Meaning of Lettering

   Lettering is the writing  of letters (alphabet)  and numbers (figures)  in bold forms or lower case forms on drawings. The standard ' lettering ' for engineering and technical drawings  is known as ' Commercial Gothic ' in both vertical and inclined styles. Although, these writings may be done either by free hand or with instruments, you should use free hand method. The method adopted in this text is intended to serve as a guide for every student. You must follow carefully the directions of the small arrows with in the letter shown below

A A B C C D E E F F G G H H I J J K L L M N O O P Q Q R S T T U U M W X Y Z Z

1 2 3 4 5 5 6 7 7 8 9 0

a b c c d e f f g h i j k l m n o o p q r s t t u v w x y z

'Upright' capital/ small letters

   A B b C c D EF GH I J j K L M N O P p Q R S s s T U u M W X Y Z

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

a a b c d e f g g h I j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y Y z

Slopping Characters

You should practice both styles of writing letters . make sure that the  heights of the letters are proportional to each other. Make sure also that the spaces between every two letters are almost equal. Letters 'W' and 'I' are usually placed closer together than letters 'I' and 'M'. Also when lettering, letters A, L, W, Y, should be closed together while the two 'I' s should be separated.

    The preceding strikes for the alphabet in Capital ' capital / small letters above have been designed for right handed students. Left handers (called ' south paws') often find general lettering strokes difficult. This is because a right hander progresses toward the body. The pencil and hand of the left hander partially hide hide the work he has done. This makes it harder to join strokes and maintain uniformity. 

The suggested stroked in  lettering for left handers  below will enable left handers to write perfectly too.

A A B C C D E E F F G G H H I J J K L L M N O O P Q Q R S T T U U V W X Y Z Z

1 2 3 4 5 5 6 7 7 8 9 0

a b c c d e f f g h I j k l m n o o p q r s t t u v w x y z

Suggested letting for left handers