Best fonts to use on maps?

[Ishmayl]

That Copperplate Gothic is very nice-looking. Thanks for recommending that one, I'm going to get some use out of it.

And I like the blambot site as well, I've been using it for a few years.

Some of the fonts I like (I am also a big fan of the "clean" look, and don't do much with flowery fonts) are:

Calligraph421 BT
Fantasy One
Goodfish
Quadraat

When I do want something a little fancier, my favorite is "Celtic Garamond the 2nd"

[Publius]

I am with Sir Alain, Blmbot is very nice as a source for fonts. Lots of really great comic-styles there for the Champions fans.

I generally use different fonts for different projects. The selection criteria isn't all that scientific. One of the fonts I really love for modern building interiors (which ironically is what I do most often despite the fact that I have not yet posted any) is Tekton Pro, which looks like Technical (but is slightly superior to it IMHO, especially since it is an OpenType font)

[pyrandon]

Publius's last entry just gave me an idea: we should start a thread in the Resources section where all you do is post a pic (not just the name) of your favorite map font(s), with perhaps a word or two on uses, and of course the link to where it can be downloaded!

We could even start a few threads, one for moder mapping, one for sci fi, etc.

Okay, I convinced myself: going over there right now to do just that. Hopefully see you there in a minute!

[RPMiller]

Excellent idea!

[keithcurtis]

Blambot specializes in comic book style lettering fonts, which also lend themselves very well to mapping. Plus several have that "handwritten" look to them...

Read the license carefully on Blambot. The free fonts are generally free only for webcomic projects.

[Publius]

Read the license carefully on Blambot. The free fonts are generally free only for webcomic projects.

I agree, to wit:

All fonts © Nate Piekos. All Rights Reserved. No Blambot font may be altered or redisributed without the express permission of Nate Piekos.

These fonts are freeware for independent comic book creation and non-profit use ONLY. ( This excludes use by "mainstream" publishers, (Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, Oni, Image, SLG, Top Cow, Wildstorm, Crossgen and their subsidiaries) without a license fee. Use by a "mainstream" publisher (or it's employee), and use for mainstream comics, or non-comic, for-profit endeavors incurs a license fee be paid to Blambot. In Essence, this means:

· Anyone may use these fonts for non-profit projects.

· If you are a self-publisher/creator you may use these fonts for any independently published project, for profit or non profit.

· If you are an independent publishing comics through a mainstream company (see above) there is a license fee.

· If you are not an independent comic creator and you intend to use these fonts in a commercial project, there is a license fee.

I generally do things that fall into the self-publisher/creator category and the language is a bit vague. It says at the top that any non-comic is verbotten BUT it also says any independently published product is okay. Is that any comic-related product or 'any product' like you know any product including non-comic ones that are self-published.

This is a "It depends on what 'is' is" situation... best to email if you are unsure.

I swear that the license used to mention games too, but I may be recalling something else entirely.

[HellHound]

I can't STAND licenses that don't define their terms properly - in the RPG industry there are some clip art collections with that kind of license ("this excludes use by "mainstream" publishers). At least this one gives a list without a "such as" clause.

From how I read it this license breaks down as follows:

- Mainstream comic publisher - license fee
- Indy comic publisher - no license fee
- Any other published works for profit - license fee
- Any other published works not for profit - no license fee

[Ilwan]

Currently I am very fond of:

Dominican - http://www.dafont.com/font.php?file=dominican
Middle Ages - http://www.fontstock.net/9166/Middle-Ages.htm
Heidelbe Light - http://www.searchfreefonts.com/fonts/h9.htm

[Maezar]

Some of my favorites:

Cantoria
Quasimodo
Dungeon Dweller
Unearthed BB
CC Near Myth
Beowulf Modern

[vorropohaiah]

I love these threads about fonts.

I like the IM FELL family, 'Castellar' and 'Old Style hplhs' and things like 'Godot'


also maybe this should be moved to another part of the site?