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How to Prepare & Submit Handwriting & Drawings

Handwriting submissions often require us to isolate or reposition words, and adjust the layout to fit your chosen piece. Throughout this process, we preserve the character of the original handwriting as closely as possible.

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WRITING A NEW MESSAGE?

  • Use clean, unlined white paper.

  • Write with a black medium-tip sharpie/marker

  • Write naturally rather than trying to make it perfect.

  • Write as big as possible.

  • Leave a little space around each word or phrase.

  • Create several versions for us to review.

  • Allow the ink to dry before photographing or scanning it.

  • Send the complete page rather than a tightly cropped image.

CREATING A NEW DRAWING?

  • Use plain white paper for the clearest result.

  • Strong/thick, visible lines reproduce more clearly than faint marks.

  • Keep the drawing natural and unedited.

  • Do not trace over the original.

  • Send the entire page so we can preserve its proportions.

  • Pencil, crayon and coloured artwork can still be submitted for assessment.

USING HANDWRITING/DRAWINGS FROM AN EXISTING DOCUMENT?

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We can often work with handwriting found in letters, postcards, journals and other personal documents. Preparing it for engraving may involve digitally removing surrounding or overlapping words and lines, then isolating or repositioning the chosen words to fit your piece. Throughout this process, we preserve the character of the original handwriting as closely as possible.

If you are unsure whether your document or drawing is suitable, please contact us for an assessment.

Scan or photograph your document 

WHEN PHOTOGRAPHING A DOCUMENT

  • Place it on a flat surface.

  • Use soft, even lighting.

  • Hold the camera directly above it.

  • Make sure the image is sharp and in focus.

  • Avoid flash, glare and heavy shadows.

  • Photograph the entire document.

  • Send a second, closer image of the detail you would like used.

  • Tell us exactly which words, signature or drawing to extract.

AVOID

  • Screenshots of photographs

  • Social-media downloads

  • Filters and automatic image enhancements

  • Images taken from an angle

  • Closely cropped or incomplete letters

  • Folding, flattening or handling a fragile document unnecessarily

​When placing your online order, upload your scan or photograph using the upload field provided on the product page.

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