How to Letter A Card You Can Be Proud Of With Simple Materials
They deserve handmade.
Once upon a time, I used to make things. I would make paintings, drawings, knits, elaborate cards, gift boxes, wrapping scarves. You name the thing, I made the thing and I’d give said thing to family and friends.
And then, I stopped.
Life just got wayyy to complicated to make any thing and my gifts became more…well, typical…usually electronic, quick, and emailed. I never got used to the impersonal feel of it. But, it was the best I felt I could do at the time.
Not anymore! Since I’m lettering now, I decided to get back to making small gifts as often as I can. What I love about it is that I can show my love and appreciation beautifully and, comparatively, in a short amount of time with no less love given. With a blank card, envelope, a pen, and a pencil you can make a card you can be proud to give to any one of your loved ones and friends that is sure to be keepsake material.
See the steps below for how I made this card.
Materials:
Pentel Graphgear 1000 mechanical pencil or chalk pencil (optional)
a straight edge/ruler (optional)
transfer paper (optional)
extra paper for planning your lettering
Instructions:
Plan out your lettering on a separate sheet of paper or a notebook. I traced my card onto my paper to be sure my composition fit into the card nicely.
Use a ruler to place guidelines using a pencil on the front of the card for your lettering composition. If you have curvier guidelines, carefully sketch those onto the card. I used my Pentel Graphic Gear because I just loves that thing! But, use any pencil you find comfortable. If you have a heavy hand when you draw (raises hand), it can leave dark marks in this card. To avoid this, you can use a chalk pencil as an alternative that is a little easier to conceal when you are using a white pen like the Uni Signo.
Using your pencil, transfer the outline of your sketch to the card freehand or by using transfer paper. If you are heavy-handed like me and choose to draw directly on the card with pencil, once you draw in your outline, erase your marks down so that they are faint, but still visible. If you’re feeling courageous, just go for it with the pen from the gate!
Trace over the outline and fill in your lettering with the Uni Signo pen and make adjustments and embellish as needed.
Admire and send!
Take it Up a Notch
Now, if you do have the time, you can up the ante on this handmade gift by:
making the card and envelope by hand from card stock paper
using dye cuts and embossing folders to creatively design your card and envelope around your lettering
incorporating stamps, foiling techniques, etc.
I hope you make someone special something special soon!
