GD fonts and ImageLoadFont

Hello, I've been trying to figure out how to properly convert a bdf font into a GD font for use with ImageLoadFont. The conversion goes without a problem, and I can load and use the font, but for some reason, all the characters look as though they have a space inserted between them. So, instead of the number "20", I get something that looks like "2 0". Instead of "Hello", I get something that looks like "H e l l o". I've seen suggestions to use the php commands that use truetype instead of GD fonts, but we're working with a hosting company who does not have freetype installed (much less current versions of gdlib and php). Is there something I can do to get the GD fonts to space properly? Thanks, Tom