Platform & Format questions
— Are PSY/OPS fonts also available for the PC?
— Are PSY/OPS fonts cross-platform portable?
— How do I access special characters in Windows?
— Will PSY/OPS offer OpenType fonts?
— Are PostScript and TrueType fonts interchangeable?
About the Collection
— Have certain fonts disappeared from the PSY/OPS collection?
— Are PSY/OPS fonts available from other distributors?
— Is the complete Library available on CD?
Website / Technical
— Why don't PDF files download to my computer?
— I can't see any images on your website. What's happening?
— Some webpages only seem to load part-way. What's happening?
— Why do zoomed type specimens look flattened?
Contact us if your question isn't answered here.
PLATFORM & FORMAT QUESTIONS
Q: Are PSY/OPS fonts also available for the PC?
A: Yes. We offer both PostScript and TrueType PC versions. Certain fonts, generally the newest releases, may not be ready at the time you check the site, but these are completed within 24-48 hours on a per-request basis. This means we re-prioritize our PC production roster according your needs. To check the availability of a particular design, visit the 'Info' section at the bottom of its specimen page. If you need a PC version-in-progress in a hurry, contact us: we can often complete the conversion and testing within the same day.
Q: Are PSY/OPS fonts cross-platform 'portable'?
A: No, most fonts do not have true cross-platform portability; though for the most part you can still expect solid results if you're moving your documents from Mac to PC or vice versa: you may just need to re-select fonts upon arrival. Creating truly portable fonts requires the sacrifice of a range of character slots which can otherwise be used for alternate / bonus characters. Portable fonts also require adherence to a very limited naming convention (Regular, Italic, Bold, Bold Italic) which is only useful to the most traditional and basic family structures.
Q: How do I access 'special' characters in Windows?
A: Special characters are accessed using an ALT key code. Use a character mapping utility to find the code for the character you need. Make sure the 'Num Lock' key is ON. Hold down the ALT key and type the appropriate four digit code using the number keypad on the right side of your keyboard (not the numbers on the top row). To enable the ALT codes on laptops with no numeric keypad, first select the Function key, then the Num Lock, then the Alt-XXXX code.
Q: Will PSY/OPS offer OpenType fonts?
A: We do plan to offer OpenType editions of our fonts once the format gains wider support by application developers. OpenType offers many advantages, including a unified and portable data structure, intelligent digraph/ligature substitution, extended character tables, and embedding security features.
Q: Are PostScript and TrueType fonts interchangeable?
A: Not if you require any sort of precision in your layouts. Each format has its own distinct way of dealing with the font data, and variations in spacing and rendering will show up if you switch back and forth. Additionally, operating systems can become confused if both versions of the same font are simultaneously active. We recommend sticking to one format.
ABOUT THE COLLECTION
Q: Have certain fonts disappeared from the PSY/OPS collection?
A: Over the last few years we have indeed retired some typefaces. Our goal has never been to create a voluminous, catch-all font collection. Fonts, new and old alike, must now live up to high technical, functional, and aesthetic standards in order to remain in the active collection. Certain retired designs may still be purchased, either at PSY/OPS or elsewhere. They are listed here.
Q: Are PSY/OPS fonts available from other distributors?
A: A few early designs are available through other font distributors; and Eidetic Neo is co-distributed with Emigre. Apart from this, PSY/OPS no longer sublicenses its work. Why? Because every time a design is sublicensed, royalty revenue and legal control is funneled away from the actual type designer and over to middle men. While it's true that sublicensing provides greater exposure to a typeface, royalty revenue can quickly become pennies per sale, and designer credit can erode dramatically as the typeface filters down through layers of distribution, each one more impersonal and homogenous than the last. :: PSY/OPS' original mission includes upholding designers' rights, and making sure they are the prime beneficiaries of their creative work. As such, we pay a higher royalty rate than any comparable foundry, and we consult with designers before making any special licensing decisions. :: Ultimately, thanks to the this website, our signature typefaces can be purchased directly, regardless of proximity or regionality.
Q: Is the complete Library available on CD?
A: Yes, the Library is made available on CD (Macintosh only). The pricing, which offers dramatic savings, is adjusted as the library grows. Contact us to get the latest pricing, and to discover why leading media companies and creative agencies have already taken advantage of the library deal.
WEBSITE / TECHNICAL
Q: Why don't PDF files download to my computer?
A: The way PDF files are handled depends on your web browser's capabilities and settings. If clicking on a 'PDF Download' button or link instead opens a web page, it is because your browser is relying on an Acrobat plug-in to display the document inline. In this case, you can click the disk icon in the toolbar to save the PDF to your disk. Adjust your browser's preferences (under 'File Helpers' or similar) so that it handles PDFs in the manner you prefer.
Q: I can't see any images on your website. What's happening?
A: This site relies on Macromedia Shockwave (4.0+) for much of its visual content. If your browser is not Shockwave-enabled, images will not be visible. You can get the shockwave plug-in for your browswer, or switch to a newer browser. :: If you prefer not to add Shockwave to your browser at this time, you will not be able to view specimens, however you can still request a printed catalog at our Belong! page; or download your own PDF catalog; and read about PSY/OPS and its services.
Q: Some webpages only seem to load part-way. What's happening?
A: Incomplete page loads may be due to memory limitations for your browser, stalled internet connections, or a combination of the two. Try decaching your browser; relaunching it with more memory allocated; and/or reconnecting to the internet.
Q: Why do zoomed type specimens look flattened?
A: If you zoom in on type specimens to the highest magnification, you may notice instances of distortion, particularly in delicate areas like serifs and brackets. This is due to the way Shockwave compresses & displays images, and is NOT related to the actual construction of the letterforms. Despite this glitch, the benefits of Shockwave still make it the best option for displaying specimens online. :: To zoom: Control-click over a specimen block (Mac); or right-click (Windows). Click-and-drag to scroll the magnified image.