Page 333 - Green - Maritime Archaeology: A Technical Handbook. 2nd ed

312 Maritime Archaeology: A Technical Handbook, Second Edition VI. LETTERING
Drawings and plans usually require some form of lettering for which there are four choices: either free-hand lettering (usually italic), stencils, applied lettering (e.g., Letraset), or laser-printed text. The free-hand letter- ing requires considerable calligraphic skill, but the effects can be excellent. The lettering is usually done with a calligraphic pen with various nib widths. Italic is one of the most effective styles, but it requires considerable prac- tice and skill to perfect.
Stencils compatible with the stilo-type pens are the easiest and cheapest method of lettering, particularly because one can use the same pens for drawing and stenciling, rather than having to buy a new set of pens solely for stencil work. Stilo script tends to be rather dull, partially due to the round-ended lines of the pens. Some variation can be introduced with italic stencils. Special care is required to ensure that the letters are well formed and spaced properly, otherwise the results are extremely poor and not pleasing to the eye.
A more preferred method of lettering is to use applied lettering. Letraset is one of the best known systems with hundreds of styles and sizes. With such a bewildering array of options, it is best to standardize with one or two typefaces. For san serif work, Helvetica Medium is good; this can be varied with Helvetica Light. Serif typefaces have to be treated with caution, par- ticularly typefaces with extremely thin strokes (Baskerville Old Face), as photographic reduction causes the thin strokes to drop out. These typefaces should not be used when the artwork is to be reduced. There are special serif typefaces with less contrast between thick and thin strokes that are suitable for reduction, but in the author’s view san serif lettering looks best on plans or artifact drawings.
Letraset is extremely expensive and thus should be stored with great care. The techniques of application are quite simple and guidelines for laying out and spacing are provided. Other application materials include tones, textures, and colors that can be applied on either side of translucent drawing film.
By far the most desirable form of lettering is to use a laser printer to print the required text on paper or film. The text can be cut out and stuck onto the artwork. The same problems with san serif letters apply to laser-printed text, but the flexibility of the fonts, sizes, and type styles, together with the control of design and the correct spacing and kerning, makes the text extremely attractive and easy to produce (Figure 11.12). It is simply cut out and mounted on the artwork. In time, much of the drawing process may eventu- ally be done entirely on a computer using a computer-aided drawing (CAD) program. Presently, where a drawing requires a moderate to large amount