Lettering
Lettering is the art of adding text to comic books and graphic novels. This includes dialogue in speech bubbles, sound effects, and captions. Think of letterers as the people who make sure readers can easily read and understand the story in comics. They work with both hand-drawn and digital tools to create text that matches the style and mood of the artwork. While it might seem simple, professional lettering requires understanding of design, typography, and storytelling to ensure the words flow naturally with the art without overshadowing it.
Examples in Resumes
Created dynamic sound effects and dialogue using Lettering techniques for 20+ comic book issues
Managed Lettering and text layout for a graphic novel series with over 500 pages
Specialized in digital Lettering using industry-standard software for major comic publishers
Typical job title: "Comic Book Letterers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Comic Book Letterers
Online Communities
Professional Networks
Industry Events
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you approach lettering for different genres of comics?
Expected Answer: A senior letterer should discuss how they adapt text styles to match the tone of different genres - like bold, dramatic letters for action comics versus softer styles for romance or children's comics. They should mention experience with both digital and traditional methods.
Q: How do you handle challenging page layouts with limited space for text?
Expected Answer: Should explain their problem-solving process for fitting text in crowded panels while maintaining readability, possibly including examples of working with artists to adjust artwork or suggesting script edits when needed.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What software tools do you use for lettering, and why?
Expected Answer: Should be able to discuss common industry software like Adobe Illustrator or specialized comic lettering tools, explaining their advantages and how they use them in their workflow.
Q: How do you ensure consistency in lettering across a multi-issue series?
Expected Answer: Should explain their system for maintaining consistent font styles, bubble shapes, and text placement throughout a series, including how they document their choices.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are the basic rules of comic book balloon placement?
Expected Answer: Should know fundamentals like reading order (left to right, top to bottom), not covering important art elements, and leaving enough space around text for readability.
Q: How do you differentiate between different types of text in comics?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain basic differences between dialogue, thoughts, narration, and sound effects, including common styling conventions for each.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic digital lettering tools
- Standard comic font usage
- Speech bubble creation
- Basic text placement rules
Mid (2-5 years)
- Custom font creation
- Advanced layout techniques
- Sound effect design
- Working with translation adaptations
Senior (5+ years)
- Complex project management
- Style guide creation
- Training junior letterers
- Publisher-specific requirements
Red Flags to Watch For
- No knowledge of standard comic book reading order
- Unfamiliarity with basic comic book terminology
- No experience with industry-standard software
- Poor understanding of text readability principles
Related Terms
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