Type Old Writer was one of the first fonts I created. I was still learning how to use Glyphs, and there’s no better way to learn than by making something. To give myself a clear starting point, I decided to make a typewriter font using an actual typewriter—undercover genius I know.
Buying an old typewriter on eBay
I wanted the uneven ink and worn edges to come from the machine itself, so I bought an old typewriter on eBay.
It didn’t work properly.
After a bit of tinkering, I got it working for long enough to type the characters I needed.
Why use a real typewriter?
A typewriter font isn’t convincing simply because it looks old. It’s convincing because the machine leaves evidence behind.
The ribbon prints unevenly. Some keys strike harder than others. Edges break apart and letters wander slightly off the baseline. None of this is planned. That’s what makes it.
A computer can copy the appearance. The typewriter creates the reason for it.
Turning the typed letters into a font
Once I’d typed the characters, the temptation was to clean them up.
That would have been a mistake.
Clean away too much and you lose the character. Keep too much and you lose the font. The useful part sits somewhere in between.
The work sat somewhere between the two: tidy enough to use, rough enough to remain honest.
Keeping the useful imperfections
Digital design makes correcting things incredibly easy. Sometimes too easy.
With Type Old Writer, the faults weren’t problems to hide. They were the design.
I think it works particularly well for:
- Editorial headlines
- Posters and book covers
- Packaging
- Branding
- Quotes and short pieces of display text
It can also work for longer passages when set at a sensible size, although its strongest use is where the texture has room to show.
A real typewriter made usable
The finished font still looks typed because it was typed.
Type Old Writer does exactly what it says on the tin.
Buy Type Old Writer and try it with your own words.
Type Old Writer font FAQs
Does Type Old Writer include uppercase, lowercase, numbers and punctuation?
Yes. Type Old Writer includes uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and a core selection of punctuation and symbols.
Does Type Old Writer include alternative characters?
No.
Does Type Old Writer contain ligatures?
No.
Does Type Old Writer have OpenType features?
Yes but only standard, nothing fancy.
What weights or styles are available?
Type Old Writer comes in one Regular style. It isn’t part of a larger family of weights.
What languages does Type Old Writer support?
The current version supports Basic Latin. Contact me before buying if your project needs accented characters or support for a particular language.
Which font formats are supplied?
Type Old Writer is supplied as an OTF desktop font for Mac and Windows.
Does Type Old Writer have any limitations?
No but its character set is Basic Latin.
What licence comes with Type Old Writer?
The standard purchase includes a Desktop licence. App, electronic-document and digital-advertising or email licences are available as add-ons.
For company-wide use, servers, games or broadcast, contact me for a tailored licence. You can also read the full font licence agreement.
Written by Simon Stratford, type designer and graphic designer. These are my opinions, reached after too little sleep and too much coffee. You can also follow my antics on @itsmesimonok, or leave a comment below. Despite all the opinions, I’m actually quite nice.