About custom and side loaded fonts

PunkyKoopa · 01-10-2022, 08:33 AM

Hi,

I like some of the preinstalled fonts but one the multiple reasons to switch to Kobo is the ability of fine tuning the fonts I use, so I will like to try some like Literata or Bookerly.

As far as I know, you have some options locked with side loaded fonts unless you apply a patch, right? I will like to avoid messing with custom firmware and stuff like that.

What do you guys do? Do you custom the font in your PC and then import them to Kobo? Do custom fonts works fine regarding spacing, margins and justification or are there any problems?

Thank you!

patrik · 01-10-2022, 08:41 AM

https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/Kobo_Fonts + the last entry at https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/Kobo_eReader

Patching and updating firmware is probably way easier than you imagine. As most things, the first time you need to go slow and read up on it, the second time it's very easy.

Sirtel · 01-10-2022, 08:44 AM

I patch my Kobos and one of the reasons (not the only one, though) is the ability to add weight to sideloaded fonts. Patching is pretty easy (I'm no hacker) and there have been no drawbacks for me. I would not want not use my Kobos without patching.

Edit: I use a custom font exclusively and have never encountered any issues.

John F · 01-10-2022, 09:35 AM

+1 for patching.

Before patching, I edited a font for line spacing (and maybe weight). As I recall, it is easier to patch then to edit fonts.

YMMV

PunkyKoopa · 01-10-2022, 10:08 AM

Thank you!

Is this the patch that I am looking for, right?

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...49&postcount=3

I don’t quite understand one thing. Each font has 4 variants, regular, bold, italic and italic bold, correct? The thing is that I downloaded Literata from Google and it has like 16 variants or so…

Also, do you know a trusty place to get the Bookerly font?

ZodWallop · 01-10-2022, 12:25 PM

For Literata, I would recommend Literata Book. I have both 'regular' Literata and Literata Book on my Kobo. I cannot remember the differences now, but I prefer Literata Book.

You do have to patch the firmware to get advanced font controls on sideloaded fonts, and I do use the patches. But to be honest, I never actually use the advanced options once they are enabled

Try adding sideloaded fonts without the patch if you don't want to mess with it. Odds are, you will be happy with it as is.

rtiangha · 01-10-2022, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PunkyKoopa

Also, do you know a trusty place to get the Bookerly font?

If you don't care about having the absolute latest version, Amazon makes the font available on their Typography site.

Otherwise, you'll need to extract it from the Kindle firmware yourself. There are How-Tos on this forum somewhere.

Sirtel · 01-10-2022, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PunkyKoopa

Thank you!

Is this the patch that I am looking for, right?

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...49&postcount=3

No, that's old. The current patches are all in one place, you just enable the ones you want.
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=342717

Sirtel · 01-10-2022, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

You do have to patch the firmware to get advanced font controls on sideloaded fonts, and I do use the patches. But to be honest, I never actually use the advanced options once they are enabled

Try adding sideloaded fonts without the patch if you don't want to mess with it. Odds are, you will be happy with it as is.

Dunno. I certainly couldn't live without advanced font controls. Most fonts are just too thin and pale for my taste without adjusting weight.

Uncle Robin · 01-10-2022, 01:50 PM

Another vote for patching here. The patches are super easy to install, and it's nice to have the option of using the advanced controls for one's sideloaded fonts, no even if seldom used. Editing fonts would be way too much like hard work for me, and represent lost reading time.

Skydog · 01-10-2022, 03:19 PM

Another vote for patching, not only for the ability to tweak your sideloaded fonts but also for customizing your Kobo in general. It is very easy to do and you will never look back.

DNSB · 01-10-2022, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PunkyKoopa

I don’t quite understand one thing. Each font has 4 variants, regular, bold, italic and italic bold, correct? The thing is that I downloaded Literata from Google and it has like 16 variants or so…

Also, do you know a trusty place to get the Bookerly font?

There have been a couple of fonts such as Literata that I've played with where I've used the medium variant for the regular and italic and the extra-bold for the bold and bold italic variants. Generally, I find that on eInk displays when using fonts that were not designed for eInk, I need to increase the weight which using the medium and extra-bold variants works around. I've used FontForge to correct the font metadata.

PunkyKoopa · 01-11-2022, 02:39 AM

Thank you!

While I don’t patch my Kobo, the one and only thing missing will be the option the change the weight of the font, right? It is the same thing as bold?

I will add some fonts and in the weekend with more time I will apply the patch.

Sirtel · 01-11-2022, 04:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PunkyKoopa

Thank you!

While I don’t patch my Kobo, the one and only thing missing will be the option the change the weight of the font, right? It is the same thing as bold?

I will add some fonts and in the weekend with more time I will apply the patch.

It's not the same thing as bold. You can adjust the weight in small increments. As sometimes some text is bolded in books, that must still be discernible, so I never raise the weight to the same level as the bold variant.

PunkyKoopa · 01-11-2022, 06:17 AM

I see. To put it simple, when you use Word or Pages or the text processor of your choice and you change the text to bold, you are just adjusting the weight in a greater increment.

So I need to use the regular version of the font and if I feel that’s too light, I should use a heavier version as regular and rename the metadata accordingly, right?

The heavier font I use as “base” font the heavier it will be when I adjust it in Kobo to the maximum weight, right?

For reference, on my Kindle and always used Bookerly with the base weight.

01-10-2022, 08:33 AM	#1
PunkyKoopa Connoisseur Posts: 98 Karma: 243754 Join Date: Jan 2022 Device: Kobo Libra 2	About custom and side loaded fonts Hi, I like some of the preinstalled fonts but one the multiple reasons to switch to Kobo is the ability of fine tuning the fonts I use, so I will like to try some like Literata or Bookerly. As far as I know, you have some options locked with side loaded fonts unless you apply a patch, right? I will like to avoid messing with custom firmware and stuff like that. What do you guys do? Do you custom the font in your PC and then import them to Kobo? Do custom fonts works fine regarding spacing, margins and justification or are there any problems? Thank you!

01-11-2022, 06:17 AM	#15
PunkyKoopa Connoisseur Posts: 98 Karma: 243754 Join Date: Jan 2022 Device: Kobo Libra 2	I see. To put it simple, when you use Word or Pages or the text processor of your choice and you change the text to bold, you are just adjusting the weight in a greater increment. So I need to use the regular version of the font and if I feel that’s too light, I should use a heavier version as regular and rename the metadata accordingly, right? The heavier font I use as “base” font the heavier it will be when I adjust it in Kobo to the maximum weight, right? For reference, on my Kindle and always used Bookerly with the base weight. Last edited by PunkyKoopa; 01-11-2022 at 06:20 AM.

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01-10-2022, 08:41 AM	#2
patrik Guru Posts: 682 Karma: 4568205 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Sweden Device: Kobo Forma	https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/Kobo_Fonts + the last entry at https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/Kobo_eReader Patching and updating firmware is probably way easier than you imagine. As most things, the first time you need to go slow and read up on it, the second time it's very easy.

01-10-2022, 08:44 AM	#3
Sirtel Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,330 Karma: 238311259 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Estonia Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2	I patch my Kobos and one of the reasons (not the only one, though) is the ability to add weight to sideloaded fonts. Patching is pretty easy (I'm no hacker) and there have been no drawbacks for me. I would not want not use my Kobos without patching. Edit: I use a custom font exclusively and have never encountered any issues.

01-10-2022, 09:35 AM	#4
John F Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,886 Karma: 70186493 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Kobo Clara 2E	+1 for patching. Before patching, I edited a font for line spacing (and maybe weight). As I recall, it is easier to patch then to edit fonts. YMMV

01-10-2022, 10:08 AM	#5
PunkyKoopa Connoisseur Posts: 98 Karma: 243754 Join Date: Jan 2022 Device: Kobo Libra 2	Thank you! Is this the patch that I am looking for, right? https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...49&postcount=3 I don’t quite understand one thing. Each font has 4 variants, regular, bold, italic and italic bold, correct? The thing is that I downloaded Literata from Google and it has like 16 variants or so… Also, do you know a trusty place to get the Bookerly font?

01-10-2022, 12:25 PM	#6
ZodWallop Gentleman and scholar Posts: 11,471 Karma: 111164374 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Space City, Texas Device: Clara BW; Nook ST w/Glowlight, Paperwhite 3	For Literata, I would recommend Literata Book. I have both 'regular' Literata and Literata Book on my Kobo. I cannot remember the differences now, but I prefer Literata Book. You do have to patch the firmware to get advanced font controls on sideloaded fonts, and I do use the patches. But to be honest, I never actually use the advanced options once they are enabled Try adding sideloaded fonts without the patch if you don't want to mess with it. Odds are, you will be happy with it as is.

01-10-2022, 01:50 PM	#10
Uncle Robin Diligent dilettante Posts: 3,661 Karma: 52758936 Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: in my mind Device: Kobo Sage; Kobo Libra Colour	Another vote for patching here. The patches are super easy to install, and it's nice to have the option of using the advanced controls for one's sideloaded fonts, no even if seldom used. Editing fonts would be way too much like hard work for me, and represent lost reading time.

01-10-2022, 03:19 PM	#11
Skydog Wizard Posts: 2,286 Karma: 7409537 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Circling Earth @ Mach .83 Device: Elipsa 2E, Sage, Libra Colour, Libra 2, Clara 2E, Oasis3, Voyage	Another vote for patching, not only for the ability to tweak your sideloaded fonts but also for customizing your Kobo in general. It is very easy to do and you will never look back.

01-11-2022, 02:39 AM	#13
PunkyKoopa Connoisseur Posts: 98 Karma: 243754 Join Date: Jan 2022 Device: Kobo Libra 2	Thank you! While I don’t patch my Kobo, the one and only thing missing will be the option the change the weight of the font, right? It is the same thing as bold? I will add some fonts and in the weekend with more time I will apply the patch.

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