On TutKit.com you will find numerous hand lettering templates that you can use to make a creative statement. But how are our eye-catchers for banners, greeting cards and congratulations actually created? Calligraphy specialist Tanya takes you behind the scenes in an interview and video. You can also show off your hand lettering skills with free practice sheets and download a few free hand lettering examples.
Always take it easy! For our hand lettering expert Tanya , this is the most important thing on the job. Because only when the mind is relaxed does the hand have a clear path for a flawless result. What fascinates Tanya about hand lettering? Why does she prefer to go for coffee with a miniature schnauzer? And which calligraphy tips she particularly recommends? Find out all this and more in our interview.
Interview with Tanya: How our hand lettering templates are created
Tanya, you work for TutKit.com with your flair for creativity. Before we get into the topic of hand lettering, tell us a bit about yourself.
So, I'm 27 years old, I live in Zhytomyr in Ukraine and I studied management. I have a bachelor's degree and actually wanted to become an event manager. That was my dream. That's why I started learning Photoshop. But that's where my passion for design came from. And that's why I've been working as a designer instead of a manager for 6 years now. First as a web designer and then as a graphic designer.
My biggest hobby is music. I'm currently working on a synth-pop project. It's called "Makovka". I produce the sound for it, write the songs and perform as a singer. I produce the songs with audio software, synthesizers and live instruments. I also used to play in other bands and projects.
I really like dancing, especially twerking and dancehall. I also love yoga and horse riding. My best friend is my miniature schnauzer dog Elza.
Wow, quite a versatile talent. You prepare trailer videos for us, edit presentation templates - and create beautiful hand lettering templates for our members. How did you get into hand lettering? Why did you stick with it and what fascinates you about it?
I first came into contact with calligraphy at a design festival in Lutsk, Ukraine. There were lectures on constructing letters. However, some time passed before I found my way back to calligraphy. That was during a vacation that I had spent at home for two weeks. Because I was bored, I bought a brush and started to teach myself calligraphy via a few tutorials on YouTube.
For about two years, calligraphy was just one of many hobbies for me. I also like to create typographic logos, for example. But then I came into contact with 4eck Media and calligraphy became my job. When I put the letters on paper, I always feel extremely calm inside me. It's like meditation for me. I also like to listen to music.
Hand lettering - what it takes
Let's take a closer look at your hand lettering process: How do you prepare? What materials do you prepare? When do you use brushes and felt-tip pens? Do you have to go to the craft store to buy other materials from time to time? And do you start with a sketch or just go for it on white paper?
There are basically five stages to creating hand lettering :
- I look for references in terms of style, tools used and historical examples.
- I make sketches on paper.
- I take photos of each sketch.
- I vectorize the photos.
- I edit and color the hand letterings and compose the composition on screen.
Of course, it can also be just two stages, for example, if you want a handmade postcard with your own calligraphy.
When I'm working on my sketches, I really enjoy listening to music. As far as materials are concerned, I have two favorite brush pens: Pentel Touch and Pentel Color Brush. I also use the Copic Multiliner. Sometimes, when I need something special, I also reach for big brushes, sponges, huge paper sizes and a lot of ink - like for our sale handlettering package.
A lettering for a birthday handlettering probably looks completely different from one for a discount campaign, right? What's it like when you draw the first line? Why is it exactly the same and not different? And what influence does the word or theme have on your lines?
The first thing I always do is look for references. Pinterest or the special pages of some calligraphers are a good source of inspiration here. I also think about the target group for this particular hand lettering package and what feelings people want to express with it.
If we're taking calligraphy that's designed to entice purchases, then I think it needs to be bright, bold and eye-catching from the very first second. A soft style doesn't do this justice.
From discount to wedding - these are your handlettering templates on TutKit.com
The handletterings are on the table. Now how do you turn the ink on the paper into a digital template? Which programs do you use? And do you also make changes to the outlines on the computer?
Once I've put the hand lettering on paper, I photograph the sketches and vectorize them. This is a more technical step - I need to know how best to place the dots so that the elements are as easy to edit as possible.
I work with Adobe Illustrator. There are two ways of vectorizing calligraphy here : the image trace function and working with the graphics tablet and pen tool. I prefer the second option. It is more professional and more flexible. However, there are also some cases where I need to display the texture of a brushstroke. Image Trace offers a great option for this.
What do you estimate? How many handletterings have you created so far? Which were the most unusual? And which are your personal favorites?
I have already created five handlettering packages for TutKit.com. The most unusual set is definitely the Sale Handlettering. This is where I learned to work with sponges and brushes. I also worked with huge paper formats and really used a lot of ink in the process. That was an unforgettable experience. I also particularly enjoy creating chalkboard letters with motivational sayings.
In the video: Step by step to hand lettering
Simply try out hand lettering for yourself
I'm sure there are some of our users who would like to start or develop their hand lettering skills. What four tips would you give them?
Well, I recommend the following:
- Get to know the different styles of calligraphy, for example copperplate, rounded cursive or Spencerian. Also read up on their history and character.
- Familiarize yourself with the tools. These include brush pens, brushes, pencils and chalk. Find your favorite tool. A mini brush pen, for example, is quite easy to use, but a normal brush with ink is also a great instrument.
- Make your first sketches - as lines or circles - to get a feel for the movement and the tool. Incidentally, calligraphy worksheets are very useful at all stages.
- Take a few calligraphy courses. You can do this online or attend seminars.
One more thing: try to relax and make yourself as comfortable as possible during the process. Rest is very important. It's best to train for 10 to 15 minutes every day. Take your time. And don't be too strict with your first results. Everything will come if you practise diligently.
Another great way to train is to change your style more often, for example by writing with chalk. This provides variety and is also fun.
Thank you, Tanya, for the insights into your hand lettering process!
Free download: Exercise sheets & hand lettering templates
If you would like to try your hand at hand lettering, download our practice sheets . You will receive the five A4 pages in PDF format. Simply print them out, get your utensils ready and practise your hand lettering.
You can download the hand lettering templates with the words "Save now" and "Stock sale" for free here - in PNG, EPS, AI and PSD formats. You can find more templates of this type in our Sale & Discount hand lettering template package.
We wish you lots of fun and success with your own hand lettering. And take a look at our vector graphics and illustrations, where you will find numerous other graphics for creating your designs in addition to the hand lettering templates.
Profile Tanya
- Marital status: married
- My family includes: my husband Andrew and my dog Elza
- Year of birth: 1995
- I livein: Zhytomyr, a quiet, medium-sized city west of Kiev
- My favorite book: the Discworld novels by Terry Pratchett and the books by Haruki Murakami
- A quote I often repeat: Live your life with maximum passion.
- My learned profession: Manager (but I've never worked as a manager :-))
- I get to sleep about 9 hoursa day. I go to bed around 11 pm and get up around 8 am. I'm only really productive in the morning.
- My dress code: comfortable casual clothes
- My pet: My miniature schnauzer Elza. She likes to go for a coffee with me in the morning.