Zapf Essentials®

What is the Zapf Essentials® font?

Linotype Zapf Essentials is the modernized version of Zapf Dingbats and was also designed by Hermann Zapf himself. Over 372 characters and symbols are included within six fonts and make life a little more communicative, a little more informative, and a lot more interesting. The fonts contain symbols for both professional and everyday uses. With their markers, ornaments and arrows they are informative as well as versatile, timeless and lively.
An interesting note to the story of Zapf Essentials: in 1977, Hermann Zapf created about 1000 sketches of signs and symbols. ITC chose those which became known around the world as Zapf Dingbats. For a typesetter, dingbats are the characters in the corner of the type box which can be used for just about anything. More…
The last decade has seen the appearance of new symbols for e-mail, fax, mobile phones and other developments. These are now part of Linotype Zapf Essentials, just as they are now a part of everyday life.
For a quick overview of the different Linotype Essentials variations, see the keyboard layout PDF in the Gallery section. It shows the keyboard layout of each font.
A helpful hint from Hermann Zapf: Linotype Zapf Essentials should be used sparingly so that the characters retain their emphasis.

Zapf Essentials® Font families

The Zapf Essentials® includes the following font families:

  • Zapf Essentials Arrows One
  • Zapf Essentials Arrows Two
  • Zapf Essentials Communication
  • Zapf Essentials Markers
  • Zapf Essentials Office
  • Zapf Essentials Ornaments

Zapf Essentials® Preview

Here is a preview of how Zapf Essentials® will look. For more previews using your own text as an example, click here.


Is A free font? Is Free to Download?

No, is not free to download. You will need to pay for it I'm afraid. Almost every font that we list on HighFonts.com is a paid-for, premium font. We do have a Free Fonts section where we list free fonts that you can download. There is no point trying to find a free download of so please don't waste your time looking.

It is highly unlikely that you'll be able to find for free. There's a lot of websites that will say "Free Download" but these are just attempts to get you to click on a link which will either take you to an ad landing page or you risk getting viruses on your computer. In the rare occasion that you do find a free download for remember that it's illegal to use a font if you didn't pay for it!

If you really want and you want to truly own it the legal and safe way, then click here to visit the download and purchase page on MyFonts.com. Here you will be able to obtain the proper license. The designer and publisher deserves to be paid for their work, as they have put in the hours and the creativity to produce such an amazing font. Good luck with your purchase and future use of this font. :)