10 Photorealistic Opentype SVG (Color) Fonts
Opentype-SVG fonts (sometimes called ‘Color Fonts’ or just ‘SVG Fonts’) are sort of like regular fonts, but also sort of… well, not! You install, select, and type with them the same way as any other font – but the very cool thing about these special fonts is that they can include SVG image data, which means not only colour, but also greyscale and transparency, can be totally built into the letterforms. That allows us font designers to create really interesting font designs, by including things like 3D effects, colour gradients and realistic ink/paint textures. I’ve said it once but I’ll say it again because it’s what makes SVG fonts unique – these effects literally are the font, they don’t have to be created in some sort of graphics software but are generated as soon as you start hitting your keyboard.
Opentype-SVG fonts burst onto the graphic design scene in the late 2010’s as they gained wider support from major companies like Microsoft, Google and Adobe. While support is always increasing, it’s important to note however that support for OpenType-SVG fonts isn’t guaranteed in all software that handles traditional font formats. Newer versions of Photoshop, Illustrator, and Procreate are guaranteed to handle Opentype-SVG fonts with ease, and while Canva and InDesign do support the fonts, they offer no way to adjust their colour. Some Opentype-SVG fonts (such as the ones I offer on my website here) also have limitations to their draw-size, as they are based on rasterised image data. Generally you will find most letters will reach their highest resolution at around 800-1000 pixels tall.
As Opentype-SVG fonts handle their graphical data a little differently, they also require a different method of re-colouring. Check out my quick guides for re-colouring them in Photoshop, Illustrator, and Procreate on my YouTube channel.
Now you’ve learned all about Opentype-SVG fonts, let’s take a look at some of the ones I offer here at Set Sail Studios. These fonts are the best examples of how fonts can offer totally custom-looking typography, and are guaranteed to make you rethink everything you thought you knew about what a font can be.
1. Avallon SVG Font
Avallon is a wild and expressive brush font, with a whole lotta energy and playfulness. Thanks to the Opentype-SVG technology, Avallon captures every textured detail of real brush strokes, giving your text a raw, authentic feel that traditional fonts simply can’t replicate. It comes in multiple styles, including an alternate lowercase set and an all-caps version, plus standard TTF formats for wider compatibility. If you’re after bold, expressive typography with serious personality, Avallon shows exactly why SVG fonts are changing the design game.
Avallon SVG Font →
2. Opulent SVG Font
Another stunning example of SVG font magic is the Opulent SVG font — a hand-lettered script that brings modern calligraphy to life with real watercolor textures totally built-in as a transparency. Its high-resolution SVG style captures every fluid brushstroke in beautiful detail, while also including vector and solid versions for added flexibility. With alternate characters for extra customisation options, Opulent is perfect for everything from wedding invites to bold branding — elegant, expressive, and effortlessly eye-catching.
Opulent SVG Font →
3. Beast Mode SVG Font
If you’re looking to inject some energy into your typography, it’s time to unleash Beast Mode—a bold and brazen, all-caps brush font ready to make its mark. Hand-painted with a real paintbrush and acrylic paint, this exciting set of fonts has incredibly realistic paint textures built into the SVG version as a transparency. Beast Mode includes two full sets of ‘uppercase’ (larger caps) and ‘lowercase’ (smaller caps) characters, giving you four variations of each letter for different layout and customization options. These Regular and Alternate sets are included in SVG, Brush, and Solid variations of the paintbrush texture—providing a total of six fonts to experiment with.
4. Dream Chaser SVG Font (Free!)
Dream Chaser is a vibrant all-caps SVG sans-serif font that infuses your designs with watercolor textures seamlessly integrated into each letter. Ideal for crafting bold headers and impactful display text, it allows you to produce stunning, detailed lettering effortlessly. The download includes both the Dream Chaser SVG font, which utilizes high-definition watercolor textures, and a regular TTF version without these textures, ensuring versatility across various design projects. Oh, and I almost forgot the best part, it’s totally free to download, and includes commercial use!
5. Stay Dreaming SVG Font
Stay Dreaming is a seriously cool script font that brings an edgy, hand-drawn feel to your designs. Made with nothing but a dry Sharpie to enhance those bold marker textures, this font has that authentic, raw energy that’s perfect for today’s bold, street-inspired trends. With its full set of alternates and swashes, Stay Dreaming offers tons of customization options, making it a killer choice for everything from branding to merchandise and promotional materials.
Lacuna Marker Font →
6. Oxford Press SVG Font
Oxford Press is a rustic, authentic font that brings the timeless appeal of letterpress printing to your designs. The SVG version is where the magic happens, featuring incredibly realistic ink-stamp textures, completely built into the font as a transparency. But it doesn’t stop there — the font also includes clean, traditional versions in standard formats for maximum compatibility. Available in both Serif and Sans Serif styles, Oxford Press gives you the flexibility to add a vintage-inspired charm to your projects, whether you’re after a textured look or a more polished finish.
Oxford Press SVG Font →
7. Glory Culture SVG Font
Glory Culture is a bold, modern cursive font packed with energy and flair. Inspired by the vibrant style of sign painting, this font brings that same handcrafted, expressive feel to your designs. The SVG version really shines, capturing the true texture of acrylic-paint brushstrokes for a dynamic, realistic look. For more versatility, clean TTF versions are also included, so you can use this font in any project with ease. With alternate characters and swashes, Glory Culture gives you all the flexibility you need to create eye-catching, custom typography with a real personal touch.
8. Wubble SVG Bubble Fonts
Wubble is a fun and vibrant font that brings playful 3D bubble lettering to your designs. It comes in five exciting styles: Regular, Pink, Gold, Silver, and Bubble, each offering a unique twist on the bubbly aesthetic. The 3D versions captures all the glossy, 3D texture for a realistic, eye-catching effect, while the Regular version in a traditional font format gives you flexibility to add your own style. Whether you’re creating bold logos, party invitations, or Y2K-inspired posters, Wubble offers dynamic and customizable typography that’s sure to stand out.
Wubble SVG Bubble Fonts →
9. Blo-Up 3D Balloon SVG Font
Blo-Up 3D Font Set is a bold, eye-catching collection that brings inflatable-style typography to your designs. With a full set of uppercase letters, numbers, and punctuation, this font is available in 10 vibrant color variations. Each provided as high-resolution PNG images on transparent backgrounds, and the pink version is included as it’s own installable Opentype-SVG font, which you can adjust the colour to your liking. Blo-Up takes inflated lettering to the next level with a bold, Y2K-inspired style. Perfect for adding playful, attention-grabbing 3D typography to any design, it gives your projects a fun, dimensional pop that’s sure to stand out.
Blo-Up 3D SVG Font →
10. Foxglove SVG Font
Foxglove is a charming, minimalist all-caps brush font with a fun, hand-lettered vibe. Available in both an SVG version with beautiful watercolor textures and a clean, solid fill version, Foxglove offers a personal, playful touch to any design. With two sets of uppercase characters for extra variety, it’s perfect for everything from branding to quotes and product designs, adding an approachable, friendly vibe to your projects.
Foxglove SVG Font →
I hope these examples have sparked some inspiration and shown just how powerful, interesting, and versatile OpenType-SVG fonts can be. If you’re looking to add an extra dimension of realism, or to create something that looks truly custom-made, these fonts open up a whole new world of creative possibilities. Ready to try them out for yourself? Dive in and see where your typography can take you.