refontes

Refontes (singular refonte) is a term primarily used in typography to describe a redesigned version of an existing typeface. A refonte aims to preserve the recognizable character of the original while making improvements or updates that reflect new technologies, usage needs, or design standards. The word comes from French refondre, meaning to recast or remelt; historically, it referred to recasting metal type to extend the font’s features or correct deficiencies. In English-language typography the term refonte is used, often in discussions of type foundries and font catalogs.

In a refonte, changes may include altered letter shapes for better optical harmony, expanded weight families or widths, improved hinting for on-screen rendering, new or additional glyphs and language coverage, and refined metrics or kerning. It may also introduce new variants such as optical sizes, condensed or extended versions, and italic or oblique forms that align with the original design. The original font family is typically retained as a brand identity while the refonte is released as a distinct font family or as updated files with compatible licensing.

Refontes are common in both historical revival contexts and modern digital typography, as designers adapt classic designs to contemporary typesetting environments and broad language support. They can help maintain readability, print quality, and accessibility across platforms.

Outside typography, refonte can also denote a major revision or overhaul of a text or publication, though the term is most commonly used within type design and font publishing.