In this blog post, I would like to tell you a bit more about the world of lettering and what it encompasses. But before we learn more about lettering, let me tell you how it all began for me.
My lettering journey
I started my journey with hand lettering, long before I knew that you could call it hand lettering. In school, I used to doodle on everything I could get my hand on. I tried out different writing styles and combined them with one another. Only in 2017 when I started on my lettering journey, did I realize that that was what I had been doing there all along.
So, I know that I’m not the only one that gets confused with all of these terms revolving around lettering. I also know from clients that they sometimes find it hard to differentiate between lettering and typography.
Therefore, let me bring some structure into this topic. It isn’t as complicated as it might seem at first – I promise!
Lettering
First of all, there are the two terms hand lettering and brush lettering. The overarching terminology for them both is lettering.
There are several differences between these two forms of writing, one being the tools that you utilized when drawing your letters. But also the way in which letters are created is different. We‘ll get to hand- and brush lettering in a minute.
Another thing that often happens is that lettering is confused with typography. Which it shouldn‘t and I’m going to tell you why.
Typography
Typography is known to be the art of creating and arranging type. It was created to make texts more legible and also visually appealing. Very well known typefaces are Helvetica, Times New Roman or even Comic Sans MS (which is still a bit controversial).
When looking at typography, it is commonly differentiated between serif and sans serif typography.
Serif typefaces
Serif typefaces have little „feet“ at the bottom of each letter and also the thickness of the strokes vary within the letters. Times New Roman is an example for a serif type. Commonly, serif types are described to be more classic and traditional. They are also often used for longer text as they are seen to be more legible.
Sans serif typefaces
Sans serif types don‘t have feet and all the letters have a single stroke thickness to them. In contrast to serif types, sans serif types are perceived to be more modern. Sans serif types are often used for online texts, as they are seen to be more legible on screens.
Hand lettering
Knowing the difference between serif and sans serif types is important when it comes to Hand Lettering. When you hand letter, you imitate the styles of serif and/or sans serif types and give them your very own unique spin. There are no rules on how you create your letters and you are free to mix and match the different styles of types with one another. You can also decide yourself which tool you use when Hand Lettering. Use a pencil, a pen or a fine liner. This is the beauty of hand lettering, that you can decide!
Brush lettering
Brush lettering is a form of lettering in which brush pens or brushes are used to draw letters. A brush pen is similar to a brush or like a felt pen with a flexible tip.
There is one main rule for brush lettering, namely that the upstrokes are thin and the downstrokes are thick. The tip of the brush pen and of the brush are both fine and thin and they become broader towards the handle. This enables you to make thin strokes when moving the pen up (thin upstroke) using the tip and broader strokes when moving the pen downwards using the side (thick downstroke).
When people practice faux calligraphy, they imitate the alteration of thin upstrokes and thick downstrokes. The thick downstrokes are added manually.
When people practice faux calligraphy, they imitate the alteration of thin upstrokes and thick downstrokes. The thick downstrokes are added manually.
I hope this was helpful! Let me know if there is anything else you’d like to learn about the different types of lettering or typography.
