Custom Font Design - Pricing?

Julia Bausenhardt

Hello everyone,
I have a client inquiry for a custom script font design, Western European glyph set, 1 weight, probably with small capitals, possibly with alternate characters. They want exclusive rights (complete ownership). Are there guidelines for pricing this type of job? Thanks in advance.  

Jack Jennings

Related: http://typedrawers.com/discussion/733/unlimited-licensing/p1

Thomas Phinney

Here's a reasonable discussion: https://www.quora.com/How-much-does-it-cost-to-custom-design-a-typeface

where I also linked to this TypeDrawers discussion: http://typedrawers.com/discussion/167/price-quotation-for-a-new-custom-font/p1
 

Malcolm Wooden

The formula for costing a project is very simple. ( Cost = time + rights). It's the values you apply to the variables that are the problem and only you can decide those based on your circumstances.

Don't forget that there maybe other tasks to consider in costing, such as OT feature engineering, hinting, checking and validating.

Julia Bausenhardt

Thanks a lot for the links, very helpful!

Thomas Phinney

Just to add to Malcolm's comments on what feeds into time: bug fixes, client feedback and other factors can come into play.

You need to have a careful dialog with the client about usage and expectations as well. for example, making what is nominally a web font version is not hard. But if they want it to perform as well as Verdana at 8-14 px on Windows? Well, that's a whole boatload of hinting work, plus you may need to actually have a differently designs and spaced variant of the typeface just for screen use.

Julia Bausenhardt

Thanks Thomas, I have been thinking about these factors, too. You previous discussions have helped me a lot in figuring out where I want to position myself in the price range and what I will offer them.