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How to Use AMS Fonts in CorelDRAW - Step-by-Step Guide

Published: June 27, 2026 · Author: AMS Font Converter Team

CorelDRAW is the go-to design software in Indian print shops. From wedding card layouts to flex banners and festival posters, most Indian DTP professionals use CorelDRAW daily. If you want to create stunning Hindi or Marathi calligraphy in CorelDRAW, you need AMS fonts—and you need to know how to feed them the right encoded text.

This guide walks you through the complete workflow: installing the font, converting your Unicode text to AMS encoding, pasting it into CorelDRAW, troubleshooting common issues, and preparing your file for print.

Step 1: Install the AMS Font on Your System

Before CorelDRAW can use an AMS font, the font file must be installed at the operating-system level. Here is how to do it on Windows, which is the most common platform in Indian DTP shops:

1. Download the AMS font file (usually a .ttf or .otf file). Popular choices include AMS Manthan for wedding calligraphy, AMS Chhatrapati for bold headlines, and AMS Kasturi for traditional styling.
2. Right-click the font file and select "Install for all users" (requires administrator privileges). This ensures the font is available to all applications, including CorelDRAW.
3. Restart CorelDRAW if it was already running. CorelDRAW loads its font list at startup, so a newly installed font will not appear until you restart the application.
4. Verify the installation by opening CorelDRAW, selecting the Text tool, and checking the font dropdown. You should see the AMS font name listed (e.g., "AMS Manthan").

On macOS

Double-click the font file to open it in Font Book, then click "Install Font." CorelDRAW for Mac should detect the new font automatically after installation.

Step 2: Convert Your Unicode Text to AMS Encoding

This is the most important step, and the one most beginners skip. You cannot simply type Hindi text in Unicode and then change the font to an AMS font. Because AMS fonts use a different encoding, doing so will produce garbled characters (often called "gibberish" or "mojibake").

Here is the correct process:

1. Prepare your Unicode Hindi or Marathi text. Type it using any standard input method—Google Input Tools, Windows Hindi keyboard, or copy it from a website or document.
2. Open the AMS Font Converter. This free online tool handles the mapping between Unicode code points and the ASCII positions that AMS fonts expect.
3. Paste your Unicode text into the input box.
4. Click "Convert." The tool instantly processes your text and outputs the AMS-encoded equivalent.
5. Copy the converted text. This is the encoded string that your AMS font will render correctly.

For example, if your Unicode text is "शुभ विवाह" (Shubh Vivah), the converter will produce a different string of ASCII characters that, when displayed in the correct AMS font, will show the same Devanagari text but in beautiful calligraphic styling.

Step 3: Paste and Apply the AMS Font in CorelDRAW

Now that you have the AMS-encoded text in your clipboard:

1. Open CorelDRAW and create a new document or open an existing one.
2. Select the Text tool (shortcut: F8) and click on the canvas where you want the Devanagari text to appear.
3. Paste the AMS-encoded text (Ctrl+V). At this point, the text may look like random Latin characters—this is normal because the default font is still a Latin font.
4. Select the pasted text and open the font dropdown in the property bar.
5. Choose the AMS font you installed (e.g., "AMS Manthan"). The text should now display as beautiful Devanagari calligraphy.
6. Adjust the font size as needed. AMS calligraphy fonts often look best at larger sizes (24pt and above) where the decorative details are clearly visible.

Step 4: Common Problems and How to Fix Them

Working with AMS fonts in CorelDRAW can occasionally present challenges. Here are the most common issues and their solutions:

The Font Does Not Appear in the Font List

• Make sure you installed the font for all users, not just the current user. Right-click the .ttf file and choose "Install for all users."
• Restart CorelDRAW after installing the font.
• Check that the font file is not corrupted. Try opening it in Windows Font Viewer to confirm it loads correctly.

The Text Displays as Gibberish or Random Characters

• This almost always means you pasted Unicode text instead of AMS-encoded text. Use the AMS Font Converter to convert your Unicode text first.
• Double-check that you selected the correct AMS font. Different AMS fonts may use slightly different encoding mappings.

Some Characters Are Missing or Incorrect

• Certain AMS fonts may not include all Devanagari conjuncts (sanyuktakshar). Try a different AMS font that covers the full character set.
• Complex conjuncts like क्ष (ksha), त्र (tra), and ज्ञ (gya) can sometimes require manual adjustment. Use CorelDRAW's character map or the Insert Character docker to locate the correct glyph.

Text Refuses to Change Font

• Select the text, then go to Text > Writing Tools > Language and set it to "None" or "Other." CorelDRAW sometimes resists applying non-Latin fonts if it thinks the text language is English.
• Alternatively, select the text object, press Ctrl+Q to convert it to curves, then apply your styling.

Step 5: Output and Print Preparation

Once your design is complete, prepare it properly for the printer:

Convert Text to Curves

Before sending your file to a print shop, always convert all AMS text to curves (Object > Convert to Curves, or Ctrl+Q). This bakes the glyph shapes into the file as vector paths, eliminating any font-dependency issues. Without this step, the printer's computer may not have the same AMS font installed, causing text to reflow or display incorrectly.

Export Formats

Color Mode for Print

For professional print output, convert your document to CMYK color mode (Tools > Color Management > Document Settings). Most Indian print shops expect CMYK files for accurate color reproduction on offset and digital presses.

Pro Tips for AMS Fonts in CorelDRAW

• Keep a Unicode backup: Always save your original Unicode text separately. If you need to edit the text later, it is much easier to re-convert from Unicode than to try editing AMS-encoded text directly.
• Use artistic text, not paragraph text: For headlines and calligraphy, CorelDRAW's artistic text mode (single-click with the Text tool) gives you better control than paragraph text (click-and-drag).
• Outline your text: After converting to curves, add a thin outline to give the calligraphy extra definition at print sizes.
• Pair with English fonts: Many Indian wedding cards mix Hindi calligraphy with English serif fonts. Use CorelDRAW's text frames to combine both scripts in one layout.
• Test at 100% zoom: Always preview your design at actual print size before exporting to ensure the calligraphy details are crisp and legible.

Related Articles

• What Is AMS Font? Complete Guide to AMS Encoding System
• AMS vs Unicode: What's the Difference and When to Use Each
• Best AMS Fonts for Wedding Cards & Invitations
• AMS Font Keyboard Layout: Complete Mapping Guide