Monotype Debuts Open Type Features for Web Fonts at Fonts.com

Mike Rankin

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Press Release

Monotype Imaging Holdings Inc., a leading provider of typefaces, technology and expertise for creative applications and consumer devices, has released a new cloud-based technology that allows support for advanced, OpenType features in all popular browsers that support Web fonts and HTML5. Available to all subscribers of Monotype’s Fonts.com Web Fonts service, the first-of-its kind capability enables Web designers to use discretionary ligatures, small caps, fractions and other typographic features available in OpenType fonts, regardless of whether full, native support for OpenType features is available through the browser.

“This significantly expands typographic freedom for Web designers,” said Sampo Kaasila, head of Monotype’s research and development team. “Support for OpenType features is still not broadly available in Web browsers today, although they are moving in the right direction, with nearly all the most recent releases offering some level of OpenType support. We’re simply providing a valuable helping hand by enabling full use today.”

Using Monotype’s new solution, Web designers are able to use standard CSS techniques for controlling OpenType features, while relying on Fonts.com Web Fonts to ensure that pages render properly, as intended, regardless of the browser the visitor is using. When working on their Fonts.com Web Fonts project, users can use the OpenType feature control to activate individual OpenType features.

Web designers are able to see which OpenType features are available in a selected font and which features are being used in selected text. Monotype plans to release hundreds of additional Web fonts containing OpenType features this year while enhancing the OpenType feature tool to provide greater control to designers for specifying when and which OpenType features are applied to a selection of text.

Use of Monotype’s OpenType feature technology is open to all Fonts.com Web Fonts subscribers. A detailed FAQ is available on how to use the new technology at https://www.fonts.com/support/faq/opentype-features-tab.

About Monotype 
Monotype is a leading global provider of typefaces, technology and expertise that enable the best user experience and ensure brand integrity. Based in Woburn, Mass., Monotype provides customers worldwide with typeface solutions for a broad range of creative applications and consumer devices. The company’s library and e-commerce sites are home to many of the most widely used typefaces – including the Helvetica®, Frutiger® and Univers® families – as well as the next generation of type designs. Further information is available athttps://www.monotype.com.

Monotype, Helvetica and Frutiger are trademarks of Monotype Imaging Inc. registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and may be registered in certain jurisdictions. Univers is a trademark of Linotype GmbH registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and may be registered in certain jurisdictions. OpenType is either a registered trademark or trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2013 Monotype Imaging Holdings Inc. All rights reserved.