For those passionate about typography and typefaces, staying connected with independent type foundries provides invaluable insights into the ever-evolving world of type design. Often run by talented individuals or small teams, these studios are at the forefront of pushing the boundaries of typography. Their creations range from avant-garde typefaces and fresh reinterpretations of traditional styles to custom-made solutions for specific branding needs.
Following these type foundries on platforms like Instagram or Threads offers more than just visual inspiration—it provides a behind-the-scenes look at their latest projects and creative processes. Engaging with their content allows typography enthusiasts to understand emerging trends and the meticulous craftsmanship involved in type design. In September 2024, Athens-based graphic designer Filippos Fragkogiannis curated a list of ten standout type foundries, each offering a unique perspective, from bold experimentation to timeless elegance.
1. Nikolas Type
Founded in Cologne in 2019 by German graphic designer Nikolas Wrobel, Nikolas Type has quickly gained a reputation for its distinctive and stylish typefaces. Specialising in retail and custom designs for both analogue and digital media, Nikolas Type combines traditional influences with modern aesthetic elements, producing expressive and dynamic typefaces. Their well-thought-out catalogue includes notable releases such as Cosi Times, Cosi Azure, Grand Slang and the recently released Solare. Nikolas Type’s typefaces offer a fresh, unique perspective, making them particularly well-suited for editorial, packaging and branding projects.
2. ALT.tf
Emerging from the Femme Type initiative by Type 01, ALT.tf is a digital type foundry focused on nurturing the work of women and underrepresented designers in type design and typography. Established in 2022, the foundry collaborates with designers from diverse backgrounds to produce original and progressive typefaces for both digital and print applications. ALT.tf’s catalogue includes notable typefaces such as ALT Rigatoni, ALT Maria Clara and ALT Riviera, among others.
3. Zetafonts Type Foundry
Zetafonts, founded in Florence, Italy, in 2001 by Francesco Canovaro, Debora Manetti, and Cosimo Lorenzo Pancini, is an award-winning type foundry known for its prolific portfolio of contemporary type families and revival fonts. Zetafonts collaborates with major brands on bespoke typographic solutions and offers multi-script branding consultancy. The foundry also promotes typographic culture through initiatives like TypeCampus, conferences and type design courses. Notable typefaces from their collection include Arsenica, Lovelace, Marcovaldo and Etrusco Now.
4. Pizza Typefaces
Founded in 2018 by Adrien Midzic and Luc Borho, Pizza Typefaces is a French type design studio recognised for its originality. The studio creates both custom and retail typefaces, in addition to providing web typography solutions and consulting services. Pizza Typefaces is especially renowned for its variable typefaces. Its partner network allows them to work with customers on various projects that are diverse and intercultural. Notable typefaces from their catalogue include Kern, Orelo, Campingo and Pleasure, all of which are exclusively available from their online shop.
5. Gradient Type
Based in Bergen, Norway, Gradient Type was founded by Milos Mitrovic and is celebrated for its innovative approach to type design. Gradient focuses on producing high-quality typefaces and type systems that challenge conventional typography. The foundry has collaborated with global corporations and renowned design agencies, creating typefaces that balance aesthetic refinement with functionality. Notable faces from their collection are PolySans, Radial, Kokoro and Linear Sans.
6. ReType Foundry
Based in The Hague, Netherlands, ReType Foundry was founded in 2007 by Ramiro Espinoza and is managed alongside editorial designer Paula Mastrangelo. ReType has developed a strong reputation for making first-class typefaces for print and web media, with high regard to editorial design and Dutch typographic traditions. ReType combines technical precision with aesthetic care in creating typefaces that are functional and visually engaging. Notable typefaces from their catalogue include Dejanire, Guyot Sans, Reiher and Tomate. ReType also designs custom typefaces and fine tunes existing fonts.
7. Displaay Type Foundry
Displaay is a type foundry and design studio based in Prague, Czech Republic, founded in 2014 by Martin Vácha. It produces distinctive typefaces that fill specific gaps in the market. Drawing inspiration from imperfection and irregularities, Displaay offers a wide selection of retail typefaces. Their portfolio includes notable releases such as Roobert, Azeret, Matter, Jokker, Bagoss and Greed. Displaay Type Foundry is dedicated to providing direct customer service, regular updates, and quality control in collaboration with designers and studios worldwide.
8. Lift Type
Lift Type is an independent digital type foundry set up in 2014 in Montpellier, France, by Romain Oudin and Nicolas Aubert. It produces a range of retail and bespoke fonts, occasionally publishing free, limited-edition typefaces. Emphasising creativity and quality, Lift Type ensures that each typeface meets the diverse needs of its clients, from editorial projects to branding initiatives. Notable typefaces in their catalogue include Tartuffo, Baste, Mint Grotesk and Kaio Krilin.
9. Omnibus Type
Established in 2011 in Argentina, Omnibus Type is a collaborative type foundry that brings together designers from various cultural backgrounds. Renowned for advancing web typography, Omnibus integrates academic research with practical insights to produce top-notch webfonts that meet aesthetic and technical demands. Their portfolio includes typefaces such as Chivo, Archivo, Saira and Faustina, as well as custom fonts for specific brands. Omnibus Type is also known for producing variable fonts and contributing to open-source projects like Google Fonts, advancing typography for new applications, languages and technologies.
10. W Type Foundry
Founded in 2012 as Without Foundry by Diego Aravena Silo and Felipe Sanzana, W Type Foundry adopted its current identity in 2016 when Diego Aravena partnered with Magdalena Arasanz and Patricio González. With headquarters in Santiago, Chile, and additional offices in Barcelona and London, W Type Foundry blends international influences in its designs. The foundry creates typefaces that balance aesthetic sophistication with modern technological needs. Notable typefaces in their catalog include Armin Grotesk, Fujiwara, Gallos and Ryman Gothic.
All images in this article are sourced from the official Instagram accounts of the type foundries mentioned, with all rights reserved by their respective owners. When using a typeface—whether it’s a trial version or one found online—always check the license to ensure proper use. This not only respects the designer’s intellectual property but also maintains ethical standards within the design community.
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