Recommendations: Major Font Distributors

Supherb

Hey there peeps,

Finally, I have my web foundry up and running, but now, I am considering putting my fonts on a major font distribution site, just to help with promotion.

Myfonts seems to be the biggest platform available, but taking 75% from every sale seems to be robbery and/or theft.

Creativemarket seems like the next best option, bet they still take a whopping 50% from every sale.

From your personal experience,

Do you use any of these major platforms?
Do the pros outweigh the cons?
Would you recommend them?
Has it helped boost your sales?
Would you say it's worth it?
Any other viable options?

DanRhatigan

Just to clarify one thing, I'll quote from Monotype's FAQ about distribution: 

“Our simple royalty structure is designed to match how we do business today and provide clarity and certainty for foundries: 50% for your fonts sold on myfonts.com, and 25% for everything else. There are no additional costs. The 25% rate covers Monotype Fonts, orders sold by our enterprise sales teams, and any revenue from enforcement-related orders. These orders have a lower royalty rate because they are more complicated, expensive, and time consuming to conduct.”

John Hudson

Enterprise sales should be an à la carte service provided to font makers by distributors, and the cut to the distributor should be negotiated on a case-by-case basis with the onus on the distributor to demonstrate value-for-money.

Ray Larabie

A few things to think about: one key factor is how each distributor handles embedding licenses. Some offer a subscription model for embedded use, often with a low entry price, great for customers with tight budgets. Others might provide perpetual, all-inclusive licenses for a one-time fee.

In my case, the majority of my income comes from subscriptions and enterprise deals. So, while it can be tempting to push volume, it may not be worth risking those larger, high-value sales. Be especially cautious…some distributors have been known to drastically undercut enterprise bids, and I’ve seen firsthand how that can backfire.

Fortunately, some platforms let you opt out of certain license types if needed. Ultimately, it depends on how you want to position yourself. Maybe your focus is on Creative Market’s budget-conscious, younger crowd. Or maybe you're aiming for a boutique vibe, or targeting corporate buyers with deep pockets.

Also worth noting: Font Bros doesn’t pull the same traffic as the major players, but they offer the best commission rates I’ve seen.

Fie Clarke

If your main reason to join one of these sites is for promotion/increased visibility then you may be disappointed. While being on such a platform does put you in a place people naturally go its also worth considering the size of the "pond" so to speak and if you entering as a little fish or a big fish. There is a vast amount of foundries and fonts that you're competing with. Its also worth looking at more than just the royalties - the agreements cover a lot more 

Relating to your list of questions 
Yes im on myfonts, I have few fonts on there, not my whole library but im on the old agreement.

When I first joined it did - 2017ish but as the years have gone on, no. I started with out 3 fonts and as a tiny foundry was very happy with my sales - it wasn't many but I was happy. Over the years I added a few more, increased promotion but sales were going down. 
Pros and Cons are very subjective though and im on the old agreement which you won't have as an option. The terms are quite different and im not 100% on what can and can't be shared but for me personally it's not for me. 

If I was looking to join tomorrow, in my current position, on the current agreement it would be strong no. But that's with knowing all I know and what works best for me 

For a while I did have a few sales and it was a boost but they aren't constant or consistent. I find it difficult to measure how many people visit the font page vs buy 

Personally for me, wasn't worth it, not anymore. 
For the fonts I sell direct the licensing structure is very different, and with different pricing. I have all the data on how many people see my marketing, how many click though and who buys and I can give them the option to join my mailing list. 


As wonderful as feedback and thoughts from others are, every foundry works differently and what works for one may not work for another. If you find a platform and you're happy with the agreement and all it entails then it might be worth a go. You'll still have to do marketing though, the platform wont do it for you and being on a platform isn't marketing.