Step-by-step instructions for finding, installing, and using any font you want to create premium worksheets, printables, photos, and more.
If you spend much time designing anything on your computer, you know the standard fonts can quickly become boring and trite. If you want your creations to stand out- and who doesn’t?- you need to install fonts that go beyond the basics.
Finding and installing fonts is easy, fast, and free. Here’s how to do it:
1. Find a font you like and download
There are plenty of free font websites out there; my favorite is dafont, so I’ll use that one as an example. Browse your site of choice and decide which font(s) you’d like to be able to use on your computer.
Click “download” on any fonts you want to have. I like the look of “paper banner”, so I’ll get that one.
Notice that, right under the download button, you’re given the option to donate to the author. Since you’re getting the fonts for free, consider making a donation if you love what you see.
2. Open file and install
After you’ve clicked download, navigate to your downloads folder and double click to open font folder.
The folder will likely contain several files; any that say TrueType font file are fonts and can be installed.
Open each TrueType font file and click install.
3. Close all documents
If you have a document open- say, a Word file you’re working on- you’ll have to save, close, and reopen it before any newly installed fonts will appear on the list.
That’s it! Any fonts you install will now show on the list of font choices in any program on your computer, like Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.
Bonus: using your fonts in PicMonkey
My favorite part of having fancy fonts is getting to use them in PicMonkey. A lot of people pay for the royale version of the photo editing site simply because they want access to the premium fonts. When you install your own fonts, it’s easy to use those on PicMonkey; just select the “yours” tab when you’re viewing the font options and you’ll see all of your installed fonts listed (along with all the other fonts on your computer).
What is your favorite font?
Glad you went ahead with this post! And that banner font is super cute–I need to get that one! Also, good point about the picmonkey thing. I didn’t realize I could use my own fonts until a few weeks ago, and now I wish I didn’t pay for Royale. Live and learn, I guess!
Thanks, Kayla! dafont.com has several adorable banner fonts. I’m glad you found my post helpful (even if it’s too late)!
I am a such font-aholic! Thank you for sharing this on the Living With Style Linky Party! Be sure to come back next week! ~Dianne
Thanks, Dianne! I’m font obsessed, too!