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Guidance

Font and resource licensing, explained clearly.

A practical guide to using fonts and downloadable creative assets responsibly.

Last updated: August 2026 · General information, not legal advice

Every item can have different terms

A free download is not automatically free for every purpose. Fonts, PSD text effects, Photoshop brushes, textures, mockups and motion templates may each carry separate terms. Review the licence shown on the item page and any licence file included in the download before using the asset in client work, advertising, products for sale or a brand identity.

Font licences

Font licences usually control installation, embedding, modification, redistribution and commercial use. Common open licences include the SIL Open Font License, Apache License 2.0, MIT, Ubuntu Font License, Public Domain and CC0. Open does not mean ownerless: attribution, reserved font names and redistribution conditions can still apply.

Creative resource licences

A resource licence may allow you to use the finished design in personal and commercial projects while prohibiting resale or redistribution of the editable source file. For example, you may be allowed to use a text effect in a poster but not upload the original PSD to another download website. Do not assume the rules for one resource apply to another.

Editable files and smart objects

Editing text, colours, layers or smart objects does not create a new licence. The original asset terms continue to apply. Keep the original licence or readme file with your project records, especially when working for a client.

Fonts used inside templates

A PSD, mockup or After Effects project may reference fonts that are not included. Those fonts can have separate licences and may need to be downloaded or purchased from the official source. Replacing a missing font is often the safest option when its licence cannot be verified.

Commercial use

Commercial use generally includes client projects, company branding, paid advertising, monetised content, products for sale and work created to promote a business. Confirm that both the resource and any bundled fonts, photos, icons or third party elements permit the intended use.

What NexFonts verifies

NexFonts presents the licence information available to us and organises download details in plain language. We cannot grant rights that belong to another creator and cannot guarantee that an external licence has never changed. The licence included with the file and the official creator or source remain the most important references.

Report a licensing or ownership concern

If you believe a font or resource is incorrectly described, mislicensed or should be removed, use our copyright and removal policy or send details through the contact page.