Master Hand Lettering For Your Dream Wedding Invites

Hand lettering wedding invitations is a great way to add a personal touch to your big day. It's not hard to learn, but it does take practice to master. You can choose to hire a calligrapher, or you can DIY your own invitations with a bit of guidance and lots of practice. If you're going to give it a go yourself, you'll need to choose the right tools, select a handwriting style, and plan the composition and layout. You'll also need to allow plenty of time, as hand lettering can be time-consuming, especially if you have a large guest list. But with the right approach and plenty of patience, you can create beautiful, unique invitations that will wow your guests.

Choosing the right tools and materials

Pencils

A good-quality pencil is crucial for hand lettering. Look for a pencil that allows for smooth writing and easy erasing. Mechanical pencils, such as the Staedtler Lead Holder, offer precision and thin lines, making them a popular choice among calligraphers. For a more affordable option, consider the Pentel GraphGear 500 or Staedtler Mars 780, which provide easily erasable lead.

Erasers

When it comes to erasers, a simple white eraser can do the trick. However, for a more professional approach, invest in an eraser pen like the Tombow MONO Zero Eraser or the Pentel Clic Retractable Eraser. These allow for precision erasing without smudging.

Paper

The quality of your paper is also important. Opt for paper that is thick enough to withstand pen strokes but thin enough to see through, such as the Canson XL Mix Media or Rhodia No.16. Avoid using print or copy paper with brush pens, as the tiny fibers can damage your pens.

Rulers

A ruler, such as the eBoot Stainless Steel Ruler, will help you create clear, straight lines and leave the desired space between words.

Ink Pens

Once you've finished sketching and erasing, it's time to move on to ink pens. Choose a pen with great ink flow, such as the Copic Multiliner SP Black Ink Marker. For filling in letters, you can select a bigger or smaller pen depending on your needs. Other popular options include the Sakura 30062 6-Piece Pigma and the Faber-Castell Essential PITT Artist Pens, which create smooth, thin, and thick lines.

Brush Pens

Brush pens are a popular choice for hand lettering and can create beautiful script. The Tombow Dual Brush Pen Art Marker is a versatile option, offering both a brush tip and a fine tip for detail work. The Sakura 50028 Pigma Professional Brush is another excellent choice, providing precise and consistent lines.

Practice and Experimentation

Remember, the most important thing is to practice and experiment with different tools and materials to find what works best for you. Start with basic supplies and gradually expand your toolkit as you gain more experience and skills.

Planning the composition and layout

Sections and Hierarchy

Begin by dividing your content into sections. Typically, wedding invitations include an introduction, the couple's names, and event details. Decide which sections you want to emphasise. For instance, you may want to give the most focus to the couple's names, followed by a key phrase in the introduction.

Determining the Styles

To highlight the couple's names, consider using two different script styles. For instance, you could use a bold Gothic script for the couple's names and an elegant Copperplate style for the remaining information. Mixing different script styles creates a nice contrast and helps to group the content, drawing attention to the most important elements. However, be careful not to use too many styles, as this could cause confusion.

Creating an Initial Template

Before finalising your layout, it's a good idea to create a template and a rough draft to see how the invitation will look and to identify any areas for improvement. Start by setting your margins, leaving enough space for your content. Then, pick the longest sentence in your invitation and write it out to estimate the size of your letters. Adjust the length of your phrases or sentences as needed to ensure they fit well within the margins.

Overview of the Layout

Once you have your template and estimated letter sizes, you can create a second template to focus on centring your text on the page. You may also want to adjust the size of certain elements, such as the couple's names, to make them more eye-catching. Play around with different nib sizes to achieve the desired effect.

Final Template

After making any necessary adjustments, you can create your final template on the actual paper you plan to use for your invitations. This will be your guide when writing out the invitations.

Remember, it's important to take the time to plan and not rush into the project. Practise your lettering, experiment with different tools and styles, and allow extra time for proofing and test runs.

Practising different strokes and shapes

There are eight basic brush strokes that you'll need to learn in order to master Brush Script, the most popular style of hand lettering. These strokes include upstrokes, downstrokes, overturns, underturns, compound curves, ovals, ascending loops, and descending loops.

Here's a step-by-step guide to practising each of these strokes:

• Uptrokes: Start at the bottom and extend upwards with a slight curve. Apply light pressure and use a thin brush pen or waterbrush. Go slow and maintain a consistent speed. Avoid "flicking" at the end of the stroke.
• Downstrokes: Start at the top and extend downwards, beginning with medium pressure and gradually adding more pressure as you reach the bottom. Remember to ease off the pressure as you approach the end of the stroke. Maintain a consistent speed.
• Overturns: Start at the bottom with an upstroke, then curve into a thick downstroke. Ensure your lines stay parallel and on the same plane. Avoid adding a "flick" or tail at the bottom.
• Underturns: Start at the top with a downstroke and transition into a light upstroke. Keep your lines parallel and release pressure early to create a thin line.
• Compound Curves: Combine an overturn and an underturn. The trick is to keep all three lines parallel. Avoid making points at the top and bottom of the curves and adding a "flick" or "swoosh" at the end.
• Ovals: Start on the side of the oval, not the top. Begin with an upstroke using light pressure, then transition into a heavy pressure downstroke, and finally, switch back to a light pressure upstroke. Avoid making pointed edges at the top and bottom.
• Ascending Loops: Start in the middle with a light upstroke, then add pressure as you curve back down. Ensure everything is at the same angle and avoid creating a tail at the end of the loop.
• Descending Loops: Start with a heavy downstroke, applying pressure until you curve back up with a light upstroke. Maintain a steady speed and avoid creating a tail at the end of the loop.

Remember, calligraphy is all about muscle memory. Practise these strokes repeatedly, and soon your hand will learn what to do without you having to think so hard. Repetition is key, and practice always makes progress. So, grab your brush pen and some practice sheets, and get started on your hand lettering journey!

Learning the alphabet and different lettering styles

Understanding the Basics

Before diving into specific lettering styles, it's crucial to understand the fundamentals of letter anatomy and terminology. Familiarize yourself with terms like "ascender," "descender," "baseline," "counter," "thick," "thin," and "slant." These elements play a significant role in shaping your letters and creating visually appealing compositions.

Exploring Different Lettering Styles

• Sans Serif Lettering: Sans serif, or block letters, are an excellent starting point for beginners due to their basic shapes. The term "sans" means "without" in French, referring to the absence of decorative strokes at the ends of the letterforms. When creating sans serif lettering, pay close attention to consistency in thickness, heights, and spacing. The "wooden board" technique can help you visualize and construct letters by dividing them into basic shapes.
• Serif Lettering: Serif lettering shares similarities with sans serif but adds small decorative strokes (serifs) at the ends of the letterforms. Additionally, serif lettering varies in stroke thickness, with upstrokes being thin and downstrokes being thick. When drawing serif letters, use the "wooden board" technique and pay attention to where the serifs are placed.
• Cursive Lettering: Cursive lettering, also known as script, involves writing characters together in a flowing manner. In hand lettering, cursive is created by following the "up thin and down thick" rule from calligraphy. The beauty of cursive hand lettering lies in the freedom to create any shapes or forms without the limitations of calligraphy tools.
• Vintage Lettering: Vintage lettering is characterized by decorations, flourishes, and embellishments. It evokes a sense of tradition and can be a great choice for representing something old and classic. To create vintage lettering, research examples on platforms like Pinterest and identify elements you like to use as inspiration.
• Gothic/Blackletter Calligraphy: Gothic lettering, originating from the Middle Ages, resembles medieval times and is perfect for conveying a sense of tradition and strength. It stands out and creates a nice contrast compared to other lettering styles.
• Graffiti: Graffiti and hand lettering share similarities when it comes to the tools used on paper. However, graffiti is typically performed on vertical surfaces using spray paint cans. Graffiti offers more freedom in terms of shapes and forms, without strict rules seen in styles like blackletter or copperplate calligraphy.
• Creative Lettering: This style incorporates illustrations, textures, play on words, and perspective, adding context and bringing letters to life. While it may require some illustration experience, platforms like Pinterest and Instagram can provide ample inspiration for your creative lettering journey.

Developing Your Own Style

As you explore these lettering styles, remember that the key to developing your unique style is to understand the fundamental rules and then bend or break them creatively. Maintain legibility while adding your personal touch, and don't be afraid to experiment and express your personality through your letters.

Joining up words and writing out phrases

Joining Letters

As a beginner, give your letters tails instead of trying to write a word all in one go. Take the pen off the page each time you finish a letter before joining the next letter to the previous tail. This gives the illusion of continuous handwriting. You might find it easier to use a pencil to sketch out the rough placement of your letters first.

Writing Out Phrases

Before you’re ready to get started on the real thing, make sure you’ve practised lots and lots. If you’re doing names, write them out several times on practice paper so you’re confident when you come to the DIY.

Top Tips

• Always remember you can draw a rough outline in pencil if you need to.
• Choose a lettering style that matches the formality and atmosphere of your wedding, like a formal script for an evening affair, or a breezier cursive for a beachfront ceremony.
• You can also use more than one type of lettering, creating a custom combination that shows off your event’s personality.
• If you’re writing out a whole phrase, it might be helpful to measure the width of each line to ensure your letters are centred.
• If you’re writing out a long phrase, it might be helpful to break it up into sections.
• To emphasise certain words or names, consider using a different script style, or a bolder font.
• If you’re writing out a whole phrase, it might be helpful to use a guide sheet underneath your paper, or a lightbox.

Frequently asked questions