Hand Lettering

Hand lettering differs from calligraphy in one key way: you're drawing letters rather than writing them. Each letter is constructed, sketched, refined. This gives you complete freedom—any style is possible, from Victorian ornament to modern minimalism.

Lettering appears everywhere: logos, packaging, murals, social media. Learning hand lettering gives you a skill both personally satisfying and professionally valuable. You see typography differently once you understand how letters are built.

Before digital fonts, every printed letter was designed by hand. Sign painters, typographers, and letterers created the visual landscape. Their craft evolved from medieval scribes through Victorian excess to mid-century modernism.

When computers made typography easy, hand lettering nearly disappeared. But the pendulum swung back. Today, hand-lettered work commands premium prices precisely because it's not automated. Instagram and Etsy have created new markets for lettering artists.

Hand lettering classes often start with analyzing existing typefaces—understanding what makes letters work before creating your own. You'll sketch, refine, and polish, treating each letter as a small drawing.

Studios provide paper and basic drawing tools. Some classes incorporate brush pens or digital tablets. The emphasis is on seeing and drawing rather than specialized equipment.

Classes typically run 2-3 hours. Unlike calligraphy, lettering doesn't require mastering pen angles or ink flow—it's more accessible for those who find traditional calligraphy frustrating.