The ULTIMATE gift guide for lettering artists ☃️
Dec 10, 2024
I get a lot of questions about what tools I use for my lettering, so with the holidays just around the corner, I thought I would share with you my Ultimate Gift Guide for Lettering Artists.
Here are my favourite tools and goodies that have been game-changers in my lettering journey. So whether you're treating yourself or dropping hints to loved ones, I hope you find this cozy gift guide useful! ❄️
Essential Tools for Lettering Artists
✦ For sketching, I swear by the Blackwing pencils and The Pentel Mechanical Pencils. They're precise, reliable, and perfect for those initial letterforms.
✦ For that dreamy hand-lettering feel, the Pentel Arts Sign Pens are chef's kiss. The smooth flow and flexible tip make it so satisfying to use.
✦ I've got to mention my Whimsical Lettering Toolkit and Retro Sign Toolkit 2.0. These are literally the Procreate brushes I use every day!
✦ The TEONEI Colour Wheel is a cute gadget for exploring colour combinations!
✦ An Electric Pencil Sharpener is a must-have in my opinion! It keeps your pencils perfectly sharp but most of all, it’s very satisfying to use.
Organisation for Lettering Artists
✦ These Paperblanks dot grid sketchbooks are practically on all my videos. They're perfect for sketching during the ideation phase, and the covers are absolutely gorgeous!
✦ I’ve just launched my 2025 Digital Planner! It's perfect for keeping all your creative chaos beautifully organised. I made it with lettering artists in mind, so you’ll find creative brief templates which are super useful to start all your new projects.
✦ Ok, this one is not a must-have, but it would make a super cute gift! It’s a customisable embosser to add an elegant touch to your notebooks, books or stationary.
Books for Lettering Artists
✦ To learn the basics of lettering I recommend House Industries Lettering Manual by Ken Barber, In Progress by Jessica Hische, The Golden Secrets of Lettering by Martina Flor, and Hand-Lettering Ledger by Mary Kate McDevitt.
✦ For pure inspiration, these are great to have handy: All the Fonts of the Fair by Joby Carter, Handstyle Lettering by Victionary, Type: A Visual History of Typefaces and Graphic Styles by Alston W. Purvis, Cees W. de Jong, Jan Tholenaar, and Signwriting Tips, Tricks and Inspiration by Joby Carter.
✦ For a dose of creative wisdom, I also highly recommend Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon and The Creative Act by Rick Rubin. Both books go beyond just lettering and tap into universal creative truths that'll inspire your work.
Tech for Lettering Artists
✦ The iPad + Apple Pencil combo is a game-changer (I have the iPad Pro 12.9” 4th generation 256GB + the Apple Pencil 2nd generation).
✦ Add a Paperlike screen protector to your iPad for protection and for that satisfying paper-like feel!
✦ Good lighting is everything – I'm loving my adjustable GODOX light to add a mood to my videos, and this desk lamp with adjustable brightness for those cozy evening creating sessions.
✦ A pencil cover for your Apple Pencil not only protects it but it makes those long digital lettering sessions more comfortable. Plus, they come in adorable designs!
✦ A sturdy tripod with an overhead mount are essential for capturing those satisfying process videos. However, this phone holder is a great alternative if you're just starting out in your content creation journey!
Self-Care for Lettering Artists
✦ Let's not forget about hand care! The L'Occitane shea butter hand cream is absolutely divine after long sketching sessions, it’s TikTok viral for a reason!
✦ Pair it with that cuticle oil for some extra TLC after all that drawing!
The experience for Lettering Artists
✦ Giving the gift of learning is priceless! For someone who is serious about lettering, I would recommend Digital Product Secrets and Lettering Style Secrets. I believe in these courses so much that I participate every year (at the same time as I teach them 😅).
✦ If you’re still not sure what to get, gift cards are the easiest option! I've just launched $25, $50 and $100 gift cards on my Shop!
Let me know which item is going straight to your wish list! 🎅🏼
Happy shopping,
