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USGS Visual Identity System (VIS) Fonts

Times New Roman and Univers Condensed are the current Visual Identity System (VIS) fonts.  Times New Roman (a TrueType font) is automatically installed with both the Microsoft Windows and Macintosh OS X operating systems. The OpenType version of Univers Condensed is now available for download

through the link below  and is compatible with Windows 7, Windows XP, and OS X. For additional information, send an email to gs_help_vid_fonts@usgs.gov.

The Type 1 version of the Univers Condensed font for Windows (that was previously available to the Bureau for download through this Web site) is essentially obsolete as it is not compatible with Windows 7 .   If the Type 1 version of Univers Condensed is installed on your computer, we suggest that you replace it with the OpenType version.  OpenType fonts consist of one file (rather than three as with Type 1) and may be used on both Windows and Mac platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions About the VIS Fonts

Have there been any changes in the policy for VIS fonts?

The last major change in the VIS typefaces or fonts policy occurred on June 11, 2008 (refer to http://communities.usgs.gov/oc_blogs/usgs_news/?p=657for additional information).  By this change, Times New Roman (a TrueType font) became the new standard VIS serif font, replacing Times (a Type 1 font). The policy on use of the VIS-licensed font Univers Condensed remains unchanged except for the October 1, 2010 change from the Type 1 version to the OpenType version.

What are the names of the official USGS Visual Identity System (VIS) fonts and what do they look like?

The VIS typefaces are Times New Roman and Univers Condensed. Times New Roman is a serif font set, and Univers is a sans serif font set. Serifs are very fine lines that finish off the tops and bottoms of the main parts of a letter; for instance, you will see them on the letters A and H, but not on an O. San serif indicates that there are no finishing lines on any letters in the font set. The names of all the VIS fonts in the Times New Roman and Univers Condensed typefaces and visuals of what the fonts look like are as follows:

Times and Univers fonts

The Times New Roman VIS fonts shown should be used in products that previously called for Times fonts. Times New Roman is similar in appearance to Times and is a font that is automatically installed on both the Windows and Macintosh computer systems. The Univers Condensed fonts are licensed to USGS so that any employee can produce documents that conform to the VIS font standards. Univers Condensed is identifiable with USGS products, and the lettering and the motto of the USGS identifier graphic were designed to resemble the Univers Condensed font. Note: Depending on the software application used, the Univers Condensed font names that appear in the fonts menu may be slightly different from those listed here; for example, the numbers 47, 57 , and 67 may not appear in the font menu. For help with downloading and using the VIS fonts, send an email to gs_help_vid_fonts@usgs.gov.

What do I do if templates or specifications I need have not yet been updated with the VIS fonts TrueType Times New Roman or OpenType Univers Condensed?

Some time and effort is needed to update all the templates and specifications at the VIS Web site. Therefore, until all information on the VIS site affected by font policy changes has been updated (and because the TrueType Times New Roman closely resembles the former Type 1 Times and the OpenType Univers Condensed fonts are rendered identically to the Type 1 Univers Condensed fonts), the existing templates and specifications may optionally be used “as is ” (if using Windows XP) or users may manually change the fonts within the templates .  However, as stated above, the Type 1 Univers Condensed font is not compatible with Windows 7 so this version of the font will need to be changed to the OpenType version, following the install and uninstall instructions above.

Why do I need to use the VIS fonts?

The consistent use of standard VIS fonts is part of an ongoing effort to fully implement the VIS throughout USGS activities. One advantage of font standardization is that any USGS document that contains the VIS fonts can be exchanged between USGS users who have those fonts installed on their systems. In order for this easy exchange of documents to occur WE MUST ALL USE THE SAME FONTS. This includes using the same substitute fonts where exceptions to the VIS fonts are allowed. Look-alike fonts and fonts with similar names may not function correctly and can result in errors for others trying to access USGS documents that use the VIS fonts.

How do I install the fonts on my system?

Times New Roman TrueType is automatically installed on Windows and Macintosh computers; therefore, no installation is required. The OpenType Univers Condensed font is licensed to USGS and must be installed. To install the Univers Condensed font , refer to the corresponding link above.

Note: Until all the applicable templates, specifications, and guidance at the VIS Web site have been updated to reflect the change from Times to Times New Roman, the former licensed VIS Times fonts will remain part of the font download file; however, users only need to install the Univers Condensed OpenType fonts, following the install and uninstall instructions above.

Once the fonts are installed how do I access them?

Most Windows and Macintosh applications access fonts at the system level. After the fonts have been installed on your system they should be available via the font menu of any application run­ning on that system. Occasionally you may come across an application that does not access fonts at the system level. In that case there may be special instructions included with the application indicating the proper procedure for installing fonts for that application.

Special note to Windows users: In some applications, Univers 67 Condensed Bold and Univers 67 Condensed Bold Oblique will not appear as a choice on your application font menu. For example, this is the case with Microsoft Office applications because Windows systems cannot display more than four styles of fonts in the same font family. If this happens, you must first select the Light version of the font and then select Bold in the style menu of the application to get the bold version of the font. In all other applications and on Macintosh systems, get the bold version of the font directly by selecting the full font name from the font menu.

When should I use the VIS fonts? Do I need to use them in all my documents?

Unless otherwise noted, the VIS fonts should be used in all documents to which the VIS guidelines apply. There are a limited number of exceptions to using the VIS fonts, and in these cases, other fonts can be substituted.

What are the exceptions to using the VIS fonts?

There are a limited number of instances when other fonts may be substituted for Univers Condensed and Times New Roman. The exceptions apply to the following:

  • Information products that are viewed electronically (such as Web pages); information products that are shared or distributed electronically inside and outside the USGS (such as PowerPoint presentation materials); and electronic word-processing documents that are shared or distributed inside and outside USGS or posted on the Web (such as Microsoft Word project reports).
  • Information products in the Open-File Report (OFR) series that are prepared in MS Word by USGS authors or their cost center staff, or by publishing support staff and posted on the Web in PDF format; and information products in the Administrative Report series that are prepared for other funding agencies and submitted to them in any electronic media specified by the funding agency.
  • Files such as tables of data, readme files, or metadata files that accompany (or are included with) a USGS series information product report.
  • Information products that require special characters or symbols not available in Univers Condensed or Times New Roman.
  • Information products that (1) require the insertion of foreign language characters not available in Univers Condensed or Times New Roman, or (2) are produced entirely in a language that uses an alphabet or character set unavailable in Univers Condensed or Times New Roman (for example, the Cyrillic alphabet).

Note: Excluding OFRs and Administrative Reports, as stated above, the font exception does not apply to the body of USGS series information products or to the jewelcase or label for USGS series information products released on CD or DVD.

Why are these exceptions allowed?

These exceptions are allowed:

  • To aid onscreen-display legibility (as on Web pages).
  • To facilitate sharing of electronic word-processing documents (such as project reports prepared in Microsoft Word,) on internal and outside equipment that may not have the licensed (Univers Condensed) VIS fonts.
  • To facilitate the sharing, combining, reusing, and displaying of PowerPoint presentation materials (including handouts, slides, and HTML-formatted presentations) distributed inside and outside the USGS.
  • To design, prepare, and publish electronic information products prepared by USGS authors and their cost- center staff or publishing- support staff for release or submission in the Open-File Report and Administrative Report series in a cost- effective manner.
  • To facilitate the sharing of tables of data, readme files, and metadata files that accompany or are included with a published USGS series information product.
  • To accurately display special characters that are not available in the VIS font families (such as geologic age symbols and italic Greek letters) in scientific writings.
  • To enable the release of information products (1) that require the insertion of foreign language characters unavailable in Univers Condensed or Times New Roman (for example, the Hawaiian language diacritical marks) or, (2) that are produced wholly in a language that requires an alphabet or character set unavailable in Univers Condensed or Times New Roman (for example, a report translated to Russian and typeset in the Cyrillic alphabet).

What fonts can be substituted in these exceptions?

  • For Web Pages: Using a style sheet, set the font family with the following list: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans serif. The generic font family “sans serif” should be used in the event that the other fonts are not available on a user’s system. Although serif fonts usually don’t display as clearly as sans serif fonts on a computer monitor and are therefore not recommended, Times New Roman, Times Roman, and Times may be used on a Web page with the following font list: Times New Roman, Times Roman, Times, serif.
  • For PowerPoint Presentation Materials: The substitute font is Arial Bold. Note: For Macintosh systems, select Arial then Bold formatting.
  • For USGS Open-File Report and Administrative Report Series Publications (for MS Word and PDF documents): The substitute font is Arial Narrow. The VIS fonts Univers Condensed and Times New Roman may also be used in these documents.
  • For Other Electronic Media: Substitute one of the following fonts for all documents (excluding PDF documents) that are developed primarily for electronic use or for viewing on a computer screen (listed in preferred order): Verdana, Arial, Helvetica. As with Web pages, although serif fonts usually don’t display as clearly as sans serif fonts on a computer monitor, Times New Roman, Times Roman, and Times may also be used in these documents.
  • For Special Characters in Scientific Writing: Because specialized characters such as geologic age symbols and italic Greek letters are not available in Univers Condensed, special characters from font families such as the Symbol, FGDCGeoAge, StratagemAge, Universal PiVariant, and Stravetica may be inserted in USGS information products as necessary. Note: Universal PiVariant and Stravetica are not automatically installed on standard Macintosh systems. For more information about FGDCGeoAge, see Appendix A, section 32, in FGDC Digital Cartographic Standard for Map Symbolization. The FGDCGeoAge font and the USGS Hydro Font can be downloaded here.
  • For Foreign-Language Characters or Alphabets: The substitute font will vary depending on the foreign-language alphabet requirements.

NOTE: For images with text that will be displayed on the Web or in other electronic media, the font exception allows for a substitute font that matches the font used for the text portions of the Web pages or electronic documents. However, if the image with text is from a paper that was scanned and converted to an electronic file, or is derived from a PDF version of an information product, then the image (with the VIS font Univers Condensed or Times New Roman that was used in the information product) should be used as is, even if it is to be displayed on the Web.

Can I use art fonts in my information products?

Yes, the use of art fonts is allowed in the titles and sub titles of some information products. However, art font use is allowed in addition to, not as an exception to the VIS fonts. The art font you use will depend on the emphasis you are seeking to characterize in your product’s content.  For example, a historical script font can be used to emphasize key words within the title of a map that marks the anniversary of a natural disaster, or a playful font can be used within the title of a product for children. For additional information, refer to the requirements for use of art fonts.

Should I use the VIS fonts in USGS publications?

Yes. For print (paper) and electronic (PDF) publications you should use the VIS fonts. For example, when preparing most USGS information products, use Univers Condensed for titles, headings, and figure captions and Times New Roman for body text before publishing as PDF files. The only series for which exceptions to using the VIS fonts apply are the limited-use series publications—Open-File Report and Administrative Report—which may be prepared by USGS authors and their cost center staff or publishing support staff. Refer to your local USGS publishing support staff, or send an email to gs_help_vid_fonts@usgs.gov, or to theVisual Identity System Committee for additional information on using fonts in USGS series publications or for assistance, if necessary.

Do I have to reformat the fonts in publications that were created using previous VIS fonts?

No, you do not have to reformat the fonts in these publications and documents simply to for example, convert to the new TrueType Times New Roman format or the OpenType Univers Condensed format. If you open a document on a system that does not have the former VIS Type 1 Times font set installed, generally the Times New Roman font will be substituted automatically ; however, if you wish to change the font manually, you will need to select the Times New Roman font from the font menu of the application you are running to make this change. Because the font format and names are not the same, the OpenType Univers VIS fonts will not automatically be substituted in documents that were created using the Type1 Univers font if the Type 1 font remains on the computer you are using.  Additionally since the Type1 version of Univers Condensed is not compatible with Windows 7, on these computer systems you will need to convert to the OpenType version of this font.

The licenses that the USGS purchased for the Type 1 VIS Times font set are still available and, if you’ve already downloaded this font set to your computer, you may want to retain them. Avoid time-consuming reformatting that may be required for lengthy documents that were created using the former VIS font Times in Type 1 format; however, if you retain the former Type1 Times font set, you should not mix the formats in a document because mixing them may lead to output problems.

Can I download the Univers Condensed VIS font permanently to a desktop printer?

Yes, the license agreement allows users to permanently download the Univers Condensed Type 1 font to a desktop printer when this function is available on the printer.

Can I provide the Univers Condensed VIS font with a print job to a service bureau?

Yes, you may provide this font to a service bureau or printer with your print job or you may embed the fonts or convert the fonts to graphic elements, as appropriate.  It is assumed that when licensed fonts are provided to a service bureau or printer the fonts will only be used for that specific job.

Do I need to keep track of the number of Univers Condensed typeface licenses I use?

No, because 12,000 font licenses were purchased and this should cover all employees of the USGS.

Will I be charged for the Univers Condensed font set?

No, the font set was purchased using Bureau funds and no cost recovery from individual offices is required.

Where do I go for technical assistance?

Check with the official USGS Visual Identity System Web Site

If you have any problems with these instructions or with using the fonts, please send email to gs_help_vid_fonts@usgs.gov.

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