TypeTalk: Hand-Drawn Type

Learn how to use informal letters that look like (or are) actual handwriting as an alternative to traditional typefaces.

Ilene Strizver

Hand-drawn lettering is an excellent alternative to a traditional typeface. I’m not (necessarily) talking about fancy calligraphy or professionally drawn hand lettering, but informal letters that look like (or are) actual handwriting.

Figure 1. Seven styles of hand-drawn writing mirror the message in this poster by Jen Mussari, who says she “tries to maintain the integrity of each letterform.”

Here are some reasons why I like this organic approach:

  • The unique results can speak to your audience in a personal way
  • Because it’s so customized, it can match layout needs and target audience preferences precisely
  • It can appear to come from a specific person or voice, such as a child’s scrawl, a famous person’s handwriting, etc.
  • It can be cheaper than using a font!
Figure 2. One advantage of hand lettering is that it can fit any shape without the distortion of computer scaling.
Figure 3. This writing appears to be drawn on an arm, but it was most likely drawn and combined with the illustration to fit the shape of the arm, then overlaid on the photograph.

While you can certainly hire a professional lettering artist or illustrator to create the kind of writing you need, that isn’t the only way. Do you, or does anyone you know, have eye-catching handwriting? Have you ever received correspondence with writing that’s attractive, interesting, or even quirky? These are all possible sources. Give it your best shot, or ask your friends, family, or coworkers to write a sample.

Figure 4. This hand-drawn lettering compliments the illustration perfectly. In fact, they were most likely done by the same person.
Figure 5. Two different styles of beautifully written lettering are a thoughtful reflection of the title, A Love Letter…

Once you find a style you like, then what? Digital technology has accustomed us to multiple undo’s, and happily, the final version of your lettering doesn’t have to be created in one attempt. Here are steps to go from concept to final artwork:

1. Write (or have written) the actual text several times at a size close to the desired final size. The letters can stand alone or be part of an entire word.

2. Use tracing paper to revise and redraw as necessary.

3. Scan and import the drawings into Illustrator or whatever software you like to create workable, editable vector images.

4. Choose the letterforms and/or entire words you want to appear in the final layout.

5. Assemble the letters and words in your layout.

6. Adjust the size, weight, spacing, alignment, and color as desired.

Figure 6. All of the lettering on this book cover, including that on the glove, is drawn to perfectly fit the well thought-out composition.
Figure 7. Not so much handwriting as constructed letterforms, this treatment creates a powerful focal point for this striking book cover.
Figure 8. Hand-drawn lettering on the cover of a high-fashion magazine makes it stand out from the crowd of mostly font-based covers.
Figure 9. Font or hand-drawn type? My guess is font, but it doesn’t really matter as this eye-catching treatment emphasizes the message for this website.

If you’re willing to forgo some individuality for a faster and relatively inexpensive alternative, there are many hand-drawn fonts that might serve your purpose. Check out YouWorkForThem for a sampling.

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This article was last modified on May 4, 2026

This article was first published on January 11, 2012

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