Architectural & Engineering 

Design & Presentation

Basic Drafting 101 Unit:  
Part 1‐Tools

Part 2‐Lettering
Part 3‐Line Types 
Part 4‐Sketching Skills

Author: Mrs. Baxter 2011
Part 2‐ Lettering Basics:
• Use HB or other medium grade pencil

• Typical lettering height is 1/8” (0.125)

• Use guidelines to make uniform letters ‐‐a 
guideline template makes it easy
• Lettering is usually UPPERCASE
Types of Lettering
 Block
(Engineering practices)

 Inclined

 Architectural
(Architectural practices)
Correct Date Method
 The style does not matter:
 You can do any of the following
 2004/01/25 or 04/01/05
 2004-01-05 or 04/01/05
 However, the correct format for
recording dates is:
 Year / Month / Day
Spacing Lettering
• Space letters by eye so that the 
background areas appear equal, not so 
that the actual distance from one letter 
to the next is equal.
• Space letters within words relatively 
close together. Space words relatively 
far apart. A good rule of thumb is to 
space words the width of capital “O” 
apart. 
• This is called kerning.
Block Letter Shapes

 You can think of each letter as being

formed on a 6 x 6 grid.
 Most letters are 5 units wide by 6 units
tall.
 T O M Q V A X and Y are all 6 units by 6
units.
 Letter W is 8 units wide and 6 units tall
 Letter I and numeral 1 are only the
width of a single stroke.
Letter Proportions 
Equal upper and lower portion give
letters a top heavy appearance.

Make the top portions smaller and the horizontal strokes slightly
above the midline for a more balance appearance.
Block / Mechanical Style
Inclined Lock/Mechanical
Architectural Lettering
 Is NOT the same as mechanical or Block
lettering
 It is more artistic in nature
 Architects often develop their own
distinct style
 Still all UPPERCASE
 Easy to read
 Same style or technique on similar
letters
Arch Style 
Samples
The key is to 
create a unity of 
style

Vary spacing of 
letters to make it 
pleasing to the 
eye
Lettering Summary

• Neat legible lettering is used to add dimensions 
and notes to sketches.
• Poor lettering can ruin an otherwise good 
sketch.
• Engineering lettering is usually drawn with HB or 
other relatively soft lead.
• Use 1/8” or 0.125” uppercase single‐stroke 
letters
Assignment….

• DAILY(s):
• ABC Review or Activity Mat

• Practice BY HAND the Lettering Styles Hand Out 
• Engineering/Mechanical or Architectural Style 
depending on what class you are taking
BONUS: Want to learn more about the history 
of drafting?

• Essentially drafting has been around since man first 
started drawings.
• Write a 1 page synapses about what you learn about the 
History of Drafting
• This website has an excellent explanation of the History of 
Drafting

http://www.uen.org/utahlink/tours/tourViewCategory.cgi
?category_id=21312&tour_id=14435