I often get asked if my calligraphy is a font or if I can match a font for a sign or envelopes. Although there are calligraphy fonts, the difference between the two words and style is simple.
Now the definitions I am going to use may vary between the people you ask. These are MY understanding of them and MY definitions that I have learned through my own studies.
What is the difference between calligraphy and fonts?
Calligraphy
Calligraphy is the art form of writing beautiful or decorative letters with a specialized tool such as a pointed pen or brush. It is different from handwriting or cursive due to the beautiful heavy down strokes and the light up strokes. Unlike handwriting or cursive, calligraphy is created through strokes that make up the letters verses the fluid, one line of handwriting or cursive.
Within calligraphy there are multiple styles including pointed pen, traditional, modern, broad pen, brush, blackletter and more. What connects each of these styles again is the width of the strokes that make up the letters as well as the uniformity that creates a beautiful and decorative style.
Fonts
A font on the other hand is typically computer generated. They are digital and are often fall in the category of typography. There is a difference between fonts and typography, but for our sake we will just simply say a font is digitally produced vs. calligraphy that is always created by hand.
With a font you will get the exact shape and letter form evey time (unless you use a glyph). Yes, there are calligraphy style fonts and some that that have a hand-done quality to them, but again they will always be produced on a computer with each letter always coming out the same way every time you type it.
What should I use?
I think calligraphy fonts are wonderful to use and definitely have their purpose. They are great for invitations, or if you are looking for a lower budget option for your envelopes.
What is wonderful about calligraphy is the personal, human touch it adds to your envelopes, poem or sign that creates a unique and one-of-a-kind gift. Calligraphy also allows you to added flourishes and embellishments that fonts often do not have.
Other questions I get asked:
Is your calligraphy a font I can use?
Right now, no. Creating a font is a tedious process and not just simply writing out your letters and digitizing them. I hope in the future to offer a few styles as fonts, but right now everything is hand done.
Can you match a calligraphy font that I like?
Yes! Although it is a font, I can still replicate the letter forms with more of a hand-done variable to them.
What if I wanted your calligraphy on a printed item?
This is possible! We call it “Spot Calligraphy”. This typically refers to a small portions, like your names or monogram, that is hand-done, scanned in and then digitized to use on print items for your event like invites, envelopes, programs or napkins!
I can also create a fully calligraphed invite or poem for you and like spot calligraphy I digitize it and am able to print it out for you (like the invite below).
I hope you found this helpful! I will explore the Torrence between calligraphy and lettering in the next post .