diff --git a/crates/doc/src/text.rs b/crates/doc/src/text.rs
index e0956b9c..a9bf57ba 100644
--- a/crates/doc/src/text.rs
+++ b/crates/doc/src/text.rs
@@ -797,7 +797,7 @@ mod case_tests {
         assert_eq!(DEFAULT_FONT, named.unwrap_or("Inter"));
         let st = TextStyle::default();
         assert_eq!(st.font_family, DEFAULT_FONT);
-        // The family is always written, so a saved file opens in the same font in any build.
+        // The family is always written, so a saved file keeps it in a build with another default.
         let saved = serde_json::to_value(&st).unwrap();
         assert_eq!(saved["font_family"], DEFAULT_FONT);
     }
diff --git a/docs/releasing.md b/docs/releasing.md
index 765c24b1..8e96a25d 100644
--- a/docs/releasing.md
+++ b/docs/releasing.md
@@ -79,8 +79,10 @@ other fonts) or one its users have installed:
 FIGCRAFT_DEFAULT_FONT="Noto Sans Thai" cargo build --release -p figcraft
 ```
 
-Files record each text's family, so they open in the same font in any build. The release workflow
-leaves it unset.
+Files record each text's family, so the variable only changes what new text starts in: a file
+saved by one build keeps its fonts in a build with another default. Like any other family, it
+renders only where it is available (embedded or installed); elsewhere the text falls back to the
+faces that are. The release workflow leaves it unset.
 
 ## What gets built