What Is Calligraphy and What Is Lettering?

Discover what these two handwriting techniques are and what sets them apart with TECK24

Confusing calligraphy with lettering is a common mistake: both techniques build unique and personalized letters; require a specific knowledge; and, to some extent, share tools and artists that make both. But calligraphy and lettering are not the same.

In the following video, TECK24 (@teck24horas), graffiti artist and expert in the world of letters, explains the basics that will help us differentiate between calligraphy and lettering, two techniques that may look similar but are actually quite different. Discover the video below:

What is calligraphy?

The main difference between calligraphy and lettering is that the former is "written" and the latter is "drawn": calligraphy uses tools such as the brush, marker, pencil or other writing utensils to construct the letters directly onto the page. In essence, the letters are created directly from our strokes, unlike lettering, in which, roughly speaking, an initial "silhouette" is composed first, and later filled in.

What is lettering?

Thus, lettering is drawn. The letters are outlined, edges first. This leaves empty spaces within the characters and creates shadow and volume. You can use a pencil, a marker, or any other tool to create the shape on the page.

Remember, you can learn to develop your own style and express yourself through letters, from the first sketch to the final piece, with TECK24. Don't miss their course Calligraphy and Lettering: Break the Rules with Creativity.

You may also like:

- Introduction to Brush Lettering, a course by James Lewis
- Italic Script with a Brush Pen, a course by Bego Viñuela Galarraga
- Calligraphy and Lettering for Restless Hands, a course by Victor Kams
- The Golden Secrets of Lettering, a course by Martina Flor