Fontself
Fontself turns lettering into custom OpenType fonts through Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or a standalone iPad app.
What Fontself is
Fontself turns lettering into custom OpenType fonts through Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or a standalone iPad app. On desktop, Fontself Maker creates glyphs by dragging shapes or lettering into its panel, then provides controls for alternates, ligatures, spacing, and kerning. It exports standard OpenType fonts and OpenType-SVG color fonts. Illustrator produces vector color fonts, while Photoshop produces bitmap color fonts. Fontself Maker is an extension for Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, and requires CC 2025 or newer; the listed desktop plans cover CC 2025–2026. The iPad app works independently and includes vector brushes, Bézier curve and nib editing, spacing and kerning, font metadata, and font installation for native iPad apps such as Procreate, Pages, Keynote, and Goodnotes. A personal desktop license permits installation on two devices if the purchaser is the sole user on both. Fontself has no free plan or trial. The listed one-time fees are $39, paid once for Illustrator Maker and $59, paid once for the Illustrator and Photoshop bundle; both exclude tax. Updates are free after purchase, and support includes in-app chat, tutorials, and help articles.
Good
- Exports standard OpenType and OpenType-SVG color fonts.
- Provides controls for alternates, ligatures, spacing, and kerning.
- Standalone iPad app supports font installation for native apps.
- Updates are free after purchase.
- Support includes in-app chat and help articles.
Watch out
- No free plan or trial.
- Desktop Maker requires Adobe CC 2025 or newer.
- Desktop personal license is limited to two devices.
- Listed prices exclude tax.
Who it suits
Fontself suits lettering and design users who want to turn artwork into OpenType fonts using Adobe desktop apps or an iPad. The desktop Maker requires Illustrator or Photoshop CC 2025 or newer.
Verdict
Fontself offers desktop and iPad routes for turning lettering into custom fonts, with color-font output on desktop. Check Adobe-version requirements and the one-time, tax-excluded prices before choosing a desktop plan.
Plans and prices
From Fontself's own pricing page, checked 5 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Fontself Maker for Illustrator CC | $39, paid once | Illustrator CC 2025–2026 · desktop app only · personal license for 2 devices · One-Time fee (tax excluded); page also shows $98 |
| Fontself Maker Bundle for Illustrator & Photoshop CC | $59, paid once | Illustrator and Photoshop CC 2025–2026 · desktop app only · personal license for 2 devices · One-Time fee (tax excluded); page also shows $78 |
The facts
Each one read from Fontself's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Adobe integrations
- Fontself Maker is an extension for Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, and the product page requires CC 2025 or newer.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Color font limits
- The Illustrator version makes vector color fonts, while the Photoshop version makes bitmap color fonts.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Compatibility limit
- Fontself Maker for Illustrator requires Illustrator CC 2025 or newer and will not run on earlier versions such as CS6.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Desktop output
- The desktop Maker can export standard OpenType fonts and OpenType-SVG color fonts.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Glyph creation
- The desktop product creates glyphs by dragging and dropping shapes or lettering into the Fontself panel.checked 5 Oct 2026
- iPad integrations
- The maker lists Procreate, Pages, Keynote, and Goodnotes as native iPad apps where installed custom fonts can be used.checked 5 Oct 2026
- License limit
- A personal desktop license allows installation on two devices provided the purchaser is the sole user on both.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Privacy and security
- Fontself says it makes reasonable efforts to protect personal data but cannot guarantee it against unauthorized third-party access; its listed third-party services include Firebase, Segment, Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Intercom, and RevenueCat.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Product
- Fontself turns lettering into custom OpenType fonts using Illustrator, Photoshop, or its standalone iPad app.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Support
- The product includes support through in-app chat and the maker provides tutorials and help articles in its help center.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Typography features
- Desktop features include alternates, ligatures, spacing, and kerning controls.checked 5 Oct 2026
The company
- Company
- Fontself identifies itself as Fontself SAS, incorporated under French law with its registered office in Paris, France.checked 5 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- iPad app
- The standalone iPad app supports vector brushes, Bézier curve and nib editing, spacing and kerning, font metadata, and font installation for native iPad apps.checked 5 Oct 2026
Money
- Trial and updates
- The store says there is no trial yet and that updates are free after purchase.checked 5 Oct 2026
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