Wenwriting: The First Collaboration Handwriting Typeface Between justfont & Adobe

• justfont & Adobe Type
• Role: Typeface Engineer
• Co-work with: Typeface Designer, Project Manager
• Tools: Glyphs, Python, Git
• Wenwriting / Adobe Fonts: https://fonts.adobe.com/fonts/wenwriting

In the past, buying a font meant you owned it forever. This was called a buyout (買斷制) license. You only need to paid once and had the font without any recurring fees. Many designers and companies preferred this model for its simplicity and clarity.

Recently, however, many typeface studios and providers have shifted to a subscription (訂閱制) model. Instead of owning fonts outright, users pay a monthly or yearly fee to access the font. This change offers steady cash flow for typeface companies and helps them gather user data to better understand customer needs.

Before Wenwriting (彣書), justfont used only the buyout model. Wenwriting marks justfont's first collaboration with Adobe, offering a typeface through Adobe Fonts and embracing the subscription model. This partnership is an exciting opportunity for us to explore new licensing approaches within the industry.

Giants in the Font Market

In the West, Adobe with Adobe Fonts (formerly Typekit) is the major player in the typeface industry. It provides access to a abundant library of fonts and integrates seamlessly with Adobe apps like Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, which are widely used by designers and publishers.

Monotype is another key player, owning classic and famous fonts like Helvetica, DIN, and Times New Roman, and licensing them to companies and businesses client.

In Asia, Morisawa (株式会社モリサワ) leads the Japanese typeface market with a strong presence in both print and digital spaces. Recently, they acquired the Taiwanese typeface studio Arphic (文鼎科技), signaling a growing interest in the Taiwanese Traditional Chinese market.

These companies dominate the market not only with their collections but also through partnerships with major tech companies, ensuring their fonts are used worldwide.

Opportunities for Small Studios & Independent Designers

For independent designers and small studios like justfont, competing with giants can be challenging due to their larger budgets and established industry relationships.

However, there are still opportunities. At justfont, we build a unique brand and engage directly with our target agents. Social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook allow us to showcase our work and connect with potential customers.

Another strategy is maintaining relationships with larger foundries, which can lead to mutual exchanges and potential collaborations. Despite these partnerships, justfont continues to operate independently.

Our collaboration with Adobe Fonts is our first partnership with a major player and serves as a way to test the subscription model. Through this, we aim to compare the subscription model with our buyout model by evaluating metrics like membership numbers, active users, and font usage.