Font licensing might sound like a minor technicality, but trust me — it’s anything but that. I recently had to step in and fix a website where Adobe Fonts looked like they were working… but weren’t being used correctly under the hood.
It quickly escalated into a legal and ethical issue — the actual font designer reached out directly to the website owner. 😬 That’s when I got the panicked WhatsApp message.
Here’s what went wrong:
- Unauthorized font usage
- No proper licensing in place
- Risk of legal trouble
Turns out, the site had been using Adobe Fonts without verifying them properly through the platform. That might sound like a small mistake, but when it comes to copyrighted assets, it’s a serious oversight.
Let’s walk through what should’ve happened — and how you can avoid ending up in a similar situation.
Why Font Licensing Matters
Using a font without the correct license is not only a violation of copyright law, but also disrespectful to the designers who created it. Fonts are intellectual property — and just like photography, music, or software, you need permission to use them commercially.
If you’re using Adobe Fonts (formerly Typekit), there’s a process to follow. Skipping steps or misconfiguring things can leave your site vulnerable to takedown notices, legal headaches, and public embarrassment.
3-Step Process for Proper Adobe Fonts Licensing
Here’s what you (or your developer/designer) need to do to make sure Adobe Fonts are properly licensed and legally implemented on your website:
✅ Step 1: Set Up Your Adobe Account
- Sign up for a valid Adobe Creative Cloud account.
- Adobe Fonts are included with most plans, but you need to be signed in for access.
- Only the account owner can manage and assign font licenses through web projects.
Pro Tip: Don’t share fonts from someone else’s account. Always use your own or your agency’s verified Adobe account.
✅ Step 2: Create and Link a Web Project
- Inside your Adobe Fonts dashboard, select the fonts you want to use.
- Create a Web Project, which gives you a unique embed code.
- Copy and paste that code into your site’s
<head>section or link it through your CMS (like Webflow, WordPress, or Squarespace). - They have an Elementor feature which you can learn more about here.
⚠️ Warning: Do NOT download and self-host Adobe Fonts. That’s a direct violation of their terms.
✅ Step 3: Verify Font Syncing
- Once implemented, test to make sure the font is loading from Adobe’s CDN — not a backup or downloaded version.
- Use your browser’s dev tools (Inspect > Network) to confirm the font source.
- Clear cache and double-check mobile versions.
If everything’s set up correctly, the font should show as being served directly from use.
What Happens When You Get It Wrong?
In the case I worked on, the site was using the font files locally — with no license, no attribution, and no verification through Adobe.
The font designer noticed and emailed the site owner. That’s when the panic started. They called me in, I did a full audit, and we fixed it:
✅ Reconnected the site to Adobe Fonts
✅ Verified the correct web project
✅ Ensured licensing was active and legal
It was a quick fix, but it could’ve been a major problem if ignored.
TL;DR: Don’t Cut Corners
Designers and developers: respect the tools and the people behind them. Fonts are not “free assets” — they’re licensed materials created by professionals.
Here’s your cheat sheet:
- 🔐 Always check for proper licensing before publishing a site
- 🌐 Use official Adobe Fonts embed codes — no downloads, no workarounds
- 🧪 Double-check implementation with your dev tools
- 👩💻 If you’re not sure, ask a professional
Want a Font + Web Audit?
If you’re unsure whether your site is compliant, I offer audits for things just like this.
➡️ DM me “management” or book a call for a website audit.
Don’t wait for a cease and desist to clean things up.
Do it right the first time — your reputation (and wallet) will thank you.
✌🏼 Keep it legit, y’all.
