If you follow me on Instagram (and if not, why?! lol), you will know that I have been obsessed with learning calligraphy on my iPad Pro. I just love how easy it is to practice on it without the guilt of using so much paper. I use the app Procreate, and purchase custom calligraphy brushes, or try to tweak my own.
Hand-written calligraphy is perfect not just for wedding invitations, or posters, but also for brand identity design. What better way to make sure your wordmark is unique? The problem with handwritten wordmarks, of course, is how to vectorize it so that you can resize it without loss of resolution. Well, Procreate makes it super easy. You just need to have the right tools.
REQUIRED SOFTWARE:
- Procreate
- Photoshop
- Illustrator
TOOLS USED:
- Ipad Pro
- Apple Pencil
STEPS:
1. Create your calligraphy in Procreate. Merge the layers.
2. Uncheck the background layer, like so:
3. Export as psd, and upload to Dropbox
4. Download to your computer and open it in Photoshop
4. Copy the layer and paste it in Illustrator
5. Click on Window>Image Trace, making sure the layer is selected, and copy the settings here:
6. Click preview, check if you like the result, and click EXPAND (on the upper tool bar)
7. Tweak the small details if you want to improve on it.
That’s it. You have successfully vectorized your calligraphy, and you can now use it on logos, business cards, letterpress printing, or even billboards if you so desire. (Do make sure you save the file as ai or eps.) I have used vectorized custom calligraphy on book designs, branding, websites, wedding invitations, greeting cards, and shop signage. The possibilities are limitless.
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