B111L| ENGINEERING DRAWINGS AND PLANS

CHAPTER 2
SKETCHING, LETTERING
AND DIMENSION PRACTICES

MODULE 4
LETTERING

This module provides a discussion on the definition of lettering and the procedures on how to do
it. Things to be considered like types, sizes, dimensions and spacing of letters will also be
presented in this module.

Objectives

 To provide knowledge on how to do lettering.

2.1 Introduction

Lettering is defined as writing of titles, subtitles, dimensions, etc., on drawing. To undertake

production work of engineering components as per drawing, the size and other details are
indicated on the drawing. This is one in the form of notes and dimensions.

Main features of lettering are legibility, uniformity and rapidity of execution. Use of drawing
instruments for lettering consumes more time. Lettering should be done freehand with speed.
Practice accompanied by continuous efforts would improve the lettering skill and style. Poor
lettering mars the appearance of an otherwise good drawing.

2.2 Single Stroke Letters

The word single stroke means that the thickness of the letter should be uniform as if it is
obtained in one stroke of the pencil.

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Types of Single Stroke Letters

There are two types:

1. Lettering Type A: Vertical and Sloped at 75° to the horizontal.
2. Lettering Type B: Vertical and Sloped at 75° to the horizontal.

In Type A, height of the capital letter is divided into 14 equal parts, while in Type B, height of
the capital letter is divided into 10 equal parts. Type B is preferred for easy and fast execution.
Also, vertical letters are preferred instead of sloped letters.

Size of Letters

Lettering in drawing should be in CAPITALS (Uppercase). Lowercase letters are used for
abbreviations like mm, cm, etc.

Standard heights for capital letters are: 1.8, 2.5, 3.5, 5.0, 6,0, 10.0, 14.0 and 20.0 mm. It should
be noted that the size of the letters may be selected based upon the size of the drawing.

Table 4.1 Lettering Proportions (Reddy,

Engineering Drawing, Second Edition)

Guide Lines

In order to obtain correct and uniform height of letters and numerals, guide lines are drawn,
using 2H pencil with light pressure. HB grade conical end pencil is used for lettering.

2.3 Procedure for Lettering

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Thin horizontal guide lines are drawn first at a distance ‘h’ apart. Horizontal lines of the letters
are drawn from left to right. Vertical, inclined and curved lines are drawn from top to bottom.
After lettering has been completed, the guide lines are not erased.

Dimensioning of Type B Letters

h = height of capital letters

c1 = height of lowercase letters
c2 = tail of lowercase letters
c3 = stem of lowercase letters
a = spacing between characters
b1 and b2 = spacing between baselines
e = spacing between words
d = line thickness

Figure 4.1 Lettering (Reddy, Engineering

Drawing, Second Edition)

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Figure 4.2 Vertical Lettering (Reddy,

Engineering Drawing, Second Edition)

Figure 4.3 Inclined Lettering (Reddy,

Engineering Drawing, Second Edition)

The following are some of the guidelines for lettering:

1. Drawing numbers, title block and letters denoting cutting planes, sections are written in
10 mm size.
2. Drawing title is written in 7 mm size.
3. Hatching, subtitles, materials, dimensions, notes, etc., are written in 3.5 mm size.
4. Spacing between lines is ¾h.
5. Space between words may be equal to the width of alphabet M or 3/5 h.
6. Space between letters should be approximately equal to 1/5 h. Poor spacing will affect
the visual effect.
7. The spacing between two characters may be reduced by half if this gives a better visual
effect, as for example LA, TV; overlapped in case of say LT, TA etc., and the space is
increased for letters with adjoining stems.

Spacing

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Spacing between characters = a = (2/10)h

Spacing between words= e = (6/10)h

Figure 4.4 Guide Lines for Lettering

(Reddy, Engineering Drawing, Second
Edition)

Figure 4.5 Vertical Uppercase and Lowercase Letters

and Numerals of Type B (Reddy, Engineering
Drawing, Second Edition)
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Figure 4.6 Lettering Practice (Reddy, Engineering

Drawing, Second Edition)

Figure 4.6 shows a freehand lettering, using single stroke vertical uppercase letters of 5 mm (h)
size.

References

Reddy, Engineering Drawing, Second Edition

Disclaimer and Fair Use Statement

This module may contain copyrighted material, the use of which may not have been specifically
authorized by the copyright owner. The material contained in this module is distributed without
profit for educational purposes. This should constitute a ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted
material. If you wish to use any copyrighted material from this module for purposes of your own
that go beyond ‘fair use’, you must obtain expressed permission from the copyright owner.

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