Custom lettering is more than just typography it’s a visual voice. Whether you’re crafting a logo, building a brand identity, or creating an eye-catching poster, hand-drawn lettering adds personality and authenticity that generic fonts just can’t match. In this post, we’re breaking down our complete workflow for custom lettering from the very first sketch to clean vector artwork. Plus, we’ll share practical tips that have helped me along the way.
If you’re a designer looking to enhance your lettering skills or curious about how to create custom letterforms, this guide is for you.
Before diving into sketching, it’s crucial to define the purpose of your lettering piece. Ask yourself:
For example, a playful food brand might need rounded, bold shapes, while a luxury fashion label may call for elegant, high-contrast strokes. This step ensures your design direction aligns with the overall brand or project goals.
SEO Tip: Keywords like “lettering for branding” or “custom lettering design” can help people find your work, so consider incorporating those when describing your process.
The magic often starts with pencil and paper. While digital tools are powerful, the sketching phase is where creativity flows without constraints. We begin by filling a few pages with quick thumbnails. These are loose, exploratory sketches to test composition, flow, and character.
This early ideation phase helps me avoid tunnel vision and opens up creative possibilities. Even the roughest sketch can hold the seed of a great design.
Check our Sketch-style font: Sketchup font from Typefactory
Once we spot a promising sketch, we refine it. we might redraw it at a larger scale or use tracing paper (or an iPad) to clean up the letterforms. During refinement, I focus on:
This stage often takes a few iterations, especially when creating custom lettering for logos or packaging where every curve matters. It’s also a great time to test how the lettering looks in context—on a product, poster, or app interface.
Also check our lettering-style font: Specimen Script by Typefactory
With a refined sketch in hand, we bring it into Adobe Illustrator (or your preferred vector tool). we import the sketch, lower its opacity, and lock the layer as a template. Then, we start building vector paths using the Pen Tool.
At this stage, precision matters. Unlike sketching, vector work should be tight and intentional—ready for any medium from print to web.
With the base vector complete, we move into the polish phase. This includes:
This is also where we might experiment with stylistic alternates, flourishes, or ligatures to give the lettering even more personality.
Don’t be afraid to walk away and return with fresh eyes—sometimes you’ll spot issues or improvements after a short break.
Once the design is finalized, we prepare the file for its intended use. That could mean exporting:
we also like to document the process—sharing sketches, time-lapses, or breakdowns on platforms like Instagram or Behance. This not only showcases your skill but adds value to your portfolio.
SEO Tip: When you post your work online, use alt text and captions like “custom lettering vector logo” or “hand-drawn script typography” to improve visibility.
Check our other post: Top 8 Font Design Trends 2025
In a world saturated with overused fonts, custom lettering stands out. It adds soul and individuality to your design work. Whether you’re building a brand identity or crafting a personal project, taking the time to create original letterforms can elevate your work and set it apart.
Custom lettering is about more than aesthetics—it’s storytelling through type.
Creating custom lettering—from sketch to vector—is a craft that blends intuition, technical skill, and personal expression. While it takes time and practice, the results are worth it. Every curve, stroke, and space you design contributes to a voice that’s uniquely yours.
If you’re just starting your journey in hand lettering, embrace the imperfections, learn from each piece, and keep experimenting. And if you’re a seasoned pro—keep pushing your style and sharing your process.
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