Reader Question: How do you get fancy fonts?
"is it possible to embed an obscure font into a site so that I don't need to create images for section headings?"
My Thoughts
Embedded fonts are really popular with Web designers, and a complete anathema to font designers. There is a way to embed fonts using "Dynamic Fonts" with OpenType or TrueDoc, but they aren't widely supported.
If you have to use a specific font (such as for a logo or other branding element that requires it), then you should use an image of that text. But that isn't very accessible. So you are better off using CSS to define your preferred font family first, followed by alternates in decending preference. The last font on your list should be a generic font, in case a reader has none of your preferred fonts.
And you should include at least one family that is common to Macintosh and Windows computers. I've got lists of these common font families on my site.
As well as a comparison chart so that you can see how different the fonts look.
How do you get fancy fonts on your pages?
Do you rely on CSS only or do you create images of your headlines? Let us know by posting your ideas in the comments here or in the forum.
Comments
Isn’t there something in CSS3 that allows importing of fonts? Not that it’ll be usable until Internet Explorer 12 anyway though…
@KenBW2: Yes, there is going to be something in CSS3 that will let you download fonts from the web server to the client. See this page for more info.
In the hands of people with no taste, envision a Web where an entire site could be rendered in Morpheus with a base size of 4px. o_O But seriously, even the usual typefaces are rendered with subtle base size, leading, and kerning differences between platforms. Using embedded fonts for your logo is not a good idea, but OK to carry branding identity for headings. Perhaps not so much for main text unless the font’s designed for easy screen reading.
I usually create my heading in Photoshop or Fireworks and import it as an image to save on device style fonts. It is simple and easy to use in any platform.