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Make and Sell Digital Hand Lettering Art

This article is the Ulitmate guide to Digital Hand Lettering.

digital hand lettering

Are you obsessed with those beautiful, hand-lettered quotes you see all over Instagram and Pinterest? Dreaming of creating your own digital lettering masterpieces but not sure where to start? You’re in the right place! Digital hand lettering is an exciting way to combine art and technology, and the best part? You don’t need to be a professional artist to get started. With just a few tools, some practice, and a bit of creativity, you can transform your handwriting into digital works of art that are uniquely yours.

Whether you’re looking to make some beautiful wall art, create personalized gifts, or even start a small business, digital hand lettering opens up a world of possibilities. This guide is packed with all the tips, tools, and techniques you need to dive right in, even if you’re starting from scratch. So grab your tablet, fire up your favorite app, and let’s embark on this creative adventure together! You’ll be amazed at what you can create with just a few simple steps. Keep reading to find out how!


What is Hand Lettering?

Hand lettering is the art of drawing letters by hand, where each letter is meticulously crafted, rather than using pre-made fonts. Unlike calligraphy, which focuses on writing with consistent strokes, hand lettering is more like illustration. It’s about giving each letter its own unique style and character. This personalized approach allows for endless creativity, whether you’re designing a simple greeting card or a complex mural.

How is Hand Lettering Different from Calligraphy and Typography?

While all three involve designing letters, they differ in execution and purpose. Calligraphy is about writing letters with a specific tool, like a pen or brush, using consistent strokes to form elegant letters. Typography, on the other hand, is the arrangement of pre-designed typefaces (fonts) in a way that is visually appealing or readable. Hand lettering, however, involves drawing each letter by hand, with an emphasis on creativity and uniqueness. It allows for total freedom to mix and match styles, play with shapes, and create a design that stands out.

Best Hand Lettering Books for Beginners

Diving into books is a great way to learn hand lettering techniques and gather inspiration. Here are some beginner-friendly recommendations:

free digital hand lettering

Hand Lettering 101

Hand Lettering 101: An Introduction to the Art of Creative Lettering by Chalkfulloflove: A great starter for understanding the basics and techniques.

The Ultimate Brush Lettering Guide

The Ultimate Brush Lettering Guide” by Peggy Dean – Offers step-by-step exercises for brush lettering.

etsy digital hand lettering
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Creative Lettering and Beyond

Creative Lettering and Beyond: Inspiring Tips, Techniques, and Ideas for Hand Lettering Your Way to Beautiful Works of Art – Provides a variety of styles and ideas for you to explore.

These books come with practice sheets, tips, and plenty of creative ideas to get you started.


How to make Hand lettering Digital?

Making hand lettering digital has never been easier, thanks to tools like Procreate. Procreate is a popular digital illustration app for the iPad that offers a variety of brushes and tools specifically designed for lettering. Start by creating a new canvas in Procreate and selecting a brush that mimics the texture and flow of your favorite pen or brush. Use layers to sketch out your letters and refine them, adding color, shadows, and other effects. This way, you can adjust and experiment without starting from scratch.

Learn digital Hand Lettering on Procreate

To get started with Procreate, familiarize yourself with its interface and brush settings. Start by practicing basic strokes: thick, thin, curvy, and straight lines. Once you’re comfortable with your strokes, try writing a few simple letters. Procreate offers a wide range of brushes that can mimic traditional lettering tools, like markers or calligraphy pens. You can also create custom brushes to suit your style. Don’t be afraid to experiment—this is where the fun begins!

Procreate Lettering Course/tutorial

Taking a Procreate lettering course can accelerate your learning process. Look for online classes and tutorials that offer step-by-step guidance. Courses on platforms like Skillshare or Udemy can teach you the basics, from understanding the app to mastering different lettering styles. Many courses also provide downloadable resources, such as brush sets and practice sheets, to help you refine your skills.


How to Practice Digital Hand Lettering?

YouTube is always my go-to source for beginner-level tutorials and tips. Follow the Channel iPad Lettering with Karin Newport. She has an amazing tutorial that is perfect to get started.

Basic Techniques for Digital Hand Lettering

Start with the fundamentals: warm up with some basic shapes and strokes. Practice drawing lines, curves, and circles to build muscle memory. Learn the anatomy of letters—know the difference between ascenders, descenders, stems, and bowls. Understand how to balance your letters on the baseline, and experiment with spacing to make your words more readable and aesthetically pleasing. The more you practice, the more natural it will feel to control the stylus or digital pen.

Hand lettering Practice sheets

Using practice sheets is a great way to improve your lettering skills. These sheets provide guidelines for you to trace over, helping you develop consistency in your strokes and letter forms. You can find free and paid practice sheets online, specifically designed for digital use. Import these sheets into Procreate or your preferred app, and start practicing.

Explore Brushes for Hand Lettering

Once you have a hang of the basics, you can get creative. Experiment with different brushes to start making beautiful Art from your writing. There are many free and paid brush packs available online. These packs can save you time and provide a wide range of styles to experiment with. You can also create your own brushes by adjusting the settings. This exploration will help you find your unique style and give your lettering a distinct look.


Participate in Hand lettering challenges

Participating in hand lettering challenges is a fun way to practice and connect with other artists. Challenges like the “30 Days of Lettering” or “Hand Lettering A-Z” give you daily prompts to work on, pushing you to create consistently. Practice ideas can also include creating a new letter style each day, mimicking different fonts, or designing a quote in multiple styles. These exercises not only sharpen your skills but also inspire new ideas.

Sell Your Digital Hand Lettering Art

Ready to turn your digital hand lettering into a source of income? Selling your art online is a great way to share your creativity with the world and make some money on the side. Start by creating a portfolio of your best designs to showcase your unique style. Then, choose a platform like Etsy, Redbubble, or Society6, where you can sell your digital hand-lettered pieces. These sites allow you to reach a wide audience and offer both digital downloads and physical products. Don’t forget to use social media to promote your work—post regularly, engage with followers, and share behind-the-scenes glimpses of your creative process to build a connection with your audience.

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Here are some product ideas that you can sell online using your hand lettering art:

  • Printable Quotes and Wall Art – Create inspiring or motivational quotes that people can print and frame for their homes or offices.
  • Greeting Cards – Design cards for birthdays, weddings, holidays, or any special occasion. Digital or printed, hand-lettered cards are always in demand.
  • Stickers – Lettered designs make great stickers for planners, journals, laptops, and water bottles.
  • Custom Invitations – Offer personalized wedding, party, or event invitations with unique hand-lettered touches.

Selling your hand-lettered art is about more than just making money; it’s an opportunity to share your passion with others. Keep creating, stay inspired, and remember that there’s always a market for original, heartfelt art.

Happy Creating!

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