Lettering in the GIMP for logos and jerseys

jmknpk2 · 11-12-2009, 07:31 AM

I was playing around with the GIMP to create some logos and jerseys.

Only problem was I can't figure out how to get good lettering for logos and jerseys. There is a default font that looks rather plain. I would like to be able to just type a word and then have the program create the word in script, for example. Hopefully being able to play around with many styles until I get the one that I like. You can see the word Louisville in my avitar. It literally took me hours to get that set up. I'm sure experts can get that look in seconds.

Can someone point me in the right direction on how to get some good quality lettering into my logos and jerseys? Am I overlooking a feature in the default GIMP? Do I need to download some plug-in or something?

TribeFanInNC · 11-12-2009, 08:03 AM

Search around the web for free downloadable fonts and install them on your computer. GIMP just uses fonts your computer uses for other programs like Word, etc... Use your Windows help to install the font (it's easy).

I was directed to one called Ballpark that does decent script lettering for jerseys. I don't remember exactly where I got it - search for it. I'm sure there are more.

Athletics17 · 11-12-2009, 11:37 AM

I broke down and bought some fonts that I use most of the time. They are pricey at this site but they are fun to use. eriqjaffe has some cool one that are free. A couple of free one I use are bosox/arkham which are similar to boston's and the d-backs that are cool.

Letterhead Fonts / Typefaces For The Professional Artist

http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...ml#post2155137

MMA_Dave · 11-12-2009, 12:49 PM

www.dafont.com also has a large number of free fonts available.

One thing I've found is that it's easier to use a vector based image program (like the free Inkscape) to get the desired curve, shape or depth and then paste your text into GIMP or paint.net.

spleen1015 · 11-12-2009, 12:52 PM

I have used Word Art in MS Word to get curved text.

Athletics17 · 11-12-2009, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MMA_Dave

www.dafont.com also has a large number of free fonts available.

One thing I've found is that it's easier to use a vector based image program (like the free Inkscape) to get the desired curve, shape or depth and then paste your text into GIMP or paint.net.

Inkscape and paint.net are what I use. They are great free programs. I initially use microsoft excel then to paint, but inkscape is much better. Vector is the way to go.

MMA_Dave · 11-12-2009, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Athletics17

Inkscape and paint.net are what I use. They are great free programs.

Another bonus is that the learning curves using both Inkscape and Paint.net were - to me - much shorter than GIMP and I was cranking out logos and uniforms in almost no time at all.

tombair · 11-12-2009, 09:26 PM

I'll second the recommendation of Inkscape for text. I do all my lettering in Inkscape then import it into paint.net to do the rest of the jersey. I tried by never learned GIMP.

Here are some examples of the lettering I did in Inkscape without much effort.

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Name: Lancaster Farmers New Script 2.png
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tombair · 11-12-2009, 09:35 PM

If you're looking for fonts, Ballpark Weiner which was mentioned before is a nice script font. Here's something I posted some time back. I've added quite a few new fonts since then but this would be a good start.

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jmknpk2 · 11-13-2009, 08:54 PM

Much thanks to all for the suggestions and samples. I should be churning out quality lettering in no time.

Malleus Dei · 11-13-2009, 09:39 PM

I use The Logo Creator for lettering. It does really amazing things with text, and comes with some really good fonts of its own.

http://www.thelogocreator.com/

Alan T · 11-13-2009, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tombair

I'll second the recommendation of Inkscape for text. I do all my lettering in Inkscape then import it into paint.net to do the rest of the jersey. I tried by never learned GIMP.

Here are some examples of the lettering I did in Inkscape without much effort.

Attachment 172060

On the Lancaster one, is there a particular font that attaches the tail on the end that wraps down below like that?

I've always had to do those by hand and am not that great at it. If there is some font that does it automatically, that would make my day.

TribeFanInNC · 11-13-2009, 10:06 PM

Yeah, I've always done it by hand too. PITA.

Athletics17 · 11-14-2009, 12:14 AM

Tombair, that Lancaster text is awesome. The brown shadow gives it a great touch.

micropterus58 · 11-14-2009, 03:32 PM

Alan T, the tail is called a swash. It is included with the Ballpark Script font if you purchase it from Letterhead Fonts. I was never able to find any when I searched a few years ago.

Athletics17 · 11-14-2009, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by micropterus58

Alan T, the tail is called a swash. It is included with the Ballpark Script font if you purchase it from Letterhead Fonts. I was never able to find any when I searched a few years ago.

Also with Ephemera script, I tend to use this one more as I bought both because I am making my own wedding invitations.

Letterhead Fonts / LHF Ephemera / Swash Script Font

Letterhead Fonts / LHF Ballpark Script / Old Fashioned Script Fonts

http://www.letterheadfonts.com/fonts/signkitscript.php

tombair · 11-14-2009, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan T

On the Lancaster one, is there a particular font that attaches the tail on the end that wraps down below like that?

I've always had to do those by hand and am not that great at it. If there is some font that does it automatically, that would make my day.

No, I did that by hand. There is a font with a nice variety of swashes called Marcelle but unfortunately it is "distressed". Marcelle Font | dafont.com

One day I plan to make vector versions of those swashes.

Alan T · 11-14-2009, 08:22 PM

Thanks guys for this thread and the help with finding the various fonts that include swashes.. It makes it much easier to make lettering for jerseys.

For instance, I just created this one for one of the owners in one of my leagues I commish.

11-12-2009, 07:31 AM	#1
jmknpk2 All Star Reserve Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 982	Lettering in the GIMP for logos and jerseys I was playing around with the GIMP to create some logos and jerseys. Only problem was I can't figure out how to get good lettering for logos and jerseys. There is a default font that looks rather plain. I would like to be able to just type a word and then have the program create the word in script, for example. Hopefully being able to play around with many styles until I get the one that I like. You can see the word Louisville in my avitar. It literally took me hours to get that set up. I'm sure experts can get that look in seconds. Can someone point me in the right direction on how to get some good quality lettering into my logos and jerseys? Am I overlooking a feature in the default GIMP? Do I need to download some plug-in or something? Last edited by jmknpk2; 11-12-2009 at 07:33 AM.

11-12-2009, 08:03 AM	#2
TribeFanInNC Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 4,019	Search around the web for free downloadable fonts and install them on your computer. GIMP just uses fonts your computer uses for other programs like Word, etc... Use your Windows help to install the font (it's easy). I was directed to one called Ballpark that does decent script lettering for jerseys. I don't remember exactly where I got it - search for it. I'm sure there are more. Last edited by TribeFanInNC; 11-12-2009 at 08:04 AM.

11-12-2009, 11:37 AM	#3
Athletics17 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: jackson Hole, Wy Posts: 1,187	I broke down and bought some fonts that I use most of the time. They are pricey at this site but they are fun to use. eriqjaffe has some cool one that are free. A couple of free one I use are bosox/arkham which are similar to boston's and the d-backs that are cool. Letterhead Fonts / Typefaces For The Professional Artist http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...ml#post2155137 __________________ Compilation of Uniforms Last edited by Athletics17; 11-12-2009 at 11:38 AM.

11-12-2009, 09:26 PM	#8
tombair Major Leagues Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: La Plata, MD Posts: 493	I'll second the recommendation of Inkscape for text. I do all my lettering in Inkscape then import it into paint.net to do the rest of the jersey. I tried by never learned GIMP. Here are some examples of the lettering I did in Inkscape without much effort. __________________ I don't care how long you've been around, you'll never see it all. Bob Lemon

11-12-2009, 09:35 PM	#9
tombair Major Leagues Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: La Plata, MD Posts: 493	If you're looking for fonts, Ballpark Weiner which was mentioned before is a nice script font. Here's something I posted some time back. I've added quite a few new fonts since then but this would be a good start. __________________ I don't care how long you've been around, you'll never see it all. Bob Lemon

11-12-2009, 12:49 PM	#4
MMA_Dave Minors (Single A) Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 58	www.dafont.com also has a large number of free fonts available. One thing I've found is that it's easier to use a vector based image program (like the free Inkscape) to get the desired curve, shape or depth and then paste your text into GIMP or paint.net.

11-12-2009, 12:52 PM	#5
spleen1015 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 6,002	I have used Word Art in MS Word to get curved text.

11-13-2009, 08:54 PM	#10
jmknpk2 All Star Reserve Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 982	Much thanks to all for the suggestions and samples. I should be churning out quality lettering in no time.

11-13-2009, 10:06 PM	#13
TribeFanInNC Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 4,019	Yeah, I've always done it by hand too. PITA.

11-14-2009, 12:14 AM	#14
Athletics17 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: jackson Hole, Wy Posts: 1,187	Tombair, that Lancaster text is awesome. The brown shadow gives it a great touch. __________________ Compilation of Uniforms

11-14-2009, 03:32 PM	#15
micropterus58 All Star Starter Join Date: May 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,235	Alan T, the tail is called a swash. It is included with the Ballpark Script font if you purchase it from Letterhead Fonts. I was never able to find any when I searched a few years ago.

11-14-2009, 08:22 PM	#18
Alan T All Star Starter Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mass. Posts: 1,963	Thanks guys for this thread and the help with finding the various fonts that include swashes.. It makes it much easier to make lettering for jerseys. For instance, I just created this one for one of the owners in one of my leagues I commish. __________________ - Front Office Offseason League. (Fast Paced OOTP-X and OOTP11 leagues, sims one season every week)