Hand Lettering
Hand lettering is the art of drawing decorative letters and words by hand, creating unique typographic designs with personality and flair. Unlike handwriting, you draw each letter stroke by stroke, turning simple words into expressive visual art. It's a meditative, creative practice that transforms ordinary notes, cards, and journals into beautiful keepsakes.
What You'll Do
What You Need
Required
- ●Pencil and eraser($0)
- ●Plain paper (printer paper or notebook)($0)
- ●Ruler for guidelines($0)
Optional
- ○Black fine-tip pen or marker($2-5)
- ○Brush pen (like Tombow Fudenosuke)($4-6)
How To Do It
- 1
Set up your workspace
Gather your pencil, eraser, paper, and ruler. Use the ruler to draw light horizontal guidelines on your paper: a (where letters sit), an line about 1/2 inch above it (top of lowercase letters), and an line another 1/2 inch higher (for tall letters like h, b, l).
- 2
Follow a beginner tutorial
Watch one complete tutorial to learn the fundamental concepts of hand lettering, including thick s, thin s, and basic letterforms.
- 3
Practice basic strokes
Before writing letters, practice the foundational strokes: thin s (light pressure moving upward) and thick s (heavy pressure moving downward). Fill a few lines with these strokes, focusing on consistency rather than speed.
- 4
Letter the alphabet
Using your guidelines, slowly draw each letter of the alphabet in a simple script style. Focus on making s thicker than s. Lift your pen between strokes rather than writing in one continuous motion.
- 5
Write your first word
Choose a short word (like 'hello' or 'love') and letter it 3-5 times. Pencil it first, then trace over with your pen if desired. Compare each attempt and notice improvements. Erase any visible guidelines when finished.
Tips
- →Common mistake: rushing through letters. Slow down dramatically—beautiful lettering comes from deliberate, controlled movements, not quick strokes.
- →Hold your pen at a 45-degree angle to the paper, not straight up like regular writing. This allows the full brush tip to contact the paper for thick s.
- →Start with (drawing letters with a regular pen, then thickening s) before investing in s. This builds muscle memory without the added challenge of pressure control.
- →Use guidelines religiously. Professional letterers use them too—they're not training wheels, they're essential tools for consistent, polished work.
- →Practice on smooth paper (like HP Premium 32 or Rhodia). Regular printer paper causes s to fray quickly and makes strokes harder to control.
Communities
Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to learn hand lettering?
You can create your first decorated word in 30 minutes. Developing consistent, polished lettering typically takes 10-20 hours of practice over several weeks. Like any skill, improvement comes with regular practice rather than marathon sessions.
What's the difference between hand lettering and calligraphy?
Hand lettering is drawing letters—you build each letter stroke by stroke and can go back to refine them. Calligraphy is writing letters with a pressure-sensitive tool in one continuous motion. Hand lettering is more forgiving for beginners since you can erase and adjust.
Do I need special pens or paper to start?
No! Start with a regular pencil and any paper you have. Once you understand the basics, you can try s (Tombow Fudenosuke is great for beginners) and smooth paper (which protects brush tips and gives cleaner lines).
Why do my letters look shaky or inconsistent?
Most likely you're either moving too fast or not using guidelines. Slow down dramatically—lettering is drawn, not written. Draw light pencil guidelines for every piece, and focus on making just the s thick. Consistency improves with practice.
Should I learn cursive first?
It helps but isn't required. If your cursive is rusty, start with print-style hand lettering (sans serif or serif) before attempting script styles. Many letterers specialize in print styles and never use cursive.