Montage is throwing error: `unable to read font`

[ace-dent]

ImageMagick version

7.1.2-18

Operating system

MacOS

Operating system, version and so on

26.4 (25E246) Tahoe

Description

Using latest version: ImageMagick 7.1.2-18 Q16-HDRI aarch64 23822 (from homebrew)...

When combining images with montage, the new image is generated, but an error is thrown:

montage: unable to read font `' @ error/annotate.c/RenderFreetype/1660.

Previously this was working fine.

Steps to Reproduce

• Combining two images with magick montage Bulbasaur-0.png Bulbasaur-1.png Bulbasaur.png.
• Error is produced :-(

Images

[ace-dent]

Tested with homebrew building from --HEAD, Version: ImageMagick 7.1.2-19 (Beta) Q16-HDRI aarch64 d4e4b2b35:20260322. ❌ Error still occurs.

[urban-warrior]

Add -font option to your command-line whose argument is a valid font on your host.

[ace-dent]

Thanks @urban-warrior .

Trying with ... -font Arial ... produces this error:

montage: unable to read font `Arial' @ warning/annotate.c/RenderType/1026.
montage: unable to read font `Arial' @ error/annotate.c/RenderFreetype/1660.

Is specifying a font (even when no annotation), a new requirement?

Update:
Just tried magick -list font and nothing is returned... so... specifying the full path works: ... -font "/System/Library/Fonts/Supplemental/Arial.ttf" ... ✅

But: I have never needed to specify a font when using a simple Montage command. Everything was working until recently updating via brew.

[fmw42]

Font needs to be in type.xml file. So use full path to font file with suffixSent from my iPhoneOn Apr 10, 2026, at 4:47 AM, Andrew ***@***.***> wrote:ace-dent left a comment (ImageMagick/ImageMagick#8667) Thanks @urban-warrior . Trying with ... -font Arial ... produces this error: montage: unable to read font `Arial' @ warning/annotate.c/RenderType/1026. montage: unable to read font `Arial' @ error/annotate.c/RenderFreetype/1660. Is specifying a font (even when no annotation), a new requirement? —Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe.You are receiving this because you are subscribed to this thread.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[snibgo]

fmw42 wrote:

Font needs to be in type.xml file.

Is this a new requirement? Or maybe just on MacOS? On Windows, fonts are not listed in type.xml; IM picks up fonts from the operating system.

ace-dent wrote:

Just tried magick -list font and nothing is returned.

This suggests a major problem.

On Windows 11, IM v7.1.2-18, the commands...

magick -list font

magick montage rose: wizard: out.png

... work without complaint. The first command lists many fonts, as expected.

[fmw42]

Perhaps that is a Unix as situation. That is how it works on my MacSent from my iPhoneOn Apr 10, 2026, at 9:26 AM, snibgo ***@***.***> wrote:snibgo left a comment (ImageMagick/ImageMagick#8667) fmw42 wrote: Font needs to be in type.xml file. Is this a new requirement? Or maybe just on MacOS? On Windows, fonts are not listed in type.xml; IM picks up fonts from the operating system. ace-dent wrote: Just tried magick -list font and nothing is returned. This suggests a major problem. On Windows 11, IM v7.1.2-18, the commands... magick -list font magick montage rose: wizard: out.png ... work without complaint. The first command lists many fonts, as expected. —Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe.You are receiving this because you commented.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[brc-dd]

I was having the same issue then I uninstalled imagemagick and installed imagemagick-full brew formula which seems to work fine.

[ace-dent]

Thanks @brc-dd. I did note that the brew formula was updated to include freetype back in February... so I did wonder if this is a build issue.
But, isn't the issue that no font should be required for a simple montage action?