The final presentation has been approved. The alphabet looks marvellous. Someone then asks which files the team needs and the room develops a sudden interest in the carpet. A professional custom typeface should be delivered in formats suited to its real uses. OTF and TTF are commonly used on desktop systems. WOFF and WOFF2 are made for the web. They are related, but they are not decorative alternatives in a download folder. Each has a job. Choose by use, not initials.
OTF: OpenType font
OTF is a widely used desktop font format. It can contain advanced typographic features such as alternate letters, ligatures, small caps and different numeral styles.
For many branding, design and print workflows, OTF will be the main installable format supplied to creative teams.
TTF: TrueType font
TTF is another established desktop format with broad operating-system and software support. Depending on the intended environment and how the font has been built, TTF may be supplied alongside or instead of OTF.
Do not ask which format is universally “better”. Ask what your users, applications and production systems require.
WOFF and WOFF2: webfont formats
WOFF and WOFF2 are designed for serving fonts on websites. WOFF2 generally offers better compression and is widely used by current browsers, while WOFF may still be supplied where older compatibility is part of the brief.
A webfont should be implemented through the website’s CSS and hosted according to the agreed licence. Uploading a desktop font to a public server because the filename looked familiar is not a deployment strategy.
Do you need every format?
Probably not.
- Print and design teams may mainly need OTF or TTF files.
- Web teams will need WOFF2 and perhaps WOFF.
- Apps, games and digital products may have particular embedding and technical requirements.
- Broadcast systems should be checked against the software used in production.
Deliver what has a job. Extra files do not make a typeface more complete. They make the shared folder more exciting.
What is a variable font?
A variable font can contain a range of design variations within a single font file, such as adjustable weight or width. It can offer useful flexibility and potential efficiencies in digital environments.
It also requires suitable design, engineering and testing. If the brand only needs one bold display style, a variable font may be a very clever answer to a question nobody asked.
What else should be included?
Depending on the project, final delivery may also include:
- A specimen showing the available characters and styles
- Instructions for alternates and OpenType features
- Language-support information
- Installation or usage notes
- The agreed font licence
- Version numbers and release notes
The best handover lets a new designer understand what exists without organising a small archaeological expedition.
Are editable source files included?
Source files are not the same as final fonts and should not be assumed to be included. They may contain working drawings, construction data and production material used to generate the fonts.
If the organisation needs to maintain or extend the typeface internally, agree the source-file delivery, rights, software compatibility and technical documentation at the beginning.
Remember the licence
A file format does not grant permission. Having WOFF2 does not automatically mean the font can be used on unlimited websites. Having OTF does not mean it can be sent to every supplier forever.
The delivery and licence should describe the same real-world use.
Files are the last step, not an afterthought
I establish the required formats and environments during the brief, then prepare the agreed desktop and webfont files as part of delivery. The font should arrive ready for the people who need it—not accompanied by a riddle.