How to Create a Custom Font in Adobe Illustrator in Under 10 Minutes
Learn how to transform vector paths and artboards into fully functional OpenType (.otf) and TrueType (.ttf) fonts directly inside Adobe Illustrator with DIYFonts.
From Vector Artboards to Installable Fonts
Traditionally, type designers had to export hundreds of SVG files from Adobe Illustrator and import them one by one into standalone font editors like FontLab or Glyphs App. With DIYFonts v1.0.3, that entire friction is gone.
Step 1: Setting Up Your Character Grid
Organize your letterforms on separate Illustrator artboards. Standard names like A, B, C, a, b, c, exclam, and question are recognized automatically.
Step 2: Optical Auto-Spacing & Kerning
Spacing is 50% of good typography. DIYFonts analyzes the Bézier contours of adjacent shapes to calculate optical sidebearings and kerning pairs (like AV, Ta, Yo) in milliseconds.
Step 3: 1-Click Export & Direct In-App Test
Click "Export Font" to build TTF, OTF, WOFF, and WOFF2 files. Even better, use "Direct In-App Install" to immediately start typing with your new font in Illustrator without restarting!
Try DIYFonts & DIYglyphs in Illustrator
Export font families with auto-spacing and 60 FPS interpolation without leaving Illustrator.