TypeKit vs Google Web Fonts

[chrisburton]

@CrocoDillon After further testing, I’m seeing the same rendering at multiple font sizes. So it appears they did not make any adjustments as I initially thought. Therefore, using Typekit or GWFs will not make any difference.

[CrocoDillon]

Thanks for testing @chrisburton :)

[berni]

hi there,
i just discovered a huge difference in rendering of the “same” font.
i wanted to use “bree serif” on a project and used google fonts. the result is poor. huge rendering-problems on most systems, browsers and font-sizes.
using the same font via typekit, it renders beautifully on most setups.
[bree-serif on typekit.com](https://typekit.com/fonts/bree-serif “bree-serif on typekit.com”)
[bree-serif on google.com/fonts](http://www.google.com/fonts/specimen/Bree+Serif “bree-serif on google.com/fonts”)
anyone experieced something similar? why does that happen?
cheers,
berni

[chrisburton]

@berni Google might not have the updated version of the font.

[fastpurplemedia]

My vote for Google web fonts.

[chrisburton]

@JoshWhite Yes, `font-weight` can have an impact. Especially if you set it on an element.

[chrisburton]

Do people really pay out of pocket for their client’s webfonts?

Compared to other software and the amount of time it takes designers to create true webfonts, I feel they are under-priced.

[chrisburton]

@joshwhite Can you elaborate?

[chrisburton]

What I mean by “paying out of pocket” is where someone purchases the font/webfont or subscription without factoring it into the cost of the project where the client will ultimately be paying for it.

But I don’t think it’s that simple. Not all webfont/font distributors value the product at the same price or have the same licensing terms. Therefore, I think it would be impossible (and maybe even unfair) to implement them into a rate. Adding it to the cost of the project seems more logical.

[ChrisP]

@chrisburton, I’ve been meaning to ask you about this for a little bit. When using TypeKit, how do you bill the client? Do you treat it as them “contributing” to your annual cost for _your_ subscription? Or do you set them up with a subscription of their own? The reason I ask is I recently picked up the portfolio package from typekit, because, as you’ve been saying, it’s a reasonable price for the font selection/quality it gives you. I’m just weary on how I’ll bill it.

[chrisburton]

I don’t do anything by an hourly rate (it’s all project / value based), but I do base most of my pricing on an hourly rate so I know in the end what it’s all anchored on. – @joshwhite

That’s exactly how I do it.

but asking them to fork out for an ongoing subscription for a font…? For bigger companies maybe, for small to medium sized businesses forget about it. – @deeve007

They do it all the time. Why would you think medium to small businesses won’t pay for a subscription service?

When using TypeKit, how do you bill the client? – @ChrisP

Oh, gosh. There’s many factors to this and not all clients require the same things.

With Typekit, I always set them up for their own subscription. This is because it’s less of a hassle to transfer if they ever hire someone in the future to manage their kit. Additionally, I don’t want them to have access to my account either if they ever decide to start changing things around. Also, sometimes clients ask for selections and then want their in-house managers/designers to take over.

I bill the client based on what it costs me to do the project (nothing is gained here). FYI, I’m not talking about the price of the subscription plan. And then I factor in the profit.

If you’re a web designer that’s looking for a proper way to price, here’s a great article on the subject. http://designpro.co/journal/67/project-pricing-with-respect-to-value

[ChrisP]

@chrisburton, it was less of a question about a proper way to price to a client, and more of a question of how _you_ handle TypeKit for an end user. It’s a brand new service to me, and I’ve noticed you mention it quite a bit, so I wanted your feedback as to how you handle it. You definitely answered my question though. Thanks :)

[chrisburton]

@ChrisP Ah, my apologies. Are you sure I answered your questions?

@cwork See article I posted.

[ChrisP]

@chrisburton, yes

> With Typekit, I always set them up for their own subscription. This is because it’s less of a hassle to transfer if they ever hire someone in the future to manage their kit. Additionally, I don’t want them to have access to my account either if they ever decide to start changing things around. Also, sometimes clients ask for selections and then want their in-house managers/designers to take over.

That answered it. I wasn’t sure if you included a “contribution” to your overall annual subscription to TypeKit, or if you did as you mentioned, and just set the client up with their own TypeKit account.

I purchased the Portfolio package because it was fairly priced, included the entire font collection, and had _plenty_ of page views included into the package. I wasn’t sure if I should be using my plan for customers, or set customers up with their own TypeKit plan.

[chrisburton]

@ChrisP Yeah, I think it’s smarter and makes sense for the client to have their own plan for reasons I mentioned above.

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