This article shows you how to install a new font (also called a font) on your computer, so that it can be used within Adobe Illustrator. You can add new font templates on both Windows and Mac systems.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Windows systems
Step 1. Close the Adobe Illustrator program if you are using it
If you install the new fonts while the software is running, you will not be able to view and then use them.
Step 2. If necessary, download the installation file for the font you want to use
If you don't have this resource yet, you will need to download the installation file before you can continue.
- Fonts for Adobe Illustrator must be complete, that is, they must include the character set for the "bold", "italic" and "underline" styles, along with all uppercase and lowercase letters of the alphabet.
- The installation file can be downloaded in one of the following formats: "OTF", "TFF", "PFP" and "TTF".
Step 3. Access the "Start" menu by clicking the icon
It features the Windows logo and is located in the lower left corner of the desktop.
Step 4. Open a new "File Explorer" window by clicking the icon
It features a small folder and is located at the bottom left of the "Start" menu.
Step 5. Navigate to the folder where you saved the font installation file
Use the navigation bar on the left side of the "File Explorer" window to access the directory where you have saved the compressed archive containing the installation file of the font you want (for example the folder Download).
In order to access this folder, you may first need to select several nested directories
Step 6. Select the ZIP file for the font to install
This way the chosen element will be highlighted.
Step 7. Go to the Extract tab
It is visible at the top of the "File Explorer" window. A toolbar will appear below the header Extract.
Step 8. Press the Extract All button
It is located to the right of the "Extract to" group of the toolbar.
Step 9. When prompted, press the Extract button
The contents of the compressed archive will be extracted into a normal folder.
Step 10. Wait for the data extraction process to complete
At this point, the window relating to the folder containing the installation file of the new font should have appeared, which will give you the possibility to add it to the collection of fonts already present in the system.
Step 11. Select the font file in question with a double click of the mouse
It will appear inside a preview window.
Step 12. Press the Install button
It is visible at the top of the dialog box that appeared. In this way the selected font will be automatically installed on your computer, allowing any program or application to use it, obviously including Adobe Illustrator.
If there is an installation file for each font style, "bold", "italic" etc., you will have to select them one at a time with a double click of the mouse so that the relevant font, properly formatted, is installed in the system and can be used within Adobe Illustrator
Method 2 of 2: Mac
Step 1. Make sure there is no program or application running
Any text or image editor currently in use must be closed in order to install a new font on the Mac. Popular applications of this type include:
- Adobe Illustrator;
- Pages;
- The programs included in the Microsoft Office suite.
Step 2. If necessary, download the installation file for the font you want to use
If you don't have this resource yet, you will need to download the installation file before you can continue.
- Fonts for Adobe Illustrator must be complete, that is, they must include the character set for the "bold", "italic" and "underline" styles along with all upper and lower case letters of the alphabet.
- The Mac installation file can be downloaded in one of the following formats: "DFONT", "OTF", "TTC", "TTF", "MM" (or "Multiple Master") and "PostScript".
Step 3. Open a Finder window
Click the blue stylized face icon visible within the System Dock.
Step 4. Navigate to the folder where you saved the font installation file
Use the navigation bar on the left side of the Finder window to navigate to the directory where you saved the installation file for the font you want.
If the file is not contained in a folder, simply navigate to the path where it is stored
Step 5. Select the font file in question
Click it with the mouse so that it appears highlighted.
If there are multiple installation files (for example one for the "italic" style, one for the "bold" style, etc.) select them all by holding down the ⌘ Command key on the keyboard while clicking on the individual icons
Step 6. Enter the Edit menu
It is located in the upper left corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
Step 7. Choose the Copy option
It is one of the items on the menu Edit appeared. All selected files will be copied.
Step 8. Access the Go menu
It is one of the options in the Mac menu bar. A new drop-down menu will appear.
Step 9. Choose the Go to Folder… option
It is visible at the bottom of the drop-down menu Go.
Step 10. Type the path / System / Library and press the Enter key
This way you will have direct access to the folder Library of the Mac.
Step 11. Double click on the Fonts entry
This is the folder that contains all the types of fonts installed on the Mac and usable by all the programs present, obviously including Adobe Illustrator.
Step 12. Access the Edit menu using the Mac menu bar
Step 13. Choose the Paste Item option
This way all files copied in the previous steps will be placed in the folder Fonts.
If you had to copy a multiple selection of files, you will need to select the entry Paste elements.
Step 14. Restart the Mac
Access the "Apple" menu by clicking the icon
choose the option Restart … and press the button Restart when required. When the Mac has completed the startup procedure you should be able to use the new font installed within Adobe Illustrator.
