Drawar

Well considering the amount of use most get I would say it's reasonable if you divide the price by your application of the typeface.

If you bought a single typeface @ $100 and used it 20 times you're paying $5 for each of those uses... so.

I agree a good type can not only go a long way with the project but set you up well for many more. Unlike stock images there just isn't a stock / cheaper resource of the quality in typography. More than likely I do think it's the time intensive nature of a good type set. Bottom line is a good type can often be the missing link in design - logos it's is usually a make or break. I can think of the amount of times I've seen a wonderful logo that was bar a little tweaking just an amazing type.

Typefaces I've purchased recently were about $15-30 for a single weight, but those were from independent foundries with typography produced by independent designers, not Adobe employees for example. You can find some amazing typefaces at reasonable prices if you check out a variety of places and not just the big houses.

I agree with Mike... do some searching and TRY to stay off Adobe if you can... your wallet will thank you.

I've had to buy some fonts before and found one that worked for $10 @ some random type place... MUCH better than the $89 from Adobe.

Although it REALLY helps to have the Adobe Type collection at your disposal ;)

In regards to Adobe and "independent" foundries...I can't think of the last time I purchased any typefaces from Adobe. Pretty much everyplace I've used in the past has been a small foundry.

I know people that live only to buy from Adobe and honestly I think that's a bit small sighted as Adobe is a reputable source... but they don't have EVERYTHING and they ARE more expensive. I still git the "but Adobe kicks ass!" line though.

Personally I've got a veer addiction going on. I don't think I ever brought a type from Adobe - not that I can remember.

Fonts have always seemed overpriced to me...But maybe that's because I'm a developer primarily and don't get much (if any) reuse out of fonts. I'd say that a base of around $20-30 and an additional $5-10 per variation would be reasonable.

Myfonts.com for the win! They house some of the big foundries as well as some smaller ones. Love! :)

I'm with RightOn.

Once you pay, you normally use it an untold number of times - especially if the purchase is to be used for corporate work (guidelines, promotional material, advertising campaigns, corporate identity).

I'm not sure I have the patience for typeface design. I certainly don't have the time at present, so there's much respect for the designers.

Interesting topic. Sorry for jumping in a bit late on this one.

I'm just starting out in this game so to me the price of fonts seems horrendous! But like you say you get a lifetimes use out of it so you can at least try and get your moneys worth.

I'm interested to know if designers ever charge their client for font fees, like they do for stock photography, or if designers normally just build up a font library out of their own funds?

I ALWAYS charge the client for acquiring materials for their projects... if I have to buy stock photo's, fonts, plugins etc... you get billed for it. :)

But if you charge your client for the font, wouldn't they then technically own it? Meaning it should be installed on their computer for future use and not yours?

Not if you cost it as a material... They're buying the output of the contract, not the process.

ditto