Subject in evaluation · Font technology
Colour fonts and complex OpenType fonts
How colour layers, SVG glyphs, contextual features and complex outlines affect support and performance.
Modern fonts can contain colour layers, SVG artwork, variable axes and contextual substitutions, but support differs by browser and application. A safe fallback and progressive preview are essential.
More than black outlines
Colour font technologies can store palettes, layered vector shapes, bitmap strikes or SVG artwork. The same file may look different—or fall back to monochrome—depending on the operating system, browser and application.
OpenType behaviour
Contextual substitutions, ligatures and stylistic sets can change glyphs according to neighbouring text. The specimen must shape complete text rather than render isolated characters if it is meant to demonstrate this behaviour accurately.
- COLR/CPAL colour layers
- SVG glyph artwork
- Variable axes
- Contextual alternates
- Stylistic sets and ligatures
Keep the catalogue fast
Font Trust loads only a lightweight specimen in general lists. Full colour or highly complex rendering belongs on the individual font page; unusually heavy files open in the isolated Font Lab with an explicit loading notice.
This guide explains general font practice and the permissions displayed by Font Trust. The complete licence attached to a specific font remains the controlling text.