Retro American Lettering: Discover the Interlock Style

Start by getting to know Francis Chouquet and discovering his atypical career path, which has stretched from web design to lettering. He tells you about meeting the artist Ken Barber, which was a pivotal moment for him.

He then introduces you to the tools and fundamental elements of typography. Do you know the difference between typography, calligraphy, and lettering? Familiarize yourself with calligrams, which are especially suited to the interlock style.

Then, create a mood board to help you find inspiration and do some small sketches in thumbnail form. Once you've decided on a format, create a solid base using the "skeleton" technique, inside which you can play around with different styles.

After this exciting handiwork, it's time for the digital tools! Transfer your final sketch to Procreate, create layers, and work on the inking, before adding color, texture, and grain.

Learn how to prepare your file for printing and share it on social media. As a bonus, discover how to give it an even more retro vibe thanks to a technique used in screen printing or risography. Now you've got all the skills to create your own amazing vintage lettering!