Tools of the Trade: Rub On Letters
Before the advent of computers, graphic designers did text layouts by hand, often using ‘rub on letters’ (also called letter transfers or dry transfers). They came in large paper or plastic sheets and were rubbed onto artwork.
“Transfer” is a generic term used, sometimes inappropriately, for various graphic arts techniques, the most common being pressure-sensitive letter-transfers (patented by the Letraset Corp. in 1960).”
When I was in high school during the late 90s, we still had loads of Letraset sheets in amazing retro modern typefaces and I would use them in artwork all the time. Later, during a trip to New York in 2002, a friend of a friend unloaded his massive stash of FORMATT brand rub ons with me. I still occasionally use halftone patterns and lettering in various projects.
These days, sheets of Letraset and its fellow competitors are increasingly hard to find since the cost can be prohibitive. Besides that, personal computers can do text layouts instantaneously with way less mistakes and headaches.
Rub on letters will always hold a special place in my heart; I used them long before computers for text layouts and they sparked my initial interest in typography.
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bg, I just saw that there is a documentary on Helvetica:
Helvetica
We use it every day on our computers, we see it on street signs — and we take it for granted. Now, Gary Hustwit’s unique documentary introduces us to Helvetica, whose readability has made it the most popular font in the world. Interviews with designers and artists offer insight into the development, use and universal acceptance of Helvetica as the typeface of choice for everything from writing letters to creating corporate logos.
Yes, Helvetica!! They had the exhibit of corresponding artwork at MoMA when we were in NY. I realllly want to see the documentary. BAD.
Hi,
Do you sell dry transfer letter packs?
If so, do you have:
White letters;
Sans serif (ariel, helverica, etc)
Font size 10 and/or 12 point
Upper case or upper/lower case
Thank you
Jay
Alles in allem, sehr guter Service. Jan
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Before I comment, I’m new to your site and just starting a design course this year (second degree, actually, but the first I’ve cared about!).
In one of our projects, we painstakingly cut three centimetre tall letters from a master sheet and arranged five lots of 3 to 7 letter words, then arranged those words in a line of five words each, then arranged a further four lines below that. Yeah, we were practicing type spacing.
Though the task was laborious, I came away with a distinct feeling that I understand good spacing now. Funny, it makes me a little sadder now I read rub on sheets are becoming difficult to find.
Off to eBay, me thinks…
In art school we were not allowed near a computer until we had Type 1-4
Hand drawn letters at 4am for a class..we have now become extinct, but a trained eye can see everything.
As it is impossible by the way.
I think, what is it — a false way. And from it it is necessary to turn off.
Excuse for that I interfere … To me this situation is familiar. It is possible to discuss.
It is a pity, that now I can not express – I am late for a meeting. But I will return – I will necessarily write that I think on this question.
I cannot believe this will work!
Hey, ok, I get it, I guess – but does this really work?
На данном варезнике вы можете легко и бесплатно скачать наши фильмы и всё это бесплатно и без регистрации.
так же думаю, что это лучше в другой теме обсуждать и не засирать комментами блог.
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