Journaling Wars! Handwriting vs. Typing

The war is on! Whether you should use handwriting or typing for journaling is a subject of vigorous debate. Everyone has an opinion. This can make adding journaling to your scrapbook page a huge stumbling block.  Just what you need, another problem with journaling!

You’ve probably been told to use your own handwriting. You’ve heard the arguments for using your handwriting on your pages.

• Your family will appreciate your own touch
• It is faster and easier
• It makes your page personal.

You think, “Yeah, but have you seen my writing?”

You’ve also read many tips on ways to improve your own writing, so you will be more comfortable in adding it to your page. Useful tips like:

• Practice on scrap paper first
• Give yourself some lines to write on
• Use pencil, then cover it with pen
• Try different pens with different point sizes

I used my handwriting on this page. It’s not awful, but I don’t especially love it either!

Here’s the up close look. I used a pencil to make lines so it would be straight.

These tips help, but you STILL might not be loving your handwriting, so you go back to typing your journaling on the computer. There’s several advantages to using the computer:

• You can use fonts as a design element
• You can resize to make it fit the space you have
• You can shape your journaling
• You can use spell check
• It’s nice and neat

I used typing to help the journaling ‘fit’ the size of the box.

I love the font, it’s easy to read and looks good, but it’s not very personal.

While all of these points are super handy, it still doesn’t give you the personal touch of adding your own handwriting. So, how can a creative scrapper win this war?

Create your own font!

At yourfonts.com you can create a custom font using your own handwriting or printing! The process is very easy. Follow the 7 simple steps and you can create your own font too!

1. Print Template
2. Complete Template
3. Scan & Save Template
4. Upload Template
5. Preview Your Font
6. Download
7. Install & Use

Here’s a couple tips that made this easier for me.

• Follow the directions!
• Read, and re-read the directions for Step 2. Take your time to fill out the template right so you’ll be happy with the font you create!
• You need to be able to use a scanner, or find someone that can help you.
• Take the time to check your font over before you complete your purchase. I was unhappy with a few of my letters, so I fixed them on my template and re-scanned it. (I used a white-out tape to cover over my ‘poor’ letters, that seemed to work just fine for me.)
• Read the instructions carefully on how to install your font. I’ve never done this before, but was able to figure it out by following the directions.

When you are finished you can start using your custom font on your scrapbook pages!  Here’s a page that I created using my own font.

I had a lot to say on this layout, so it’s nice that I could write it and edit it as much as I wanted, while still having a touch of personality!

Here’s a peek at my font up close. Every letter is the ‘best’ one of my regular style. My writing is never this straight either!

Here’s what I love about it:

• Every letter is the best letter I make.
• I can easily change the size of my font to fit the journaling space on my page.
• I can edit and make changes to my writing easily.
• It lines up so straight and pretty!
• This would be so AWESOME for digital scrappers too!

Consider this the hybrid option between handwriting and typing. This war now ends in a tie!

Now go ahead and have fun creating your own fonts!

Let your creativity shine!

Alice.

Click here to create your own font!

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