Mockup, Fonts Download Tips & tricks!
source (Mockup) : https://x.com/vadanadava/status/1994415050589913313
Source (Fonts) : https://x.com/avec_camer/status/2018709000989310977
Q: How do you identify and download mockups or font licenses, and how do you distinguish them?
A:
- I only search for commercial-free (commercial use) terms.
- There are no usage quantity restrictions.
- They can be used for both print and web (excluding embedding) = There are no real restrictions on the projects I use them for.
- Not a monthly subscription (If the quantity is large enough to justify a monthly subscription, we will pay a monthly subscription.)
- https://99designs.com/blog/tips/dos-and-donts-of-design-mockups/ The dos and don’ts of design mockups
- When downloading design materials such as mockups and fonts from the Telegram channel, please use them for non-commercial purposes. If you intend to use them commercially, click the URL within the Telegram post at https://imgur.com/r7iEZjf https://imgur.com/7oLs0ge to check the license and obtain permission for commercial use. If you can't find the source, copy and paste the URLs below into Google search https://imgur.com/Ymljs5a https://imgur.com/jiEg14r https://imgur.com/MMzjJtg
We favor sites meeting these criteria.
Important note
- When searching Google for free mockup sites, if clicking a mockup file redirects you to another site, it's a [site aggregating free mockup file links]. [Always double-check the detailed license terms on the original site]
- Most font and mockup sites prohibit sharing original files. If requested, provide a download link for the original file
(This is usually stated in the license or key notices on most mockup or font sites; you can find it if you look) - If you don't yet have the ability to create and use mockups yourself,
for non-commercial purposes, download anything from any frequently visited mockup site.
Find mockups created by various people, and learn how to make mockups by carefully examining multiple people's PSD files. - Some mockup sites have files containing .png files that are disorganized and untidy.
While I'm not sure about premium mockups sold for a fee, there have been cases of people being scammed.
Therefore, if you feel uneasy about purchasing paid mockups, I recommend using free mockups or buying from reputable sources.
Q: What should I know about font copyright?
A:
Even if a font is commercially free to use,
you must carefully verify its permitted usage scope before using it.
Since some sites offer paid fonts,
be sure to check and confirm.
For example,
when searching for English font download sites,
it's hard to find 100% free sites, so I also looked at sites that include paid options.
To be cautious about copyright, here's what you should know first:
OFL: Permits free use, study, modification, and redistribution as long as the licensed font itself is not sold.
100% Free: Free for all uses, including commercial use.
Free for personal use: Free only for personal practice or assignments; prohibited for use with paid income.
Demo: An unfinished font (not for commercial use)
Donationware: Free or paid, with a donation request upon use
Shareware: Similar to Free for personal use / For personal use only
for personal and commercial use: For both personal and commercial use
Not all fonts are free for commercial use.
Always check the license type on each font file or its detail page.
Make it a habit to check for ‘100% Free’ or ‘Public domain’ when searching.
To further explain.
Paid fonts
If you use a font you haven't paid for, it constitutes copyright infringement.
Typically, companies purchase them,
but if you ask how they find you,
an email is sent directly to you and your company.
Combining fonts for use is also problematic.
You might think converting fonts to images makes copyright enforcement difficult,
but that's ancient history. Better to be cautious.
Interestingly,
don't know Cyrillic (Russian)
but there was also an incident in China where someone freely used
Chinese fonts without copyright awareness and was caught by a Chinese font company.
There's an actual case where a company worked like that,
got a certified letter, and ended up purchasing the font.
After receiving the certified letter, the font you have to buy is likely quite expensive,
and they reportedly force you to buy it as a set.
If you purchased and used it, there wouldn't be an issue,
but they demand to see the purchase date and all the work files.
Since company files are shared,
it's common for people to take work done by others and use it.
If the source seems unclear, you need to be careful.
In such cases, they ask for the name of the designer involved,
or if it's outsourced, they ask for the name of the outsourced designer.
However, it will likely state that you must not modify the font file itself.
In fact, it means you must not tamper with the font software file itself.
You simply must not modify the internal code or change the font name before distribution.
Modifying the shape of the characters is fine.