Font licensing should tell you what you can actually do, not make you feel as though you need a solicitor beside you. This guide explains each Simon Stratford font licence in plain English, with practical examples of what is covered and what needs a different or tailored licence.

The quick rule: a Desktop Licence covers most static, finished design work. If the font file is loaded into a website, app, e-book, digital advert, email, server or video workflow, you need the relevant extra licence. If your use is automated, customisable, broadcast, very high-volume or unusual, ask me for a tailored licence.

This page is a helpful summary. Your order details and the full End User Licence Agreement (EULA) are the legal terms and take priority if anything here appears to conflict with them.

Choose the licence that matches how the font is used

• Desktop: static design work created on your computer.
• Webfont: live text displayed on a website.
• App: the font embedded inside an application.
• Electronic Document: the font embedded in commercial PDFs or e-books.
• Digital Ad/Email: the font embedded in digital adverts or email campaigns.
• Tailored: servers, broadcast, games, customisable products, company-wide and very high-volume use.

Desktop Licence

In plain English: install the font on the number of computers selected at checkout and use it to create finished, static artwork. The Desktop Licence is the required base licence and is included in every font purchase.

Acceptable examples

• Designing logos and brand identities, then supplying finished or outlined artwork to a client.
• Creating packaging, posters, brochures, adverts, signs, presentations and static social-media graphics.
• Printing finished designs on clothing, mugs, postcards, books or other merchandise, up to the 250,000-instance limit.
• Exporting your design as a flattened JPG, PNG or other image file that does not contain the working font software.
• Using the font in ordinary design software such as Adobe apps, Affinity apps, Microsoft Office or similar desktop programs.

Not covered

• Installing the font on more computers than your order permits.
• Sending the font file to a client, printer, colleague or contractor who is not covered by the licence.
• Using the font as live website text, embedding it in an app, commercial e-book, HTML advert or email, or placing it on a server.
• Using the font in television, streamed video, YouTube content, films, games or other broadcast work without the appropriate tailored licence.
• Using the font for made-to-order personalisation or selling products that reproduce the alphabet or individual letterforms.
• Editing, converting, reselling, sublicensing or redistributing the font software.

Logo note: you may use the font to design a logo. You may not register the typeface design itself as part of a trademark registration. If that distinction matters to your project, please contact me before filing.

Webfont Licence

In plain English: this lets a website load the font so visitors see it as live, selectable text rather than as a flattened image. A Webfont Licence is an extension to the Desktop Licence.

Acceptable examples

• Using the supplied webfont files for headings, navigation or body text on the licensed website.
• Serving the font from the licensed website within the domains and usage allowance agreed when you buy.

Not covered

• Using the webfont files in a mobile or desktop app, game, digital advert, email or e-book.
• Making the font file openly downloadable or giving visitors access to it for their own designs.
• Using the font across additional websites, domains or traffic levels not covered by your order.
• Uploading it to a third-party design platform or template service for other people to use.

App Licence

In plain English: this allows the font to be embedded in one named mobile or desktop application for one year, within the registered-user allowance selected at checkout. It is an annual add-on to the Desktop Licence.

Acceptable examples

• Embedding the font in one iOS, Android or desktop application covered by the order.
• Displaying text generated by that app to the licensed number of registered users.

Not covered

• Using the same App Licence for several apps, editions or unrelated products.
• Exceeding the selected registered-user allowance or continuing new licensed use after the annual term without renewal.
• Allowing users to extract, download or use the font outside the app.
• Using the font in a game, website, server service, digital advert or broadcast production unless separately agreed.

Electronic Document Licence

In plain English: this allows the font to be embedded in commercial PDFs or e-books for the selected number of titles for one year. It is an annual add-on to the Desktop Licence.

Acceptable examples

• Embedding the font in a paid e-book, digital magazine, report or commercial PDF covered by your title allowance.
• Distributing the finished document to readers when the font cannot be extracted for general use.

Not covered

• Creating more commercial titles than the allowance on your order.
• Supplying editable templates that let customers type with or extract the font.
• Using the licence for a website, app, email campaign, digital advert or server.
• Redistributing the original font files alongside the document.

Digital Ad/Email Licence

In plain English: this covers embedding or serving the font in digital advertising and email campaigns for one year, within the annual impression allowance selected at checkout. It is an annual add-on to the Desktop Licence.

Acceptable examples

• Loading the font inside an HTML5 display advert covered by the selected impression allowance.
• Embedding the font in a commercial HTML email campaign covered by the order.
• Using several sizes or versions of the same licensed campaign, provided the total impressions remain within the allowance.

Not covered

• Exceeding the purchased annual impression allowance.
• Using the font as permanent live text on a website or inside an app.
• Using the font in video, television, streamed content or digital billboards without a tailored broadcast licence.
• Giving the font files to an advertising platform, publisher or third party for unrelated use.

Useful distinction: a flattened JPG or PNG advert created on your licensed computer is normally static Desktop Licence use. If the advert or email loads the font file to display live text, you need the Digital Ad/Email Licence.

Tailored and extended licences

Some uses do not fit a standard checkout box. They are not automatically prohibited; they simply need a licence written around the real project. Contact me for a quote before starting any of the following:

• Large-volume commercial use: more than 250,000 instances across products, packaging, printed items, advertising or related materials.
• Company-wide use: larger teams or organisations needing broader access than the standard desktop options.
• Server use: installing the font on a server that automatically generates artwork, documents, images or personalised output.
• Broadcast and streaming: television, films, YouTube, social video, streamed productions, public screens and similar moving-image uses.
• Games: embedding the font in a video game or game platform.
• Personalised products: made-to-order cards, clothing, mugs, invitations, signs or similar customer-customised goods.
• Alphabet or letterform products: alphabet stickers, digital alphabets, embroidery fonts, monograms, stamps, stencils, die-cut letters or products from which the letterforms can be reproduced.

Not acceptable without written permission

• Starting one of these uses under an ordinary Desktop Licence and assuming it can be upgraded later.
• Allowing customers or end users to download, extract or reuse the font software.
• Reselling, sharing or sublicensing the original font files.

Working with clients, printers and other designers

• You may send finished, outlined or flattened artwork to a client or printer.
• Do not send the working font file unless that person or organisation is separately licensed or expressly covered by your order.
• If a client needs to edit text using the font, the client needs an appropriate licence.
• If several people install the font, make sure the Desktop Licence covers the required number of computers.

Still not sure?

Send me a short description of where the font will appear, whether the font file will be embedded, how many people or devices will use it, the expected audience or impressions, and how long the project will run. I will tell you which licence fits—without making you translate a page of legal fog first.

Ask about a font licence  |  Read the full EULA  |  Browse fonts

Plain-English guide last reviewed: 22 August 2026.