‘Typsettra’ – hand lettered script wordmark, Dave Thomason, c1975

The thin tissue paper glued onto card would have very little colour, appearing almost white, so any white touch up would not be seen. Over time both the tissue paper and the rubber cement would discolour, turning yellow and exposing the white gouache paint. Few lettering artists had as little touch up on their work as Thomason.

Notes

Commercial hand lettering was almost always photographed and the photographic print was sent to the client to be assembled into the final art. The original lettering, usually with white touch up gouache, was rarely seen and, all too often, thrown out. Each lettering artist had their own techniques but most would start by roughly sketching the word in pencil on the top of the sheet of tissue paper. They would then turn it over and refine the drawing on the back of the sheet. They would continue working back and forth until the word looked the way they wanted. Then, using rubber cement they would glue the sheet to a piece of medium weight card for stability. Tissue paper had just the right surface ‘tooth’ for either a pen or brush. The lettering would then be inked in using either a pen or brush.

  • Category
    Designers, Typographers & Letter Artists

    Date
    c1975

    Title
    Typsettra

    Client
    Typesettra

    Credits
    Hand-Lettering: Dave Thomason

    Principal Typefaces
    Hand Lettering

    Description
    Ink on tissue paper, glued on light card
    Size: 13.5 × 7.5 inches.
    Lettering: 12 inches wide

    Region
    Ontario

    Language
    English

    Images
    3

    Holding
    Private collection of Albert Macchiusi

  • Artifact copyright: CTA was unable to clarify rights but welcomes contact from rightsholders to resolve permissions, if required, and will remove digitized works at the rightsholder’s request (rightsholders may contact CTA at copyright@canadiantypography.ca). CTA makes digitized works available for education and research. Responsibility for any use rests with the user.

    Notes copyright: Notes accompanying artifacts are licenced under Creative Commons licensing CCbyNC which allows for non-commercial use with attribute.

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We will be posting other pieces by Dave Thomason. If you have any of his work, or insights into his life that you would be willing to share, we would like to hear from you.

Please contact us at: contribute@canadiantypography.ca

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