Handlettering for Beginners: Easy DIY Art with Traceable Templates

Have you ever wanted to create stunning handlettering designs but didn’t know where to start? Whether you’ve admired beautifully lettered quotes on paper craft wall hangings or faith-based artwork at stores like Hobby Lobby, Kirkland’s, TJ Maxx, At Home, and Marshalls, the good news is—you don’t need perfect handwriting to achieve that professional look.

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With easy to trace, handlettering templates, you can start your hand lettering for beginners journey with confidence!

My friend Danielle Stringer’s Digital Dust subscription (I’m a member and love it) gives you access to 10 new digital files every month, ready to download, print, and trace. Oh and her designs have been featured in every store I mentioned above!

This makes it easy to master the handlettering alphabet while creating custom artwork for your home, gifts, or even a small business.

GET THE TEMPLATES

In this guide, I’ll walk you through hand lettering for beginners, sharing the best supplies, step-by-step instructions, and creative ways to use your designs.

P.S. If you want to see how I made this design into Busted Canvas art, check out this post… How to Make a Busted Canvas + 37 Busted Canvas Ideas

This blog post contains affiliate links. The opinions are wholly my own from my own experience. I may earn a small commission from clicks through to the websites that end in a purchase.

What is Hand Lettering?

Hand lettering is the art of drawing letters instead of just writing them. Unlike calligraphy, which uses a fluid stroke, handlettering is more like illustration—where each letter is carefully shaped and designed.

Many people think that you need perfect penmanship to create beautiful lettered art, but that’s not true! With traceable templates, you can easily achieve a polished look without years of practice.

Supplies Needed

To create your handlettering art, you’ll need just a few supplies:

Downloadable template from Digital Dust
Graphite paper (for transferring designs)
Embossing tool (for tracing)
Washi tape (optional, for securing your template)
Canvas, wood, or paper (your choice of surface)
Posca Paint Pens (my favorite and the best for hand lettering!)

supplies for handlettering for beginners

Why Use Hand Lettering Templates?

Danielle Stringer, the artist behind Digital Dust, has had her hand lettering artwork featured in your favorite home decor stores. Now, she’s sharing her talent with you through her hand lettering template subscription.

Here’s why these templates are a game-changer for beginners:

No Guesswork – The designs are already done for you! Just trace, transfer, and fill in the lettering.
Faith-Based Designs – Most of her work features Christian quotes, scriptures, and uplifting messages, making them perfect for personal decor or gifts.
Versatile Use – Create DIY wall art, wood signs, greeting cards, tote bags, mugs, or even sell your artwork.
Time-Saving – Skip the struggle of drawing letters from scratch. These templates help you create professional-quality artwork fast.
Perfect for All Skill Levels – Whether you’re a total beginner or want to improve your lettering, this system works for everyone.

Step-by-Step Instructions: Hand Lettering with Templates

Follow these easy steps to create stunning hand lettering designs on any surface:

Step 1: Print Your Hand Lettering Template

Download your handlettering alphabet or quote template from the Digital Dust Library.
Print it using an inkjet or laser printer, adjusting the size to match your surface.

Step 2: Cut and Position the Design

If needed, trim the printed design to fit your surface.

trimming the handlettered design template

Place the template where you want it and secure it with washi tape to prevent shifting.

Step 3: Transfer the Design

Fold back the template and slide a piece of graphite paper (shiny side down) underneath.

Using an embossing tool, carefully trace the outline of the letters. Apply even pressure to transfer the design.

tracing the hand lettering template with embossing tool

Step 4: Reveal the Hand Lettering Outline

Once you’ve traced the entire design, lift the template and graphite paper.

You should see a faint but clear outline on your surface—ready to be filled in!

Step 5: Fill in the Lettering

Take your Posca Paint Pens and carefully trace over the transferred design.

filling in the handlettering with a posca marker

Fill in any openings or details to complete your handlettering art.

Step 6: Let It Dry & Enjoy!

Allow the paint to dry before handling. Once finished, your hand lettered masterpiece is ready to be displayed or gifted!

Watch the Step-by-Step Video Tutorial

Want to see this process in action? Watch my YouTube video tutorial, where I walk you through each step and share extra handlettering practices to improve your technique!

YouTube Video COMING SOON

Creative Ways to Use Your Hand Lettering Designs

One of the best things about hand lettering is how versatile it is! Here are some fun ways to use your completed designs:

For Home Decor

Create a paper craft wall hanging with your favorite scripture or quote.
Transfer your design onto wooden signs for a farmhouse-style look.
Letter directly onto mirrors, chalkboards, or glass frames for an elegant touch.

For Gifting

Make custom greeting cards for birthdays, weddings, or encouragement.
Personalize mugs, tumblers, or tote bags with meaningful quotes.
Letter a favorite Bible verse onto canvas for a heartfelt Christian gift.

For a Small Business

Sell handlettering prints or stickers on Etsy.
Offer custom handlettering signs for home decor.
Use your skills for personalized wedding or event signage.

The possibilities are endless when you have beautiful hand lettering designs at your fingertips!

Why You Should Try Hand Lettering

Learning hand lettering for beginners doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With traceable templates, you can skip the frustration and jump straight into creating beautiful artwork—no prior experience required!

The Digital Dust Library provides faith-based, pre-designed lettering templates that help you:

✔️ Improve your skills with guided handlettering practices
✔️ Make high-quality, professional-looking artwork in minutes
✔️ Create gifts, decor, or even products to sell
✔️ Enjoy a relaxing and creative hobby

With 10 new digital files each month, you’ll always have fresh inspiration to work with. Whether you’re making paper craft wall hangings, wood signs, or canvas prints, these templates make it fun and easy to master hand lettering.

So why wait? Start your handlettering journey today and create artwork that looks like it came straight from your favorite home decor store!

Ready to give hand lettering a try? Click here to check out Danielle Stringer’s Digital Dust Template Library , and let’s get lettering!