How to Convert an Image to a True Type Font

By Eric W. Thompson

Updated September 28, 2017

Items you will need

  • Vector graphics editing program

  • Graphics editing program

  • Font editing program

A number of image formats can be converted to a TrueType font.
i ballyscanlon/Photodisc/Getty Images

You can easily convert a number of different image formats into a TrueType font, a common font format, but you will need graphic software to do so. The graphic software will enable you to pick and choose the parts of the image you wish to convert. After making the conversion, you’ll then need a software application for editing vector images as well as a font-generation software application for converting the vector graphic to a TrueType font.

Download and install the free Gimp raster graphics editing software if you do not have Adobe Illustrator or some other vector editing software.

Open your graphics editor.

Open the JPG image of your choice.

Convert the image to grayscale by going to “Image,” “Mode” and selecting “Grayscale.”

Press "Ctrl" and "A" to select the entire graphic area.

Press "Ctrl" and "C" to copy the image.

Open Illustrator or Gimp.

Press "Ctrl" and "V" to paste your grayscale image into your workspace.

Click “Trace Bitmap” to convert the image to a vector image.

Press "Ctrl" and "A" to select the entire graphic area.

Press "Ctrl" and "C" to copy the image.

Open FontForge or the font editor of your choice (see Resources).

Change the letter spacing to your liking, and save as a TrueType font.

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