Lettering Landscaping Chapter 2

Importance of Lettering Support element to the overall visual presentation of a product or service So important that corporations obtain trademark protection for the lettering styles they use Landscape plans and drawings require lettering that matches the sophistication and importance of the work they are intended to explain. Clients will associate the graphic quality of the presentation with the quality of the design.

Methods of Lettering Lettering templates Waxed press-on letters Lettering machines Transfer film Hand lettering

Lettering Templates Guides that reproduce the same size and style over and over Various styles and sizes available Selection of sizes necessary Use is limited

Waxed Press-On Letters Quick and easy to use Commercially manufactured in an assortment of styles and size (fig 2-2) Letters are mounted on sheets of plastic or wax paper and transferred to the drawing surface by the heat of friction created when a pencil is rubbed over the surface of the sheet

Waxed Press-on Letters Advantages Disadvantages Easy to apply Create a professional image Easily removed with cellophane tape, permitting correction of errors Expensive Crack with age Wasteful; vowels commonly depleted before consonants Waxed Press-on Letters

Lettering Machines Initial expense is greater Over time the machine is more cost effective Simple to operate No waste

Transfer Film Paper thin, transparent, plastic sheeting with a clear adhesive backing and a sheet of waxed paper over it Commonly referred to as “sticky back” Use is common Allows the use of modern word processors

Hand Lettering Distinctive style Created with single strokes of the pen, pencil or marker Styles used are simple variations of the basic block Heights and centers of the letters are controlled by location of 3 guidelines

Guidelines Control the height and location of letters Aid in the proper shaping of letters Two forms of alteration Changing the location of the center guideline Changing the number of guidelines from 3 to 5

Changing the Center Guideline Can shift the weight of the letter by raising or lowering the center guideline Fig 2-11 and 2-12 p. 21

Changing the Number of Guidelines Significantly alters the appearance of letters 3 guidelines for standard block style 5 guidelines Creates an intentional horizontal angle while keeping the degree of angling consistent throughout Has a looser appearance Not adaptive to lower case letters Fig 2-14 p. 22

Hand Lettering Techniques and Tips Always use guidelines. They will keep the lettering consistently sized and styled throughout the plan and keep lettering straight Keep guidelines light. Use straightedge support for all vertical lines. See fig 2-15 p 22 Continually monitor line quality Keep line intersections free of overlaps to avoid creating an inconsistent, shaggy appearance. Space letters and lines to permit comfortable reading Fig 2-16 p. 23 Maintain case consistency Fig 2-17 p.23

Summary Many methods of lettering Method used is determined by time, importance, presentation style and ease of use. Letter should be made with single strokes Guidelines should be used and changing the number of guidelines can shift the weight of the letters as well as alter the appearance of them