1. Lettering
Landscaping
Chapter 2

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.

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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 p. 23
Maintain case consistency
Fig p.23

14. 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