How to Turn Your Handwriting Into a Unique Font

When creating my own comics, for example, I sometimes use a font that I created from my own handwriting. I’m one of these cartoonists that has crappy hand-lettering skills and nearly illegible handwriting. I personally use Photoshop-friendly fonts, but sometimes hate the formalized appearance of computer fonts for creative spontaneity sake.

I found a good compromise solution to my problem: inexpensive or freebie online font-creator software that can turn your own handwriting into a looser, more personal, unique computer font style.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Font-Creation Software (available online)
• Computer
• Internet Connection
• Scanner
• Image Editing Software
• Writing Instrument
• Paper

1. Find a font-creation program. There are several software companies offering these inexpensive or freebie font-creation programs. These are available online.
   
   Most of these online font-creation programs are fairly similar in function. For the sake of brevity only, I’ll use Fontifier as an example.

2. 
   Template grid box

   Print out a font template sheet; in this case, the font template sheet available on the Fontifier web site. (See illustration)
   
   The template shows a grid, each grid box corresponding to a letter in the alphabet. Each grid box has a pair of tick-marks near the bottom of the box. The invisible line connecting the tick-marks acts as the baseline for the alphabet letter that you’ll be entering into the box.

3. 
   Make a letter

   Write a letter inside each template box, using a pen, marker, or any other writing instrument that produces a solid line. Leave a margin around your letter, the bottom of the letter aligned with the template box’s baseline. Be careful that your letter isn’t too small for the template box.

4. Scan the completed template into image editing software like Photoshop. Save the template in gif, jpeg, PNG, or TIFF file formats. Use software tools to eliminate excess pixels or smudges.

5. Once the template is digitally prepped, go to the font-creation company web site.
   
   Upload your completed template into the company’s online font-creation software to preview your font’s digitized look.
   
   If the preview function doesn’t work, you may need to go back to your image editing software to resize the template. Try to upload it again.

6. Once you’re satisfied with the look of your unique handwritten font in preview, purchase it. For Fontifier, the price is currently $9.

7. Download the new font.

8. Install the font. See installation instructions for Windows at the Microsoft web site.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not use ballpoint pen to create font characters. Most ballpoint lines are usually too thin or irregular.

Resources

• Fontifier site
• Microsoft font installation instructions
• Font tips from cartoonists on the Big Time Attic site
• Lifehacker tips from Gina Trapani