What is a Font with PUA Encoded Characters and How to Use It

In the world of design and typography, fonts are more than just text - they're powerful tools for creativity. A significant innovation in fonts is the incorporation of PUA (Private Use Area) encoded characters, which adds a whole new dimension to their usability. Let’s dive into what PUA-encoded characters are, why they matter, and how you can make the most of them.

What are PUA Encoded Characters?

PUA stands for Private Use Area, a section of Unicode designed to hold custom characters that are not defined by the standard Unicode set. These characters might include stylistic alternates, glyphs, ligatures, ornaments, or unique icons designed by the font creator. The font on the above photo is Lovely Butterfly. Each character has a duplicate with an ornament and a butterfly.

PUA encoding essentially assigns a Unicode value to each custom character, allowing them to be accessed across various design software programs and operating systems. Without PUA encoding, these unique elements might only work in specialized software and be inaccessible in general-use programs like Microsoft Word or Adobe Photoshop.

Why Are PUA Encoded Characters Important?

Accessibility Across Platforms: PUA encoding ensures that unique characters can be accessed from a wide variety of applications, making fonts more versatile.

Enhanced Design Options: With PUA encoded characters, fonts can include extra stylistic elements, from swashes to icons, that expand creative possibilities for designers.

Ease of Use: Instead of relying on advanced software to reveal special characters, PUA encoding simplifies their use in standard software environments.

How to Identify Fonts with PUA Encoded Characters

Not all fonts include PUA encoded characters. Here are a few tips to find and recognize such fonts:

- Check the font description or documentation. Many font designers indicate whether their typefaces contain PUA encoded characters.

- Use font exploration tools like Font Book (Mac) or Character Map (Windows) to explore glyphs and symbols beyond the standard keyboard characters.

- Look for premium or professional fonts on marketplaces like Creative Fabrica or MyFonts, which often include PUA encoding.

How to Use PUA Encoded Characters

Using PUA encoded characters is straightforward with the right tools. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Access the Glyphs:

Windows: Open the Character Map app. Select the font you’re using, browse through the glyphs, and double-click the desired character to copy it to your clipboard.

Mac: Use the Font Book application. Select the font and find the specific glyph you want, then copy it.

Paste into Your Program:

After copying the character, paste it directly into your design software, word processor, or text editor.

For most programs, including Microsoft Word, Adobe Illustrator, and Photoshop, the character will render correctly if the corresponding font is active.

Utilize Specialized Software (Optional):

For advanced font manipulation, software like Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW can directly access and implement PUA encoded characters using glyph panels.

Keyboard Shortcuts:

Some fonts provide shortcut codes or keyboard inputs to quickly access specific PUA characters. Refer to the font documentation for details.

Practical Applications of PUA Encoded Fonts

Branding: Create logos, letterheads, and advertisements with added flair using swashes or decorative elements.

Craft Design: Use PUA-encoded fonts in vinyl cutting machines like Cricut or Silhouette, where special characters enhance creative projects.

Digital Graphics: Add unique typographic embellishments to social media graphics, banners, and websites.

Typography Art: Design posters, greeting cards, and invitations with artistic letterforms and glyphs.

Fonts with PUA encoded characters are invaluable tools for designers, artists, and typographers seeking to elevate their work with distinctive and accessible elements. By offering compatibility across various platforms and expanding creative possibilities, these fonts are a game-changer in modern design. With just a bit of exploration and practice, you can unlock the full potential of PUA-encoded fonts to create stunning projects that stand out.