When I first got into hand-lettering, I had a hard time finding people who shared their full process—especially the digitizing phase. So here’s a look at how I typically work. Everyone’s process is different, and a lot depends on your style and how you plan to present the piece. For me, since I don’t have the steadiest hand, I tend to embrace rough, scrappy, distressed looks. Most of my work ends up digital anyway, so mistakes can be fixed later. Here’s a short process video I made a while back.
Thumbnails & Sketching
- Start with quick thumbnail ideas on scrap paper.
- Refine the chosen direction with a pencil on Bristol Paper.
- If possible, I use a drawing pencil (softer, lighter lead makes cleanup easier).
- After inking, I clean up with an art gum eraser.
Inking
- My go-tos are Microns in different thicknesses. In the video I sharedI used a
.08for outlines andGraphic 1for filling letters. - I used a Gelly Roll 10 to add cut-outs, create depth, and fix small mistakes 😬.
Digitizing
- I scan the inked artwork using Scanner Pro on iOS.
- Clean up in Pixelmator Pro.
- Add textures for distress and wear (I’ve collected a bunch of texture packs over the years).
Where I’ve Used This
This is basically the same process I followed for my State Motto series, and most of my other lettering projects.
Don’t be afraid to lean into your natural tendencies (like a scrappier style if your hand isn’t steady) and use the digital phase to enhance or correct. Trial and error is a huge part of it.