How to Install Fonts on Windows and Mac (Step-by-Step 2026 Guide)

Bought a new font and not sure what to do with the ZIP file you just downloaded? Installing a font takes less than a minute once you know where to look. Here's the complete process for both Windows and Mac, plus how to actually start using your new font in design software.

Step 1: Download and unzip your font

Every Maker Market font is delivered as a ZIP folder. Locate the file in your Downloads folder and extract it — on Windows, right-click and choose "Extract All"; on Mac, just double-click the ZIP to unzip it automatically.

Step 2: Install on Windows

  1. Open the extracted folder and find the font file (usually ending in .otf or .ttf).
  2. Right-click the file and select Install (or Install for all users if you want it available to every account on the computer).
  3. Windows adds the font to your system font library automatically — no restart required for most apps, though some (like Adobe software) may need to be restarted.

Step 3: Install on Mac

  1. Double-click the .otf or .ttf file. This opens Font Book, macOS's built-in font manager.
  2. Click Install Font in the preview window.
  3. The font is now available system-wide across all your apps.

Step 4: Use your new font in design software

Once installed, restart any open design apps so they pick up the new font. It'll appear in the font menu under its name (e.g. "Maker Market Daisy") in:

  • Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop & InDesign
  • Figma
  • Canva (upload it under Brand Kit → Fonts if it's not detected automatically)
  • Microsoft Word & PowerPoint

Step 5: Use it as a web font

If your font includes WOFF or WOFF2 files, you can use it directly on a website. Upload the files to your site, then add a simple @font-face rule to your CSS:

@font-face {
  font-family: "Your Font Name";
  src: url("your-font.woff2") format("woff2"),
       url("your-font.woff") format("woff");
}

Troubleshooting: font not showing up?

  • Restart the app. Most design software only scans installed fonts on launch.
  • Check the file type. Make sure you installed the actual font file, not a folder or the Preview PDF included with some sets.
  • Multiple weights? Each weight is usually a separate file — install every weight you plan to use individually (e.g. Regular, Bold, Black).

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between OTF and TTF?
Both are standard font formats supported by virtually all modern software. OTF (OpenType) generally supports more advanced typographic features like ligatures and stylistic alternates, which is why most Maker Market fonts include OTF alongside TTF.

Can I install a font without admin rights on a work computer?
On Windows, installing "for the current user only" (rather than all users) usually doesn't require admin rights. On Mac, Font Book installs to your personal Fonts folder by default.

Do I need to install every file in the ZIP?
No — only install the actual font files you plan to use. Extras like Preview PDFs or license documents don't need to be installed.

Browse fonts ready to download and install at Maker Market Fonts.