Essential Materials for Chalkboard Lettering

From chalk to the wood for your blackboard, the following is a list of all the materials you need to start a lettering project

Whether you’re a typography pro or just starting out, the chances are you will have thought about embarking on a freehand lettering project.

Lettering’s a very broad field with all kinds of possibilities to explore. Whether you prefer digital programs like Photoshop and Illustrator or hand lettering to create each stroke, it's worth taking the time to experiment.

In this article, graphic designer and lettering and font specialist Paola Vecco (@paovec) shares her list of essential materials you need to start a chalkboard lettering project.

Lettering vs calligraphy

Before going deeper into the materials, first, let's explore the differences between calligraphy and lettering. Although similar, these are different art forms that can be easily confused.

What is calligraphy?

Calligraphy is the art of writing letters, paying attention to how the strokes or elements that form the letters are created, examining speed, direction, and sequence. In this sense, it’s more of a writing style than a drawing technique.

What is lettering?

While lettering also pays attention to the style of each letter, it's usually drawn first. Generally, you trace the outlines and then fill them in with motifs, colors, or individual styles.

Now we’ve got that clear, let’s discover the materials you need to create your own lettering project.

Sketching materials

Before you start drawing on the chalkboard, Paola recommends creating a range of sketches to define the shapes, colors, font, and other elements you need to consider before launching into your project.

You will need the following materials (easy to find at home or in any stationery store):

- Mechanical or lead pencil
- Rubber
- Ruler
- Pencil sharpener
- Paper (loose-leaf or notebook)

The materials you need to create chalkboard lettering

White chalk
You are probably familiar with this kind of chalk as it’s commonly used in chalkboard lettering projects. It’s really easy to find and use.

Colored chalk or pastels
Unlike white chalk, colored chalk contains pigments that give you a stronger, brighter line. They are available in a wide range of colors.

Tip: If you choose pastel shades, it's a good idea to have a special sharpener to hand—such as a utility knife—to create a point, as it tends to be sold in sizes that don’t fit in a regular sharpener.

Large pencil sharpener
This pencil sharpener has two holes, a small one for normal pencils and a larger one you can use to sharpen chalk.

Other important materials

As well as sketching materials, chalks, and a sharpener or knife, you'll also need the following things to hand:

- Pastel pencil
- Chalkboard rubber or cloth
- Q-tips or cotton buds
- Microfiber cloth
- Masking tape or sellotape
- Pencil rubber
- Hairspray or fixative
- MDF or wooden board
- Chalkboard paint
- Roller

Ready to start your own lettering project? If you like this subject and want expert help to guide you through the process, don’t forget to sign up for Paola Vecco’s course, Design and Creation of Chalkboard Lettering to learn the composition elements that will allow you to create attractive projects.

English version by @studiogaunt.

You may also like:

- Free Calligraphy Exercises for Beginners
- 5 Free Lettering Tutorials for Perfectionists
- Get Inspired by These 7 Incredible Female Typographers
- Creative Doodling and Hand-Lettering for Beginners, course by Grace Frösén
- Custom Letter Design with Procreate, course by Jimbo Bernaus