Real World Print Production

Macintosh-specific fonts don't function on PCs, and Windows PostScript or TrueType fonts don't work on a Mac (usually, see the "Font Trick" note below). That's why there are a number of utilities to convert PC fonts to Macintosh fonts, and vice versa.

The most common motivation for such gyrations is to submit a Windows-based job to a Mac-based print service provider. There is only one correct way for the print service provider to treat the job, but unfortunately it's not what usually happens. The solutions range from bad to bearable to acceptable.

• Bad Idea: Copy the job to a Mac and use the closest available fonts. "Hmmm... Helvetica is pretty much the same as Arial, isn't it?"

• Bearable Compromise: If the font vendor's licensing agreement allows it, convert the PC fonts to Macintosh versions with a high-end font-editing program such as FontLab or Fontographer (both now owned by FontLab). Check the converted file carefully against hard copy; or, better yet, a PDF supplied by the creator of the file.

• Best Approach: Keep the files in their native habitat. Bite the bullet and learn the basics of Windows, and avoid any conversion. PCs are really not as scary or neurotic as they used to be. If you're designing on Windows computers, have a heart-to-heart conversation with the print service provider before submitting your job. Elicit some assurance that they will not use either of the first two approaches above. If that assurance is not forthcoming, consider submitting print-ready PDFs to avoid font issues.

Font Trick

Windows TrueType fonts can be used under OS X if placed in Macintosh HD/Library/Fonts. To use both Windows TrueType and PostScript fonts in Adobe applications on the Mac, place them in Macintosh HD/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Fonts. You can place the font in an individual Adobe applications Fonts folder, but it will then be available only to that single application. You have to be pretty bored or fontless to do this, and you must check the font vendor's licensing agreement to see if this is legal.

Of course, the niftiest solution to the old font wars is to switch to OpenType fonts. As you've seen in Chapter 6, "Fonts," they're completely cross-platform and full of tempting typographic features.