Cannot use TypeKit for Free Anymore?!

aisajib · Staff · Nov 23, 2011 at 4:57 pm
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Hi all!

So I have been using WordPress.com since early 2008 and I’ve enjoyed its constant improvements over the years. One amazing feature of the platform was the introduction of TypeKit on WordPress.com blogs which allowed us to use up to 2 free fonts on one WordPress.com blog using a trial account (free, actually, limited to 2 fonts per kit/account) on TypeKit. I have used this on my blog and later decided to remove it.

Now months later I’ve changed my mind and want to try one new font for my existing blog. However, while exploring WordPress.com dashboard, I discovered that although TypeKit still offers two fonts for free under a trial account, WordPress.com does not support TypeKit fonts unless I buy a custom design upgrade. I mean, is that even fair?

I’m posting this just to make sure that this is indeed impossible to use TypeKit ID in WordPress.com blog without having to purchase the custom design upgrade (Custom font upgrade or whatever you call it). Can you verify it? Anyone from WordPress.com?

The blog I need help with is: (visible only to logged in users)
timethief · Member · Nov 23, 2011 at 5:04 pm
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No we cannot use Typekit free of charge anymore. That changed when the new custom design upgrade was introduced.
timethief · Member · Nov 23, 2011 at 5:06 pm
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See > See How You Can Personalize Your Blog with Custom Fonts and CSS
airodyssey · Member · Nov 23, 2011 at 5:41 pm
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~~timethief
That post only gives examples of sites that effectively use Custom Design.
This is the official announcement of the new Custom Design upgrade and the grandfathering of free TypeKit on WordPress.com blogs: http://en.blog.wordpress.com/2011/06/15/new-upgrade-custom-design/

I consulted staff back then and if free TypeKit was already activated on your WordPress.com blog prior to June 15, 2011, you can still change the fonts but on TypeKit’s website directly. If you removed TypeKit or never installed it prior to that date, it’s too late I’m afraid, and you’ll need the Custom Design upgrade to change the fonts. (Or there’s the option to go self-hosted and install TypeKit as you would on a regular website).
aisajib · Staff · Nov 23, 2011 at 5:45 pm
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I have self-hosted blogs but I wanted this only for my personal blog which is hosted on WordPress.com.

It’s too unfair that they have blocked it for new users. :( This is one of the fewest times I’m heavily disappointed at WordPress.com service.
timethief · Member · Nov 23, 2011 at 5:50 pm
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@airodyssey
Thanks for the catch – bookmarking. :)
sharonharvey2 · Member · Nov 29, 2011 at 6:40 pm
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So you have to pay to have typekit now?
timethief · Member · Nov 29, 2011 at 6:42 pm
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Please read:
https://en.forums.wordpress.com/topic/cannot-use-typekit-for-free-anymore?replies=7#post-752368
https://en.forums.wordpress.com/topic/cannot-use-typekit-for-free-anymore?replies=7#post-752395
nefertizahra · Member · Dec 3, 2011 at 10:15 pm
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Hi,

I’ve had my type kit since May, but now WordPress won’t let me change my Header font. It’s saying I have to pay to update it. I see in the discussion above that since I had my Typekit before June, I should still be able to use it.

Please advise.
Thanx!
timethief · Member · Dec 3, 2011 at 10:32 pm
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You can still change the fonts but on TypeKit’s website directly. Did you try that? If you did then note that Volunteers cannot help you with that issue. You will have to contact Staff. Here’s the link http://en.support.wordpress.com/contact/
andrew · Member · Dec 4, 2011 at 3:05 pm
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I see the OP’s point. For certain people who want to use Typekit at WP.com, the Custom Design upgrade represents a price increase from 0 to $30 per blog per year.

For those of us who use CSS here, Custom Design is a price increase from $15 5o $30.

That said, I don’t regard this as unfair. It’s a business decision made by the WordPress/Automattic folks: the same folks who made WordPress available as free software. I can run WordPress anywhere I want to, with as much CSS as I want, without having to pay them a penny. Or I can make the decision to stay at WP.com.

If you can stand to read more of my thoughts on the change, see:

WordPress.com Custom Design: A Logical Price Rise?
timethief · Member · Dec 4, 2011 at 6:30 pm
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June 15th, 2011

With the Custom Design upgrade comes the ability to manage all your Typekit fonts settings from within your dashboard; you no longer need to make a roundtrip to Typekit and back to update the fonts on your blog.

If you are already using Typekit fonts on your blog, you are grandfathered in—meaning your fonts will continue to display as they do now but you’ll have limited editing and functionality. To take advantage of all the new features, we encourage you to upgrade to Custom Design. http://en.blog.wordpress.com/2011/06/15/new-upgrade-custom-design/
andrew · Member · Dec 4, 2011 at 7:17 pm
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Quoting TT’s quote:

If you are already using Typekit fonts on your blog, you are grandfathered in—meaning your fonts will continue to display as they do now but you’ll have limited editing and functionality.

I wish that there was similar grandfathering for CSS… but not a big deal.
timethief · Member · Dec 4, 2011 at 7:22 pm
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I do believe that those who already had a CSS upgrade may have received a coupon but I did not have the upgrade so a member who did have it will have to confirm that or Staff will have to confirm it.
nefertizahra · Member · Dec 7, 2011 at 7:00 am
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Thanx, timethief!

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