Lettering and Micro Lettering

Andrew Biggs

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Hi David

Another thing that may be of use to yourself and others is the "Speedball" books on lettering. That's the same "Speedball" as in inks and pen nibs. Usually you can buy the books from places that sell calligraphy supplies.

The book is generally updated every few years. It's cheap and small but contains a wealth of information about the form, shape and spacing of letters. Some of the really old ones that you get occasinally from second hand book shops have some really good ornate styles in them. They are well worth purchasing.

One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to rely soley on the computer fonts being 100% right. Often, on some of the fonts, the kerning (spacing of letters) is wrong and have to be adjusted manually to compensate for this. This is where a basic understanding of lettering comes in real handy.

Hope that helps

Andrew Biggs
 

Sam

Chief Administrator & Benevolent Dictator
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That's good advice, Andrew. Not only can the spacing be bad with computer fonts, but few are as 'graver friendly' as true engraver's lettering styles. / ~Sam
 

Andrew Biggs

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Joined
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Messages
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Location
Christchurch, New Zealand
There is also a really neat free download at http://www.download.com/The-Font-Thing/3000-2316_4-10038296.html

It takes about 10 seconds to install.

It's called "The Font Thing" What it does is enable you to see everything that a particular font in your computer has available. Often there will be variations of a letter that is hidden unless you type in a specific sequence of keys.

Typically it is...hold down the ALT key and type in the numbers relating to that letter on the right hand key pad of your key board. It should always be 4 digits so if the substitute letter has only three numbers then type in a zero first (remember to use the keypad on the right of the key board or it won't work.

It sounds complicated but once you have done it once you'll see what I mean.

I've personally found it a great little programme over the years.

Another source of some free and "pay for" fonts is at http://www.letterheadfonts.com/
They are beautifully hand crafted fonts by some leading artists in their areas. Not all are suited to engraving but if you are after something that is a little outside the square then have a look. Some of the scripts in particular are beautiful and because they are hand drawn to begin with have that old world look. Yes, you have to pay for most of them but what you get is something truly unique.


Cheers
Andrew
 
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