Looking around Instagram and Pinterest, there are so many styles of lettering. It can be overwhelming. In this post, I’ll show you 9 super simple bullet journal lettering styles you can try in your notebook.
Bullet Journal Lettering Fonts That Are So Easy
I’m going to show you some very simple lettering styles you can start using in your bullet journal right away. You don’t need any fancy supplies. A black pen, a pencil, and an eraser will do the trick. Having something to add color and a small strip of washi can be helpful, but it’s not required.
As you get started, use the image above for examples of each of the bullet journal fonts. They are numbered to match the styles below.
Start your bullet journaling lettering routine with these supplies!
Here are some basic supplies for bullet journal lettering that I used throughout the examples in this post and that I use almost daily in my bullet journal:
Fineliners
These pens have a hard tip. You can get them in tons of different colors. Staedtler Triplus Finerliners are some of my favorites to use in my journal and when I doodle.
They’re also great for journal writing.
- Assembly Required: No, Ink Color: Assorted, Tip: 0.3mm Fine , Tip Size: 0.3mm
- Features: Acid-free Ink
- Sold as 1 pack
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Gel Pens
When it comes to gel pens, I’m a little bit of a snob and I don’t love the gel pens I see when I’m out at the craft stores. My favorites are InkJoy Gel Pens. I’ve had some people debate with me about if they’re really “gel pens” but I love the smooth color and the thicker tip.
They’re great for lettering.
- Dries 3X faster for reduced smearing
- Smooth, colorful ink keeps the ideas flowing across the page and brightens your writing
- Ergonomic comfort grip wraps the entire gel pen
- 0.7 millimeter medium point spreads ink beautifully
- Includes: Pink Pop, Red Rush, Orange Rise, Yellow Twirl, Lime Light, Luscious Green, Teal Zeal, Bright Blue Bliss, Slate Blue Spin, Pure Blue Joy, Charming Purple, Wild Berry, Cocoa Delight and Jet Black gel p
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Mildliners
Mildliner pens are pale highlighters that most bullet journalers own. They aren’t the super bright highlighters that might come to mind.
I love using them to do shadowing on my fonts.
- Double ended highlighter featuring a broad, chisel tip and fine bullet tip for broad highlighting or fine underlining
- Each highlighter features water resistant, quick drying ink in soft colors
- Available in 15 subtle hues: Brown, Vermilion, Gold, Magenta, Smoke Blue, Red, Violet, Gray, Dark Blue, Green, Blue, Blue Green, Yellow, Orange, Pink
- Durable barrel with cap that fits securely and indicates highlighter color
- Ideal for notetaking, reading, underlying, and color-cod
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
You’ll also want a pencil and an eraser. Never be afraid to sketch with a pencil before using your pens or markers.
You can get started doing bullet journal letter or hand lettering with any supplies you have around the house. Grab a pen and some markers and start practicing while you wait for your other supplies to arrive!
1). Faux-Block Lettering with Serifs
Faux-block lettering styles are some of my favorites.
I use this style frequently in my bullet journal. It’s very simple, yet very bold.
To create this style, simply draw a rectangle in place of the lefthand stroke of a letter. In the instance that you have a letter with a stem, like capital T, you would turn the stem into a rectangle.
Then, to add serifs, just add small dash marks to the ends of the strokes of each letter.
2). Faux-Block Lettering with Curls
Just like the style above, you will create rectangles in place of the lefthand stroke of each letter.
Then, at the end of the stroke, add a single curl. You can add designs inside your faux-block letters if you wish.
I think this is a great style for adding whimsy to your bullet journaling and it’s very easy for beginners to master.
3). Block Lettering With a Shadow
When creating block lettering, the one thing you should keep in mind is that you are no longer writing.
You are drawing. Draw out your letters.
Afterward, you will add your shadow.
To add a shadow, imagine a light source. In my example, the light source would be on the upper right hand side of the paper because the shadow is casting down and to the left.
You can imagine your light source coming from wherever you want. Just be sure to stay consistent with which side of the letter strokes you add shadow.
4). Negative Space Block Lettering
This is a very simple lettering style.
Draw your block letters as you did in the previous style.
Then, draw a rectangle, square, circle, or another shape around your letters. Fill in the shape with a black pen or marker, leaving the letters hollow.
5). Bubble Lettering
Instead of creating square corners on your letters, make them round to create this style.
Then, much like the shadow above, you are going to draw a line on the outside of each letter.
Be consistent with the side you add your line to. Some artists call this a floating shadow.
Finally, add some rounded lines and dots on the interior of the letters. This gives it a 3D rounded feel.
6). Expanded Script
This lettering style is very simple. It’s also one I use a lot in my spreads.
Take your normal cursive writing, stretch it out, and make it more angled.
This style looks really good paired with one of the bolder lettering styles above.
7). Tall and Skinny
This is my go-to writing style when I’m in a hurry and don’t want to create anything too elaborate.
Make your letters very tall and skinny.
Then, with any letter that has a curved terminal (t, e, c), extend it up higher. You can also bring certain strokes down further like I’ve done with the lowercase A above.
8). Sticker Letters
These are very fun and can add a playful look to your headers or to certain words in a quote.
Write out your letters in a simple font.
Then, add a bubbly outline around the letters.
To add depth, create shadows around the outline the same as you did with the block letters above.
9). Lined Shadow
Start with any font you’d like. I used a simple script font.
Then, like the block letters with a shadow above, imagine your light source.
Instead of adding a thick line to the outside of each letter, add short diagonal lines, mimicking a shadow.
Jillian and Jordan are extraordinary women with incredible combined lettering knowledge.
Whether you want to stick to the more traditional calligraphy style or the more modern bounce brush lettering, they are amazing. I have been going through their Letter Logic Course and it has helped me improve my lettering tenfold.