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Lettering materials: build your kit and draw your first letters
Lettering materials …
Do you want to learn the art of drawing letters by hand? To start this new adventure you will need the best materials to make lettering from markers to a good notebook that allows you to express your artistic side.
If this is your first time drawing letters, you can start with the basic and functional lettering materials. Do you want to know what they are? In this note we will tell you about it.
Get ready and know the complete hand lettering guide!
Index
- Lettering tutorial for beginners
- What are the materials to make lettering?
- Basic materials to make lettering
- What markers to use to make lettering?
- What are the best markers for lettering?
- FREE templates to practice lettering
If you already know a little about this art and want to know what materials you will need, you can skip to the next point. But if you are interested in knowing a good lettering tutorial for beginners, you can stay here …
A good introduction to the world of lettering requires knowing the basics. From finding the answers to the questions what is and how to make letters by hand to a tutorial on how to make lettering step by step.
In the note, how to make lettering from scratch and love the result? We will tell you more about it and, if you need inspiration for beautiful letters, you can review the 70 lettering fonts that will give life to your designs.
And if you are looking for courses to start practicing lettering, we recommend the following:
Table of Contents
Lettering online course: The art of drawing letters
Do you know how to draw the letters to make lettering? The ability to make beautiful letters is not a talent, you just need practice, practice, and more practice. In this online course you will learn how to do it.
Lettering online course: composition on silhouettes
Do you want to know how to make beautiful letters on paper?
In this lettering course you will learn its characteristics and main differences with calligraphy or typography and, in addition, you will discover which are the best surfaces to apply your work, main references and work with silhouettes for letters.
Online Lettering course with Procreate
If you are one of those who prefers to practice lettering digitally, then in this course with Procreate you will learn the use of the program, lettering techniques and the creation of digital brushes to bring your creations to life.
There is so much information on the internet when we search for “lettering materials” that the search can be overwhelming and even a bit confusing.
That is why, in the simple words of our teacher Luis Lili, he explains the first thing you should take into account when we talk about lettering materials.
They can try whatever tool they feel comfortable with or want to experiment with. If there is a particular style of lettering that catches your eye, see if it is made with a particular tool. There are certain finishes that are only achieved with certain lettering materials. And, also, pay close attention to the substrate. In this case the paper to practice the traditional way. The brush pen works very well on this surface. But if you get a multipurpose marker like a Sharpie or try to use brushes and acrylic paints, you could make lettering on any surface. It’s a matter of practice and planning.
Lettering materials list for beginners
The first 4 resources on the Beginner Lettering Materials List will help you make your sketches before you start drawing your letters.
- Pencil
- Eraser
- Rule
- Bond paper
- Felt pens
- Markers or brush pen
- Markers
- Lettering pad
Image: Unsplash
Now we will detail the basic materials you need to make lettering. You can choose between the cheapest or look for a similar option. Anything goes!
Lettering paper or pad
There are different types of paper or pad for lettering. Any option is valid. The important thing is to practice; But if you prefer to start tracing the letters, we recommend doing it on tracing paper.
Pencils for your first lettering letters
To start creating your first letters in lettering, you should use 2B pencils or another option that helps you draw your guidelines with the ruler.
It is always a very good idea to start sketching with a mechanical pencil or any pencil. Of course, keep in mind the precision of mechanical pencils.
One recommendation is this mechanical pencil from Staedtler.
- Create very thin lines.
- Works with a 2mm lead
- It’s made out of metal. This will help you to have a good weight on your hands when drawing the lettering letters.
Image: Amazon
Pencil and ink letter eraser
Use an eraser that allows you to get rid of the letters made in ink or pencil.
The Tombow eraser is made with sand particles that allow you to erase any sketch made with pencils or ink.
- It is made from a mixture of sand and rubber.
- It is double-sided for erasing pen and ink marks.
- With the rubber side you can erase your sketches made with pencils.
- With the other side you can remove ink and pens stains or marks.
- Does not damage the paper
Image: Amazon
Ruler to easily draw lettering
It is important to create your guidelines to guide you in drawing your letters. And a ruler to easily draw lettering is one of the most basic elements you should have.
You don’t need a very large ruler, you only need a 15-centimeter one. It is the perfect size for your sketches in a notebook or lettering pad.
Make sure to draw your lettering straight with this 6-inch pink brass ruler.
Image: Amazon
In the following points we will tell you a little more about these lettering materials: markers, markers and markers.
One of the most important lettering materials are markers.
There are a wide variety of marker pens brands; But if you want to know which are the best markers to start making lettering, here we tell you.
But first, if you are interested in knowing the types of markers and how to choose one, I invite you to read this note.
Tombow lettering markers
Tombow Fudenosuke lettering markers are the favorites of designers and, in addition to being known for their excellent line quality, they have different options depending on the type of letters you want to practice.
- They are the best markers to start lettering because they are very easy to use.
- They are normal sized, easy to use, write smoothly, and have a small nib to better control your first strokes.
- There are two models of fudenosuke lettering markers: hard tip and soft tip. Buy the two models to practice different finishes.
Image: Amazon
Markers for brush lettering
The best known and most popular markers for brush lettering are the Tombow Dual Brush brush tip.
- They have two tips: a regular marker tip and a brush tip.
- With the normal tip you can color and draw lettering titles.
- With the brush tip you can brush lettering and fake calligraphy.
- Use the special paper to practice with your Tombow markers.
Image: Amazon
Cheap lettering markers
In Amazon you can find an infinity of cheap lettering markers; But if you are looking for a particular recommendation, we recommend the Pentel Sign Pen Touch.
- You have 12 colors and the results are very similar to those of Tombow Fudenosuke.
- Fiber brush tip for thick and fine lines.
- Ideal for lettering, calligraphy and graphics illustration.
- It has brilliant colors with water-based ink.
Image: Amazon
Another important lettering material is markers. Do you know which ones are the best to start practicing?
We tell you our selection!
Copic Multiliner SP lettering marker
This Copic Multiliner SP black ink lettering marker is ideal for outlining your first letters.
- It has 10 replaceable tip sizes for Black SP.
- Use pop out ink cartridges.
- Its body is made of professional quality aluminum.
Image: Amazon
Sakura 30062 Pi lettering pen
Sakura 30062 Pi brand lettering pens are perfect for contouring and correcting wavy edges.
- They are resistant to water.
- Pigment-based ink.
- It does not stain the papers.
- Dry ink at neutral pH.
Image: Amazon
Markers to draw beautiful letters
In addition to using markers, Crayola brand markers are easy to use for practicing lettering.
- They have 10 colors (classic and vibrant)
- Wide line markers: for drawing letters and coloring
- They are cheap
Image: Amazon
Now that you know what materials to use to make lettering, we share our favorite templates.
Download them for free and practice your first lettering.
Happy birthday lettering templates
Lettering alphabet template
Lettering template of the months of the year
Lettering guide from scratch
Lettering templates
Brush lettering guide for beginners
Beautiful lettering phrases
Finally, these are the lettering materials that you can add to your toolkit to start drawing beautiful letters.
This kit of lettering materials can grow little by little as you gain more experience.
Good luck!