Calling all font experts

**WRT** · 18th June 2008, 09:15

Got a couple of questions about fonts. We have a number PDF files with a specific embedded PS font, which we are going to be using a lot of in the future. We are just about to purchase in the font, but have the option of getting it in either PS or TrueType. From what I'm hearing, PS works better with Adobe/desktop publishing apps, but TT works better with Word. We will be using the font both in PDFs and Word docs - which one should we go for?

**Hitcher** · 18th June 2008, 10:33

If you need both, buy both. Otherwise figure out which application you would prefer to compromise.

**Big Dave** · 18th June 2008, 10:46

Originally Posted by WRT

Got a couple of questions about fonts. We have a number PDF files with a specific embedded PS font, which we are going to be using a lot of in the future. We are just about to purchase in the font, but have the option of getting it in either PS or TrueType. From what I'm hearing, PS works better with Adobe/desktop publishing apps, but TT works better with Word. We will be using the font both in PDFs and Word docs - which one should we go for?

If you are using Indesign on a mac OSX it doesn't matter - TT or PS will work dandy.

**WRT** · 18th June 2008, 10:51

Originally Posted by Hitcher

If you need both, buy both. Otherwise figure out which application you would prefer to compromise.

Bugger, I suspected this might be the answer, had hoped not. When you say compromise, does this mean that Word will in some way work with the PS font? The PDF's are more important to us, so if they will work best with PS then that will probably be the way we go.

Originally Posted by Big Dave

If you are using Indesign on a mac OSX it doesn't matter - TT or PS will work dandy.

Good point - I forgot to mention this is Windows based.

**bungbung** · 18th June 2008, 10:53

If you want a pdf from Word then ttf is most reliable. The Adobe apps are perfectly happy with either, it's Msword with the problem. Acrobat will embed whatever obscure font you use into the pdf.

**xwhatsit** · 18th June 2008, 10:58

AFAIK you can use Postscript fonts in Word, at least on Mac.

You can also convert fonts between the two formats; here is an open-source utility to convert from Truetype to Postscript: http://ttf2pt1.sourceforge.net/

**Big Dave** · 18th June 2008, 10:59

Originally Posted by bungbung

it's Msword with the problem.

How many times have I said that in the last 20 years.

**Skunk** · 18th June 2008, 11:01

Originally Posted by Big Dave

How many times have I said that in the last 20 years.

Ditto. Oh, and TTF.

**WRT** · 18th June 2008, 11:09

Originally Posted by bungbung

The Adobe apps are perfectly happy with either, it's Msword with the problem.

That sounds like the answer we were looking for, thanks.

Originally Posted by xerxesdaphat

You can also convert fonts between the two formats; here is an open-source utility to convert from Truetype to Postscript: http://ttf2pt1.sourceforge.net/

Thanks for the tip, I'm not sure we can convert it in this case as the font is a licenced one - I would suspect we'd be guilty of pirating if we did such a move as when purchasing the font there is the option for one format or the other, if you want both then the price doubles.