How To Make a Custom Font From Your Handwriting
Unlike me, some people have gorgeous handwriting. Those blessed with such a gift should cherish it; in an age of touch screens and keyboards, good calligraphy is a rare thing. If you’re in that camp and run a creative business, what better way to make a unique brand than with your own, custom font?
Thanks to online tools, making a font from your handwriting is not as complicated as it seems. All you need is a scanner, a printer and a legible scrawl. In just a few minutes you can create a custom font from your own pen. That can be turned into script logos, web typography, your restaurant menu and all manner of office stationery.
Step 1: Download The My Script Font Template
Go to myscriptfont.com. This is where you’ll turn your handwriting into a downloadable computer font. Their website supplies a PNG or PDF template for inputting each character with your handwriting.
Step 2: Print The Template, Write Your Letters
Print the template on A4 paper and write each letter as it tells you. Don your best preschool discipline and write between the lines. Make sure you practice beforehand, as you only get one shot on the paper. For the best results, write with a strong black pen.
Step 3: Scan Your Filled Template, Upload To My Script Font
Place your printed template in the scanner, and run at the highest quality possible (300DPI upwards). My Script Font will read that, recognise each character, and render it all into a downloadable font. Magic!
Step 4: Download Font, Install, Behold Your Spidery Scrawl
Once the font is ready, you’ll be prompted to download it from the website. When that’s done, click the file and install it on your computer using the native software.
Hey presto! You’ve got your own handwriting as a font. Now load up Word and cackle as you watch your own script fill the screen. If you want multiple formats, use Font Squirrel’s Webfont Generator to create the files required for loading it into your website.
If you can do that, you can do anything. Go forth and multiply.
Written by Bruce Sigrist in: Discussion, Guides
