Books about Lettering – My 2021 Picks
Hand lettering and font drawing are some of the most rewarding hobbies out there. If you ask me, the best way to build your skills is to support yourself with the right resources and spark some inspiration. This means finding the right books about lettering to dive into.
Practice makes perfect, but reading the right books makes sure you’re practicing the right way! Whether you’re a seasoned pro or an absolute beginner, it’s always worth expanding your horizons by reading the right material.
You never know what you might learn. Even one small technique or trick can easily be worth the price of a whole book.
I’ve been involved with lettering and the art of drawing letters for a long time now. I still learn from the things I read nearly every day! On this page, we’ll explore some of my top picks for the best books on font drawing, lettering, and everything in its periphery.
Read on to find your next bedtime read.
Why You Should Read Books About Lettering
There’s a virtually endless list of different styles and fonts out there. Diving into the right books will help you encounter as many different approaches as possible. Slowly but surely, you’ll come to find the styles that you prefer.
You never know what new piece of information or set of skills you’ll pick up. I find regular reading is a great way to build my confidence and expand my horizons.
Books on Lettering for Beginners and Pros Alike
Right, let's get into it. The list below contains a varied collection of font and lettering resources. I’ve tried to find options for a broad range of experience levels and requirements, so be sure to check out the whole thing.
If you’re looking to learn more about the mechanics, visuals, and practical elements of lettering, I can’t recommend this one highly enough. Each aspect of this book – from the illustrations, to the descriptions, to the instructions it lays out – comes together to form a guide that is truly comprehensive.
You’ll learn how to train your "typographic eye," building a skill set where you can understand the anatomy of letters and use this knowledge to produce work that makes a lasting impression.
Whether you’re looking for a place to start or just want to brush up on the fundamentals, this one is well worth considering.
This book is perfect for those times where you find yourself in a creative ‘slump’. Without sufficient inspiration or drive, your regular practice can quickly start to feel like a chore. In times like these, the Lettering Manual can be an absolute Godsend.
It’s full of exercises, case studies, and prompts that are all designed to get you thinking creatively. They’re a great way to jump into new ideas that will expand your existing skills and techniques.
You’ll also learn a whole lot about the history, theory, and necessary techniques involved with lettering and calligraphy. Books about calligraphy don’t get much better than this!
The Art of Lettering is a fantastic collection of work (some of it from me!) that showcases contemporary calligraphy in the best possible light. I think it’s great for finding some much-needed inspiration during a creative ‘slump.’
It’s a good one to keep handy if you find you’re always looking for something to spark a new idea. If you’re looking for books on lettering for beginners, this wouldn’t be a bad place to start. It’s an engaging, practical, and contemporary read that’s well worth a look in my opinion.
This one was actually written by me and it’s a real labor of love! The goal was to create a book that made font drawing/ hand lettering as accessible and easy to pick up as possible. Readers are presented with four easy steps to help them get started on their lettering journey.
These steps are as follows:
Find what inspires you creatively
Copy and dissect this work
Apply what you’ve learned practically and start creating your own pieces
Go one step further and expand your creative horizons
You’ll work with your own individual handwriting, developing unique letterforms that can then be applied in a variety of different ways. I’ve filled the book with interactive tasks, prompts, and a ton of quotes that use different font styles.
All you need is a pencil/ pen and paper to get started. In 2021, it’s never been easier to get started with hand lettering. The Art of Lettering is a celebration of this fact. I hope you find it useful!
If you prefer an approach that is practical and methodical, this font drawing book might just be for you. It’s designed for people with a practical interest in the art form. Perhaps you need to draft up a new flyer. Maybe you need a new logo design for your business.
This fantastic little book lays out a series of step-by-step instructions to help you get to where you need to be. You’ll be led through a broad range of font types and designs to help you build your skill set as quickly as possible.
The gallery section of this book also deserves a mention. It’s great for those times when you’re just looking for a little inspiration.
Books About Lettering – Verdict
I hope you’ve found the suggestions on this page helpful. Remember that regular practice is more than half the battle when it comes to developing your skills. With this in mind, try to choose books that inspire you when you first glance at them.
The more joy a certain prompt or task brings you, the more likely it is that you’ll actually show up to do the work.
Have fun lettering!
PS: Did I forget to mention your favorite book? Let me know in the comments about your go-to lettering books!