FF Market Alternatives

FF Ropsen Script was created in 1999 from various handwriting sources. Early versions were used in the dialog boxes of schoolbooks that the typeface’s designer was laying out at the time. Over several months, the typeface was refined until a definitive concept was reached: combining the traits of hand-written characters with the framework of a versatile text face, which would work large as well... Read More

Designed by German graphic designer Jochen Schuss. ITC Schuss Hand and ITC Schuss Hand Bold can probably best be described as excellent all around scripts useful for a broad spectrum of advertising purposes as well as for those applications that benefit from a refined handwritten appearance. The characters themselves have a soft, almost “liquid” appearance which is enhanced by the subtle... Read More

Van Dijk was designed by Peter O'Donnell in 1986 and is a zigzag typeface with a printed handwritten character. Angular forms and an emphasized slant to the right make it seem energetic and forward-reaching. The s forms with their rounded and softer forms contrast all the better with the rest of the alphabet. The strong figures of Van Dijk are reminiscent of advertisements of the 1940s. Van... Read More

Linotype Feltpen is part of the Take Type Library, chosen from the contestants of Linotype's International Digital Type Design Contests... Read More

FF Sale is Tony Booth’s sign-written script typeface in three weights: Bold, Medium, and Light. It also includes a set of dingbats made to be used alongside the script. Although he first thought that FF Sale would be used mainly by design studios in press advertising, exhibition and display work, the designer discovered after its release that it had a much wider potential market. FF Sale is... Read More

Designer Dung van Meerbeeck’s series of digitized handwriting are named after the famous artists to whom each belongs. The typefaces in the “FF DuBrush” series are: FF DuChirico, FF DuDuchamp, FF DuGauguin, FF DuTurner, FF DuMathieu, and FF DuMifu. Mi Fu was a Chinese painter, poet, and calligrapher from the Song Dynasty. In painting he gained renown for his style of painting misty landscapes.... Read More

The script typeface named Fineprint is based on its designer's own handwriting, or at least as Steve Matteson saw his handwriting on a really good day. Unlike many digitizations of handwriting, Fineprint maintains a consistent harmony and balance across its letters in a line of text. The Fineprint family includes a number of swash and alternate letterforms, which helps pull this quirky personal... Read More

Ulysses was created by English designer Timothy Donaldson in 1991, an impulsive, dynamic alphabet in handwritten style. The sketchy strokes, the clear slant to the right and the light stroke contrast lend the font its flow and energy. Ulysses suggests randomness and individuality and is therefore perfect for invitations, greeting cards and other personal correspondence.

Caflisch Script was designed by Robert Slimbach in 1993. The design is based on the handwriting of Max Caflisch, one of the foremost graphic designers of this century. Caflisch, a teacher of graphic arts for over three decades in Zurich, is author of several books on typography and designer of the 1952 Columna typeface. Caflisch´s handwriting has a free flowing yet disciplined character, the... Read More

In 1994, John Benson designed Alexa, Caliban and Balzano, three typefaces with a similar style. Characteristic of all of them is their calligraphic touch and the likeness to handwriting. Alexa shows a hint of a broad tipped pen style and its legible figures are reserved yet lively. Alexa is best for short and midsized texts as well as headlines and gives texts a personal, classic look.

In 1994, John Benson designed the typefaces Caliban, Alexa and Balzano, all with similar characteristics. The typefaces are distinguished by their calligraphic style and their closeness to handwritten script. Caliban looks as though it were written with a broad tipped pen, with reserved yet lively figures which retain their legibility. Caliban is a good typefaces to use in short and middle... Read More

The details that work for ITC Bradley Hand™ at smaller sizes, might be a little too distracting for some at larger, display sizes. Bradley Type™, is a little softer, more refined, and a touch more condensed - especially useful if space is an issue. It can be used as a compliment or counterpart to Bradley Hand, or on its own for short bursts of text or headlines.Richard Bradley explains, "I... Read More

Biffo was designed by David Marshall and produced in 1964. The alphabet in handwritten style has the character of writing done with a broad tipped pen. The figures are round and flexible, even its vertical strokes have rounded edges, softening the look of the characters. The basic forms show parallels with a pear shape: generous in the lower third and thinning out as they move upward. Biffo... Read More

FF Jackie is a semi-script/semi-sans series of typefaces. Its basic variants – in regular and bold weights – are inspired from the... Read More

Tekton font is based on the hand lettering of West Coast architect Frank Ching, who wrote out the text for his books. It is an Adobe Originals typeface designed by David Siegel in 1989. Tekton is ideal for architectural drawing/design software, to match the feel of the type with the designer´s plans, or to give the page an architectural or informal handwritten flavor. Tekton multiple master,... Read More

Because of its linear nature and relative loose fit, FF Alega may be used in a variety of circumstances, producing headlines or even for... Read More

Freestyle Script is the work of designer Martin Wait. It is an informal display typeface which perfectly renders the spontaneous qualities of hand-rendered brush lettering. Its capitals can be used alone in word settings and are complemented by an extensive lower case alphabet which includes ligatures of every imaginable variety.

Linotype Pegathlon is an unusual, eye-catching typeface, perfect for headlines and short texts. The bold strokes have a mystical, Asian touch and allow a large range of applications. Whether a text should look exotic or esoteric, Linotype Pegathlon is an excellent choice.

Zemke Hand was based on the handwriting of its creator, Deborah Zemke, who also designed the symbol font ITC Situations. Cheerful and carefree, the characters have the consciously sketchy look of printed handwriting. ITC Zemke Hand will please young and very young readers and is perfect for cartoons, comics and children's books.

Linotype Finerliner is part of the TakeType Library, chosen from the contestants of Linotype's International Digital Type Design Contest. The American artist Gary Munch, from whom we also have Linotype Ergo and Ergo Sketch, designed Linotype Finerliner as a handwriting font with calligraphic influences. The small, regularly formed lower case letters contrast nicely with the generous, sweeping... Read More

Challenge is the work of English designer Martin Wait. The brush lettering gives the typeface a unique, spontaneous quality. Capitals should be set closely and lowercase letters overlapped to produce the look of authentic handwriting. Challenge is at the same time informal and authoritative and good for a variety of display applications.