When I compile out my ebook file, the secondary font I use disappears, replaced by the main one. How do I keep the fonts I’ve set up within styles for certain parts of the book?
For instance, I have calibri font for the copyright page, and for notes the character reads, or text messages. I want them set apart from the other text by using that alternate font, but these turn out to be the same font as the other text after compiling and checking in Kindle Previewer.
Just so we understand if we are talking about an ereader thing or a thing at compile, please answer that question:
What if you compile using the same compile format, but to PDF; is your secondary font then preserved ?
Note that if you user define the font in Kindle (or pretty much any other ereader, or reader app) the two fonts will be replaced by that single one. So maybe that’s your problem here.
I compiled it to PDF, and the fonts WERE retained.
I’m not doing anything in the Kindle Previewer. All the setup and format is done in Scriv.
UPDATE: i did notice that the previewer was set to BOOKERLY font, so that’s the issue I suppose. I have yet to find a way to turn that off so it uses the fonts in the actual document…
So. thanks for your help. If you know how to fix that, I’d appreciate it. Otherwise, at least you’ve helped me narrow it down.
Well, in kindle previewer, you have to pick one of its fonts…
I don’t think it can be set to “default”.
And I am not certain, but now that I am looking into it, I think you’d also need to embed the fonts you are using in your epub file. (It’s been a while + I never had the need, so I can’t be sure. Less even tell you how.)
oh, i thought the fonts were automatically embedded. I guess you don’t know where that setting is? I’ll have to look. THanks.
Embedding fonts is a bit of a logistical hassle involving licenses and setting permissions, all of which can change if the ebook reader doesn’t have the specified fonts or chooses to use some other fonts. Best bet is to leave special fonts alone and use something else to set text apart such as italics or all CAPS. It is such a hassle that most people doing ebooks don’t bother.
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Well apparently, embedding fonts is not the way to go.
With this in mind, though, I wonder if there’s a way to just get those alternate fonts to be different from the main one–such as some instruction to use a sans serif in those spots, as opposed to the main serif font?
Yeah, but italics and caps would look awful. I already use italics for character thoughts or emphasis, along with bold sometimes. I just wanted the font to be different, to set apart things like text messages and notes written to a character, which they are reading. I’m not sure how to solve this problem without it looking like hell. Hate to think I’ll have to leave it in the same font. Hopefully the indentions will be enough.
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You could use blockquote styles or change the font size to help set things apart. Just spit balling some ideas.
If you really want to do it, I’d say your best bet would be to use Sigil.
Import the font to your epub file, then tweak the style in the CSS stylesheet to use that font.
I suppose that if you opt for generic fonts (such as TimesNewRoman, etc) you wouldn’t have to actually embed it, and still have good chances of the ereader listing it. Perhaps there are specs, a list, about that, somewhere.
Keep us posted.
Some goodies:
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Here is an excerpt from an epub’s stylesheet in Sigil.
The font is NOT embedded, and you have the option for serif. (Since there would be no use otherwise, I can only presume that it implies the possibility of sans.)
I think you could simply tweak the CSS in Sigil so it matches that for your corresponding styles.
At this point, all the fonts I tried worked. Which leads me to think it works because I have those fonts installed in my computer. Chose wisely. Go for popular fonts. Perhaps refer to the list I posted above.
But keep in mind that even if this in the end works, it will only as long as the person reading your book has his ereader set to use the epub’s default font etc. The effect could easily be lost. Perhaps it’d be best not to rely on that if you can manage otherwise. My two cents.
I would personally only use indents (block quotes) and font sizes. (Normally I would have said bold, but you say it is already used for something else.)
Some e-readers have a setting “use Publisher font” or the like. The user of the e-reader can choose to set that option or choose any of the default installed fonts.
Embedding free fonts is possible using Sigil or Calibre. All Google Fonts are open source and are without cost. Many other sites offer fonts for free. Carefully check the EULA.
You can find how to embed fonts on the web. For example:
Success!
A dilemma, for sure.
Readers can also override embedded fonts. I read on a phone, and I always change the font to suit my eyes.
Indentations can also get messy pretty quickly, especially when the reader uses a large font size on a small screen. Easy to end up with text like this:
easy
to end
up with
text
like this
The other option is fixed layout, but such books can be close to unreadable on smaller devices and be as horrible to use and read as PDFs are on any device.
Yeah. i tried all the blockquote styles–default, and created ones–and it just wound up having huge spaces between the lines, in the final text. Guess I’m stuck with just the best looking one I created, even though it defaults to the main font.
Yes! I customize my fonts when i read, too, on a Kindle, and yes, there are huge spaces in blocktext, when used. Will have to just make do, i suppose. Thank you.
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That shouldn’t be. It should only affect the left and right margin. Not the space between lines. (?)
Alternatively, you still can opt for using a font slightly bigger. Font size being relative in an ebook (Em/Rem – not points), that’d be preserved. No matter the user’s settings.
All that said, I believe that the standard for citing someone (out of the context of a conversation – like, the narrator is “reading” a passage from a letter, or a text message for all that it matters) is italics.
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I’ve found a workaround. I type the note in a different font, even handwritten style, do a screenshot, and then paste that in. I compiled out to check it, and it looks fine. A little extra effort, but can be done in under a minute.
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I’d advise testing that solution in multiple readers, with multiple font sizes. You’ve converted part of the text to an image, so you may get weird results when the text reflows to accommodate changes in the font size.
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Also, the reader will not adjust it to match the theme. I have a number of eBooks which have just that problem; at night, when my reader switches to dark, those bits appear as a white box with black text and they do not adjust with the font size. Using a transparent PNG—if even possible—would not work because although the box wouldn’t be seen, the text would remain dark.
My ½p.
Mark
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I agree with Mark.
I only ever read in dark mode. A section of black text on a white background really detracts from the reading experience.
Have seen something similarly distracting with drop caps only displaying in black and therefore being invisible on the screen.
I usually give up reading books if I don’t have full control over the font size, font face, font/page colour, and line spacing.
