Typeface Scales Up, Keeps in Step with HTML5

I’ve been asked about the small insignia at the bottom right corner of this page: It is the Typekit logo!

There have been some exciting developments in typography for digital publishing recently.  HTML5’s arrival permits the true ability to render typeface online. It is known as the WOFF standard. Google’s Chrome browser version 6 supports WOFF, and as of September 21, so does Typekit. Typekit offered WOFF support for Internet Explorer 9, still in beta, since the middle of September. N.B. Many WordPress sites use Typekit fonts. I don’t know if there is a contractual relationship between the two. I am appreciative of Typekit’s free font service for my WordPress.com budget blog.

This is a nice example comparing Windows versus Mac O/S. Better vertical metrics result in greater consistency across platforms:

Typekit updates with WOFF for Mac

Before and After Updated Vertical Metrics for Mac Fonts via Typekit Blog

Here you can see the improvement due to better rendering that comes with a WOFF-supported browser and typefaces:

Typekit updates rendering for Internet Explorer

Anticipate Better Rendering in Internet Explorer 9 via Typekit Blog

Enjoy some all around spectacular-ness: From the Lost World’s Fair site!  The image is a lush, multi-font fantasy of World’s Fair 2040. It is beautiful.

More details are available

via the Typekit blog:Adobe fonts, now with improved metrics and rendering In keeping with our strategy of constantly iterating and improving our font library, we have updated the following… Read More

Published in: on 1 October 2010 at 3:34 pm  Comments (4)  
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4 CommentsLeave a comment

  1. On 1 October 2010 at 9:22 pm Michael said:

    THat is a truly spectacular Lost World’s Fair site. Even as a typeface novice, it’s painfully apparent how much we need some typeface uniformity across platforms at a minimum. The fear is of course HTML5 becoming bloated, but as long as the performance is there …

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    • On 7 October 2010 at 3:25 am Ellie K said:

      Good point about the bloating effect of HTML5. I wasn’t aware of that until I read your comment, and then a few moments later read this article:
      Clients and the Cloud about the “client-side puddle” effect of shifting too much burden to the user’s browser with so many features supported by HTML5.

      I had no idea! But then you would, you’re the one with a Ph.D.
      ;@)

      Thanks for stopping by!

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  2. On 9 April 2020 at 6:03 am Not so current developments in typography | Ellie Asks Why said:

    […] HTML standard for typography and WOFF are finally […]

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  3. On 20 June 2020 at 4:54 am Not so current developments in typography – Ellie Asks Why said:

    […] An HTML standard for typography and WOFF are finally supported. […]

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    Reply

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