For easy reference, letters should not be crowded nor allowed to interfere with one another; they should be drawn neatly, avoiding all lines of the drawing; plain letters are always used on mechanical drawings, whether for title, scale, reference, etc.
Arrow-heads, figures and letters should be in black, and made with a writing pen. A pen with a ball point is preferable, giving an equal thickness of line, no matter in which direction the stroke is made.
Fig. 240.
Neat, well-lettered drawings go far towards establishing a high standing for the aspiring draughtsman. All lettering should be done free-hand, first with the pencil, sharpened to a fine round point, and afterwards written in ink. For this purpose common writing pens are best to be used; [fig. 240] represents the several numbers of the approved Gillott’s pens adapted to this purpose.
In lettering, it is well, for a guide for size and location, to draw, with a round-pointed pencil, two horizontal lines just the height the letters are to be; the letters are also best made with careful use of the instruments, rather than free-hand.
In order to letter systematically, it is a good plan to start with the middle letter of the inscription and work in both directions; making too prominent letters should be avoided, plain and distinct letters being most desirable.
Finally, with an ordinary writing pen, trace over the penciling in ink; the pencil guide lines being erased after the letters are inked in completes the operation.
An important matter in connection with lettering a drawing is the location of the letters; these should be so placed as not to interfere with the lines of the drawing and should clearly point out the part intended to be described. When single letters are used, they should be inked in before the shade or section lines are drawn.