How to Install Fonts in Photoshop or PSE

Last week a question was asked on EE’s Facebook pag about how to install fonts in Photoshop Elements. The question has been asked to me many, many times, so I really should have done this post long ago and apologize for the delay.

So, let’s say you found some wonderfully terrific custom fonts at a site like Dafont.com but don’t know where to go from there.

First thing you should do is move the zip file into a folder where you can store all things that you use in PSE, to make it easier to back it up. I have a “PSE Catch” folder that holds all of these:

  • Actions
  • Fonts
  • Shapes
  • Brushes
  • Patterns
  • Gradients

After you have the font zip file safely stored in a folder you can easily locate (mine is on my desktop), then you need to extract it.

  • On a PC, simply right click and choose extract all
  • On a Mac, simply double click

Once the file is extracted, click into the folder containing the font. You will see a file name with either a .ttf file ending or .otf.

  • ttf = true type font and it is a basic, straightforward type, meaning what you see is what you get
  • otf = open type font and it is a more complex font, meaning there may be more letter styles, flourishes, etc available (only accessible in Photoshop, not PSE)

To install the font simply click ON THE FONT FILE NAME and when the font box comes open, click on the word ‘Install.’ The font will be copied to  your Windows/Finder font folder.

Button to click to install fonts on a PC

Button to click to install fonts on a Mac

 

The last thing  you need to do is start (or restart) your Photoshop Elements or Photoshop, and the font will be in the list when you have the type tool activated.

There is a whole lot more about type/fonts that we need to discuss, but I wanted to keep this tutorial sweet and simple. I’ll talk about fonts again in the next few weeks, in at least two separate posts, because they will need to be PSE and Photoshop specific. Those two programs don’t differ a lot in terms of editing, but they start to break apart when it comes to fonts and graphics.

 

About Amanda

I am passionate about helping others learn how to use their DSLR cameras and editing programs. More information about me can be found at my About page, or by visiting my personal blog.

Comments

  1. Heidi B says:

    Hi Amanda!

    I’m just getting into Photoshop….when you install the programme, where is the default font file kept? Can you delete fonts you don’t want etc? Thanks so much!

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