LETTERING

LETTERING – the process by which letters

& numbers are formed through writing in
comparison with printing which is done through
the use of machine.
ORIGIN & DEVELOPMENT OF
LETTERS
1. EGYPTIAN – Hieroglyphics or picture
writing.
a) Thing picture
b) Idea picture (ideograph)
c) Word-sound picture
d) Syllable-sound picture
e) Letter-sound picture
2. PHOENICIANS – Cuneiform or wedge
shape writing.
a) Contributed 19 consonoants
b) Consisted of 22 letters
3. GREEK – bousterophedon writing.
a) Developed the vowel sounds
b) Contributed 13 letters to the Roman
alphabet.
4. ROMANS
a) Gave the form of the letters from where
the existing letters in our alphabet were
derived.
3. TEXT LETTERS – considered the most
artistic of all letter styles. Most certificates,
diplomas & citations are lettered in this
style. (e.g. GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME.
143.)
4. SCRIPT LETTERS – belong to the
longhand style of writing. They afford a
good combination with the Old English
style used in citations & diplomas.
(e.g. GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME. 143)
5. ITALIC LETTERS – printed at a slant, the
single outstanding characteristics. Roman,
Gothic, Text & most other styles can be
italicized. Examples:
a) GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME. 143
b) GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME. 143
c) GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME. 143
PARTS OF LETTERS
1. STEM – the main part of a letter. It is either
the horizontal or vertical unit of the letter.
2. SWASH LINE – the sloping or slanting part
of the letter.
3. LOBE or FILLET – the curved part of the
letter.

STYLES OF LETTERS
1. GOTHIC LETTERS – composed of uniform
T stem
width elements & are sometimes referred
to as the letters of the basic alphabet.
(e.g. GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME. 143)

2. ROMAN LETTERS – characterized by

V swash line

thick downward stroke & thin connecting

stroke. Their ends have spurs called seriff.
They are considered the parent of all letter
styles.
C lobe
a) Old Classic Roman
(e.g. GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME.
143)
b) Modern Roman R lobe
(e.g. GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME. stem
143) swash line
GENERAL DIVISION OF LETTERS
1. SINGLE-STROKE LETTERS – those done
with one stroke of the pen or pencil.
(e.g. GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME.)
2. OUTLINE/DRAWN/BUILT-UP LETTERS –
those first outlined & then filled up for more
emphasis.
(e.g.
) W, X,
GENERAL PROPORTION OF
LETTERS
1. NORMAL LETTERS – are of normal
proportion. They are used where there is
adequate space of all lettering.
GOD IS G O O D.
2. EXTENDED LETTERS – are bigger or
wider than normal letters. They are used
when space is available is wider.
G O D I S G O D.
3. COMPRESSED LETTERS – are narrower
than normal letters. They are used when
space is limited.
GOD IS GOOD.
PROPORTION OF NORMAL
LETTERS
I – the narrowest & is foundation of all letters.
W – the widest letter.
O, Q, M – the second widest letters.
A, C, D, G, K, U, X, Y – the third widest
letters.
Other letters are of average width.
CLASSIFICATION OF LETTERS
1. UPPERCASE LETTERS – capital letters.
2. LOWERCASE LETTERS – small letters.
a) Ascending Letters – extends upward.
(e.g. h)
b) Descending Letters – extends
downward. (e.g. y)
GROUPING OF LETTERS
1. REGULAR LETTERS – E, H, I, M, N
2. IRREGULAR LETTERS – A, F, K, L, T, V,
Y, Z
3. CIRCULAR LETTERS – B, C, D, G, J, O,
P, Q,
R, S
LOWERCASE FORMS
1. STRAIGHT LINE LETTERS – i, j, k, l, t, v,
w, x, y
2. ELLIPSE LETTERS – c, e, o, s
3. LOOP LETTERS – a, b, d, p, q
4. HOOK LETTERS – f, h, m, n, u, y
GUIDE LINES IN LETTERING
1. CAP LINE – the topmost line where
ascending letters touch.
2. WAIST LINE – the line positioned at the
center, between the cap line and the base
line, where the heading of a letter touches.
3. BASE LINE – the line where all letters
stand.
4. DROP LINE – the line where the
descending letters touch.
n cap line
2n Mary waist line
n base line
drop line
RULES OF STABILITY IN
LETTERING
1. The upper portion of the letters B, E, F, H,
K, S, X and Z & the numbers 2, 3, and 8
must be slightly diminished.
2. The central horizontal stroke of the letters
B, E, F and H must be slightly higher than
the vertical center.
3. The upper portion of the letters K, S, X and
Z & the numbers 2, 3 and 8 must be less
wide than the lower portion.