Up until now, if you wanted to use fonts on a website, you were limited to one of the dozen or so ‘web-safe’ fonts (Verdana, Times, Helvetica—you know, the ones you see everywhere on the web). Using other fonts required you to convert the text into images, or to use some hacky Javascript or Flash solution such as sIFR or Cufón. In a relatively recent development, browsers which support the @font-face rule can access fonts embedded in websites, but most font companies have been reluctant to permit use of their products on the web because of the high risk of software piracy. Typonine, however, now offers the Typonine Web Font Service, a font-embedding system which is based on W3C standards, providing a secure, reliable way to use fonts whose files are hosted on a global network of servers (cloud hosting).

The @font-face rule is a W3C standard allowing authors to specify online fonts for displaying text on their webpages. Example:

@font-face {
    font-family: "Example Font";
    src: url("http://www.example.com/fonts/example");
}
h1 {
    font-family: "Example Font", sans-serif;
}

For more information see the W3C article on the @font-face rule.

Font rendering is handled by the operating system’s rasterizer. While Apple’s OS X does a great job of rendering all fine details of type on screen, the Windows rasterizer is less refined, so fonts in small sizes don’t look as good as in Mac OS. You can enhance font display on LCD screens by turning on Windows ClearType. You can further fine-tune ClearType by using the ClearType Tuner. Follow these steps to enhance screen fonts on Windows:


How to Use ClearType to Enhance Screen Fonts in Windows XP 

ClearType Tuner

ClearType Tuner PowerToy

In some browsers, most notably Firefox, you may see a barely noticeable ‘blink’ before the real font loads in (a.k.a. Flash Of Unstyled Content). This is a result of Firefox’s handling of the @font-face rule. As a work-around Typotheque offers a JavaScript solution that hides content until browsers are finishing loading fonts.

THIS IS A LEGAL AGREEMENT, by accessing, downloading, or using the Typonine Font Software you expressly agree to the following terms:

1. This licence is for the benefit of users authorized under this Agreement who are accessing fonts via the Typonine Web Font Service. Downloading Typonine font software (“Font Software”) for use on a desktop, laptop or workstation is controlled by another licence; if you wish to use the Typonine Font Software in such a manner you must secure a separate licence. If you will be re-serving the Font Software for use on the websites of third parties or otherwise making the Font Software available for use by others, you are required to purchase additional licences. You further agree to treat the Font Software as confidential information and exercise reasonable care to avoid unauthorized distribution of the Font Software. If you cannot or do not agree to the terms of this licence, do not access the Typonine Web Font Service and notify Typonine, Varazdinska 3, 49210 Zabok, Croatia.

2. The Font Software and the designs embodied therein are the exclusive property of Typonine. This non-exclusive and revocable licence grants you limited rights to use the Font Software on websites only. All other rights, title and interest in and to the Font Software, together with the design of the Fonts embodied therein, the trademarks, trade names and service marks are each the exclusive property of Typonine.

3. Except as may be otherwise expressly permitted herein or by a separate written agreement, you may not modify, adapt, translate, reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble, alter, re-serve or otherwise copy the Typonine Font Software or the designs embodied therein. You may not serve or re-serve the Font Software to third parties or websites that are not licenced by Typonine. Serving the Font Software require a Typonine Web Font Service licence. If you are accessing the Font Software via the Typonine Web Font Service, you agree not to modify, adapt, translate, reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble, alter, modify, back-up, copy re-serve or otherwise attempt to redirect the Typonine Font Software or the designs embodied therein to unauthorized recipients. The Typonine Font Software or documentation may not be sublicenced, sold, leased, rented, lent, re-served or given away to another person or business.

4. If you are using the Font Software for the creation of a third party website, unless specifically licenced for such actions, the user displaying the Typonine Fonts must purchase a Typonine Web Font Service licence. Designers who have purchased a licence to use downloadable Typonine Font Software do not have rights to transmit, serve or otherwise deliver or re-serve the Font Software to a client either for use by the client. Unless specifically licenced under this or a separate written agreement, no third party rights are granted herein.

5. You agree that the creation of any derivative designs or type face font software is expressly prohibited under this Typonine Web Font Service licence. Any derivative work which uses, incorporates or is otherwise based upon the design of the Fonts or otherwise incorporates any of the Typonine Font Software, including, but not limited to, software, EPS files, or other electronic works, are considered derivative works under the Law of the Croatia and shall be the Property of Typonine and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this licence. Derivative works may not be sublicenced, sold, leased, rented, lent, or given away without the express written permission of Typonine. Typonine shall not be responsible or liable for unauthorized, modified and/or regenerated software or derivative works.

6. The Typonine Web Font Service licence is a monthly subscription service available from Typonine or its authorized providers of the Typonine Web Font Service. Use of the Font Software in font serving and/or replacement on websites or serving to websites, if so licenced, is permitted under this Agreement. If the Typonine Web Font Service service is terminated for whatever reason, you are not permitted to copy, store or archive the Typonine Font Software for any purposes whatsoever. Failure to make payments for the Typonine Web Font Service will result in the termination of the Typonine Web Font Service. You will be provided with a basic level of bandwidth on the Typonine Web Font Service. Additional bandwidth or other functionality or services will require additional fees. You are not permitted to redirect or re-serve the Font Software transmitted to you via the Typonine Web Font Service. The Typonine Web Font Service licence granted herein is specific to you and the websites identified in this licence Agreement and may only be used for legal purposes only and cannot be transferred, loaned, sold or assigned. You may not store or cache the Font Software, except as may temporarily occur during proper use, the Typonine Font Software or the Font Software transmitted as a part of the Typonine Web Font Service. All rights not expressly identified and granted as a part of the Typonine Web Font ServiceS are expressly reserved to Typonine.

7. If you are an advertising agency, acting on behalf of an advertising agency or otherwise acting in a similar capacity or for the benefit of a third party, the purchase of a Typonine Web Font Service licence for your client or the end user is required and, depending upon how the Font Software will be used, an additional licence upgrade and/or the purchase of an additional special licence may be also be required. If you are creating a work that requires access of the Font Software by a third party, the end using party is required to purchase the Typonine Web Font Service licence. If you are using the Font Software in cinema, motion pictures, on television or on cable television, or in animations, irrespective of the method of transmission or viewing, a special media licence is required from Typonine and an additional licence fee may also be required.

8. The Typonine Web Font Service is provided on a subscription basis and is configured to your anticipated usage volume/pageviews at the time of subscription. Changes in service needs may result in delay. Small or average users should experience no delays, a change to medium volume usage may result in a 2 day or more, delay to match the Typonine Web Font Service with the volume and a change to a large volume/pageview service may require 4 or more days to match the Typonine Web Font Service with the volume of page views requested. If you need to increase your service level or anticipate additional page view demand, you should notify Typonine as early as possible so as to avoid or minimize delays or disruption of the Typonine Web Font Service and inconvenience to the visitors to your website.

9. The embedding of the Typonine Fonts Software in other software or devices or in any other form whatsoever is not permitted by this licence and requires the purchase of a separate licence agreement.

10. The Typonine Font Software is protected under domestic and international trademark, copyright and industrial design law. You may, but are not required, to identify Typonine fonts and ownership in any design or production credits.

11. Any breach of the terms of this Agreement or the Typonine Web Font Service hall be cause for immediate termination. In the event of termination without the obligation of notice or opportunity to cure, Typonine is entitled to seek any all remedies without limitation of any remedies under law or equity, including injunctive relief. You agree to immediately discontinue using or return or the Font Software to Typonine and certify that no copy remains in your possession or control.

12. You are permitted to transfer this Typonine Web Font Service licence provided you notify Typonine of the transfer and the new Internet address for the purposes of serving the Font Software provided via the Typonine Web Font Service. Typonine shall have no responsibility for errors associated with incorrect information related to the transfer of the licence or the Internet address or website of the party accepting the transferred Typonine Web Font Service licence.

13. TYPONINE MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED AS TO MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR OTHERWISE. THE FONT SOFTWARE WAS NOT MANUFACTURED FOR USE IN MANUFACTURING CONTROL DEVICES OR NAVIGATION DEVICES OR IN CIRCUMSTANCES THAT COULD RESULT IN ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE OR PERSONAL INJURY. TYPONINE DOES NOT REPRESENT OR WARRANTEE THE TRANSMISSION SPEEDS OR THAT THE Typonine Web Font Service WILL BE CONTINUOUS OR UNINTERRUPTED. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, TYPONINE SHALL IN NO EVENT BE LIABLE TO THE licenceD USER OR ANY OTHER THIRD PARTY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING DAMAGES FROM LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF DATA, LOSS OF BUSINESS INFORMATION, ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE PRODUCT OR ACCESS THE TWFS OR IF THE TWFS IS DELAYED OR IMPEDED EVEN IF NOTIFIED IN ADVANCE. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL TYPONINE’S LIABILITY EXCEED THE REPLACEMENT COST OF THE SOFTWARE OR THE Typonine Web Font Service licence FEE FOR THE TERM THEN IN EFFECT. Under no circumstances shall Typonine’s liability exceed the substitution or the replacement cost of the Font Software, whichever is less and at the sole discretion of Typonine. The terms of this Agreement are contractual in nature.

The Typonine Font Software licence Agreement is subject to Croatian Law. By downloading and installing the Fonts, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by the terms and conditions of this licence Agreement.

Since the version of Apple iOS 4.2, Mobile Safari in the iPhone and iPad support real fonts in TrueType and OpenType format. The previous version of iOS had to use SVG fonts when using @font-face feature.
Typonine webfont system supports both SVG and TrueType fonts, to guarantee consistent rendering of webpages in mobile devices, so webfonts will show just fine on your iPad and iPhone regardless of which version of the iOS you use.