Hi Viv, the helper class I use has a static c'tor which adds the font to the pfc, what really puzzles me is why it works on the second running ? and why is the font file showing in the Windows\Font directory ? . Sorry wasn't very clear when I say defaults to, I think if you try to create a font that isn't installed , instead of just bombing, Windows/.NET returns MS San Serif - which is what is happening here.