A foundry for bastard web fonts. Mix fonts. Also stretch or squish them.
Can I use bastard fonts in my app?
Yes. Every download is a normal OpenType font. The swap is a liga contextual substitution registered for every script, so browsers turn it on by default.
Do I need to enable anything?
No. It works anywhere OpenType text is shaped: browsers, design tools, print. If a font looks unchanged, check that ligatures aren't switched off in the app you're using.
Are my fonts uploaded anywhere?
No. Everything runs locally in your browser with Pyodide and fontTools. Your files never leave your device.
Pro tips?
Bastardica can make simple fonts feel a little, hmm, richer? Use Y-offset and scale effects to make glyphs align perfectly.
When mixing 3 or more fonts, they will intersect (e.g. every 5th and every 7th will collide on every 35th). The first font wins. The stride won't break for either.
Use prime numbers for strides, so the mix-in fonts collide more rarely.
Some websites to grab free fonts to play with: Google Fonts, UNCUT, Velvetyne, Font Squirrel, FontSpace, DaFont.
What about font licensing?
Mixing two fonts produces a derivative work, so make sure to check licenses of both source fonts if you plan to use a bastard font commercially. Bastardica adds no conditions of its own. A credit is appreciated, but optional.
Bastardica was inspired by Times New Bastard and Easy Pete.
You can ask me about anything at hello@mitpit.com