Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Part 1: Finding Your Everyday Pen
- Part 2: Your First Project—Slowing Down
- Part 3: Sincerity Rules Everything
- Part 4: Getting Practical—Writing in a Straight Line
- Part 5: Keeping Your Letter Sizes Consistent
- Part 6: Giving Your Letters Room to Breathe
- Part 7: A Few Little Things Good to Know
- A Quick Recap
- Moving Forward—Your Grip Changes Everything
Part 3: Sincerity Rules Everything
Sometimes sincerity is fancy, and sometimes it isn’t.
To be completely honest, typography isn’t actually my strong point. I have handwritten and printed letters for years, but I am learning the deeper rules of typography right alongside you. Both handwriting and printing are completely acceptable depending on the situation, but one of the first times I truly realized how much handwriting mattered was when I had to write an apology to someone.
My head just could not comprehend that a typed letter could feel sincere. For that note, I dropped everything. No fancy writing, no fancy paper, and no fancy envelope. My only goal was pure sincerity, so slowing down was entirely about one thing: legibility. I needed them to read my words and feel my heart, unhidden by distractions.
That is the golden rule of lettering: you must always act on the situation. If a moment requires a bit of elegance—like a wedding card, a milestone birthday, or a tiny "just because" gift tag left on a counter to surprise someone—then embrace the fancy. Find a beautiful piece of paper, try a more decorative font, or draw a picture if you love to draw.
But if the decoration takes away from the genuine emotion of the moment, drop it entirely. Sometimes sincerity is fancy, but other times, the most beautiful thing you can offer is plain, slow, legible words on a basic piece of paper. Let the situation tell you what it needs, keep your heart at the center, and write from there.
Your Next Project: Read the Situation
For your next project, think of someone else in your life who could use a note. Before you pick up your pen, stop and consider what the situation actually needs. Does this person need a quiet, simple word of comfort or an apology where you drop all the decorations? Or are you celebrating something joyful where adding a bit of fancy paper, a colorful border, or a bold font would make them smile?
Decide whether the moment calls for simplicity or flair, match your style to your heart's intention, and act accordingly.