🚀 go-pugleaf

Red,

The fonts that I use every day will probably not be satisfactory for what you need fonts to do. There are tens of thousands of fonts to choose from out there because each font has a distinct personality that complements a particular use or group of uses.

I just don't know what to tell you here as only you know which fonts you need. There's no magic formula. It's a basic part of your job and your training as a designer.

My kneejerk reaction would be to activate just the fonts that have been used on recent jobs which are typical for the work you do. Stick with conservative, cleanly designed, readable serifs (such as New Baskerville, Adobe Caslon, ITC Franklin Gothic, Adobe Garamond, Goudy, Palatino, Times, Minion) sans serifs (such as Futura, Myriad, Helvetica, Univers, Gill Sans, Frutiger) with mid-to-tall x-heights, as they give you the most flexibility in use, if not the most. Also, standard ornaments (such as Zapf). If you use scripts, woodtype, typewriter type, gothics, etc., you'll need to pick a few of those appropriate for your needs.

Others here could name many other solid fonts that are solid workhorse fonts. But ultimately, you, as designer are responsible for what you choose as appropriate for your work.

As time goes on, you will certainly have favorites that you will keep activated all the time. Certainly don't activate more than you need so you don't bog down your system.

As for font management, you can group fonts by client, by job, alphabetically, by font style, etc. Again, it depends upon what works best for you and the way you work.

I know this is not the answer you need. But I hope it at least sets you in the right direction.

BTW, what kind of design training and experience do you have?

Neil