SkyFonts introduces font rental service
Cloud-based 'game changing' way to experiment with type
Monotype Imaging has announced SkyFonts. Currently in beta, the service is designed to make it simpler for designers to experiment with their work. The system consists of a background system extension for OS X or Windows, which activates fonts downloaded from the SkyFonts portal. Payment is made via a credit-based system that's used to rent fonts on a daily or monthly basis. Entirely free five-minute trials are also available. (Rental pricing had yet to be announced at the time of writing.)
According to SkyFonts, the system has the potential to dramatically change how designers work with type. Design often involves trial and error, and yet traditional font purchase systems have been based around perpetual licenses for single projects; additionally, many designers simply cannot afford to buy a number of fonts just for experimenting with. "We believe customers will find SkyFonts to be very flexible, fluid and economical, with the ability to try fonts within actual jobs and then rent them for however long is necessary," said Chris Roberts, vice president and general manager of Monotype's ecommerce group.
Currently, there are some shortcomings to the service that make it less relevant for web designers. There's no access to fonts purchased through the likes of Fonts.com, nor any means to use SkyFonts as web fonts. However, the website's FAQ notes that the former is under consideration; and for web fonts, the SkyFonts portal indicates those fonts that are available as web fonts, and links to Fonts.com where the font can be added to a Fonts.com web fonts project.
Find the best places to download free fonts at our sister site Creative Bloq
1 comment
Comment: 1
And, it's being marketed as a way for designers to "try" fonts? For "5 minutes"? Surely Monotype jests! Chris Roberts says "Design often involves trial and error." Well being a designer myself, Chris, I can tell you that trial and error takes more than 5 minutes.
Then, once I have decided to commit to a font that I have tried for "5 minutes", I will need to pay for it forever?? I currently use Futura for a lot of my projects. I paid for it once and use it as often as I want to. I cannot imagine having to pay for it every time the license expires. That would be cost prohibitive for a small business like myself. In addition the inconvenience associated with having to MANUALLY auto renew a license every time it expires will get really annoying very quickly!
This makes me think of adjustable rate loans when the banking industry back in the early 80s looked for a way leverage the risk of fixed rate loans. Enter adjustable rate mortgages. It looks pretty on the outside and sounds good if you listen; but, look where it's gotten the economy today! Putting lipstick on a pig!