÂing up, and how can we express a desire for the reprintÂing of no. 1?
Hi nosleepÂingÂdog. We typÂiÂcally process mailÂings about once a month, someÂtimes sooner. Please conÂtact us directly with your inquiry and we’ll be happy to assist.
Thank you. I just received the FontÂBookÂlet No.2. Besides beauÂtiÂful, it’s very useful.
But I’m sad that I lost the FontÂBookÂlet No.1. Please, conÂvince someÂone at the office to take another trip to the press.
What a wonÂderÂful resource to offer…thank you!
Please count me among those who would truly appreÂciÂate a chance to receive a second printÂing copy of bookÂlet one if/when availÂable.
I’ve just received the packÂage) Oh… I’m so happy (i’ve ordered them almost month ago):) Thank you very much, they are as much useful, as they are beauÂtiÂfully designed and printed).
I’ve recieved the package(2 FontÂBookÂlets). It’s very useful for me. Thank you very much.
I’m lookÂing forÂward to receivÂing FontÂBookÂlet #2, I checked out the online verÂsion of #1, very nice, but lackÂing the ‘TacÂtile Joy’ (hint, hint) ;-)
In which typeÂface is writÂten Size?
Thanks
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Hello
I look forÂward to see the new FontÂBookÂlet No. 2