How to style text using variable fonts.

HOW-TO • DESIGN AND LAYOUT

Variable fonts let you quickly and precisely customize your designs. With over 150 new additions to the Adobe Fonts library, there are more options than ever.

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A font of possibilities.

With variable fonts, the whole family of styles is under one roof, so you can keep customizing to get your look just right.

Choose your variable font.

Head to the Adobe Fonts website. Select Browse all fonts, and then use the category tag under Font Technology to view the available variable fonts. Once you’ve selected a font, simply click the toggle button to activate it.

Tip: You can activate Adobe Fonts from any mobile or desktop device. Adobe Creative Cloud currently supports variable fonts in Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.

Start with a preset.

Now head to your design file in Adobe Illustrator. Select text and set it in your newly synced variable font, which includes the whole family of styles in a single file. Go to Properties > Character to select a preset style from the dropdown menu.

Slide into your own style.

With variable fonts, each preset style can be further customized. Click the Variable Font icon to access these slider settings. Different variable fonts will have different settings. For Snug (shown here), you can adjust the x-height, width, and weight. Slide into the style that best suits your project.

Keep styling.

One variable font contains many possibilities. Continue adjusting your text styles to explore how different styles can shape the tone, mood, and personality of your design.