What is a lettering template?

spectre216 · 08-20-2012, 12:18 PM

After hearing the term thrown around, i was wondering what exactly is a lettering template. I was also wondering, if it is one of those things quite necessary to letter properly, how does one go about creating one?

lordmagnusen · 08-20-2012, 03:01 PM

It's just a file that includes the balloon, caption, and font styles you're using for a specific book or story. Instead of saving the file you just finished with a different name; you have a template for that book.

Adobe Illustrator lets you save a file as a template; and then you can use that file with the option "New From Template", and it will openin the template as an untitled file you can later save with the right name.. thus avoiding the "OH NO, I SAVED OVER THE PREVIOUS PAGE FILE!!!"

Comics Commando · 08-24-2012, 02:32 AM

A lettering template is EXTREMELY complicated to understand and even more complicated to put together. My current template took me over 18 years to put together [but it's freakin' awesome].

Been meeting deadlines for 27 years...started with hand lettering way back when the Earth was cooling.

My template is chock full of stuff....bleed line guides...font samples, balloons, zombie and ghost balloons...alien and bonzo balloons...ginchie shapes and whispers...not to mention caption styles for the various series I work on.

Is it necessary?.....no. I recommend you start out with a blank page every time.

Jinkie McFikker

lordmagnusen · 08-24-2012, 10:09 AM

18 years? Holy crap. I feel naked.

ukstocky · 09-04-2012, 05:06 AM

Wow, 18 years!

I made mine about a year ago, just the basics: Layers (for art, ballons, dialogue, and sfx), and bleed trim and live area guides etc. I'll repost hear in 18 years and let you know how it has evolved.

Also, you've been meeting deadlines since I was 1 ...

08-20-2012, 12:18 PM	#1
spectre216 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 30	What is a lettering template? After hearing the term thrown around, i was wondering what exactly is a lettering template. I was also wondering, if it is one of those things quite necessary to letter properly, how does one go about creating one?

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08-20-2012, 03:01 PM	#2
lordmagnusen Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 214	It's just a file that includes the balloon, caption, and font styles you're using for a specific book or story. Instead of saving the file you just finished with a different name; you have a template for that book. Adobe Illustrator lets you save a file as a template; and then you can use that file with the option "New From Template", and it will openin the template as an untitled file you can later save with the right name.. thus avoiding the "OH NO, I SAVED OVER THE PREVIOUS PAGE FILE!!!"

08-24-2012, 02:32 AM	#3
Comics Commando Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 590	A lettering template is EXTREMELY complicated to understand and even more complicated to put together. My current template took me over 18 years to put together [but it's freakin' awesome]. Been meeting deadlines for 27 years...started with hand lettering way back when the Earth was cooling. My template is chock full of stuff....bleed line guides...font samples, balloons, zombie and ghost balloons...alien and bonzo balloons...ginchie shapes and whispers...not to mention caption styles for the various series I work on. Is it necessary?.....no. I recommend you start out with a blank page every time. Jinkie McFikker

08-24-2012, 10:09 AM	#4
lordmagnusen Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 214	18 years? Holy crap. I feel naked.

09-04-2012, 05:06 AM	#5
ukstocky Mike Stock Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Bournemouth, UK Posts: 14	Wow, 18 years! I made mine about a year ago, just the basics: Layers (for art, ballons, dialogue, and sfx), and bleed trim and live area guides etc. I'll repost hear in 18 years and let you know how it has evolved. Also, you've been meeting deadlines since I was 1 ...