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Bullet Journal Fonts (with Free Hand Lettering Worksheets)

Today you’re going to learn how to make your bujo notebook stand out with amazing hand-lettered bullet journal fonts.

No matter, if you’re a lettering expert or an impatient, unartistic bullet journalist like myself, you still want your bullet journal fonts to look fancy.

In fact, these lettering tips and tricks help me to improve bullet journal fonts from this…

bujo font ideas

…to this:

bullet journal quote page

So if you want to learn:

  • how to write neatly in your journal
  • what bullet journal supplies do you need
  • basic lettering styles and fonts for bullet journal
  • creative lettering for bullet journal
  • awesome bullet journal fonts tips and tricks
  • how to make your hand-lettering better
  • bullet journal lettering shortcuts if the everyday hand-lettering practice is not your thing 

This unrevealed guide on bullet journal fonts is a must-read for you.

Additionally, you’ll find the ultimate list of free calligraphy practice sheets.

So let’s dive right in!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. It means that I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase a product that I have recommended. It won’t cost you any extra money.

Bullet Journal Fonts

Quote it is ok to grow slow

Undoubtedly, you can find many ways to spruce up your bullet journal like, for example, creating simple but cute doodles or making your bujo headers and banners stand out.

Even so, if you asked me where to start, I’d suggest you improve your journal lettering.

Definitely, it’s my favorite way to add some wow factor to a plain bullet journal.

Assuming you’re super new to the bullet journal world, I bet you feel completely intimidated.

At least I was.

I thought about how I’ll be able to do any type of lettering if my own handwriting sucks.

Generally, there are two main options on how to do bullet journal lettering.

Firstly, you may want to get better handwriting.

In such a case, you’ll need to watch some bullet journal lettering tutorials, grab hand lettering practice sheets and use good quality lettering pens and paper.

On the other hand, you can take some shortcuts and use tools like bullet journal lettering stencils, stamps, or stickers.

Tips on How to Write Neatly in Your Journal

bullet journal quotes

Have you ever thought about what pretty handwriting really mean?

In my opinion, your writing style is neat when the letters are easy to read and consistent with size, spacing, slanting, and form.

Here I gathered a few tips on how to improve handwriting:

  • keep your shoulder relaxed while writing
  • use a pen that is comfortable (for you!)
  • never mix letters – choose one letterform throughout the entire sentence
  • close the circles (in letters like a, o, d, etc.) to avoid being mistaken for other letters and, in the end, result, misleading the reader
  • be reasonable with letter spacing – the letters should be near each other but make sure they’re not connected
  • keep your lines straight

What Bullet Journal Supplies Do You Need

To be completely honest, if you want to create beautiful bullet journal fonts, you need to get some great tools.

Basically, I guarantee that by using an ordinary pen and paper you won’t obtain the desired result.

Firstly, you invest in a good brush pen and some paper for practicing.

Remember, that brush tips are sensitive and can last shorter if you’re using rough paper.

It’s definitely worth getting smooth paper designed for use with markers and brush pens.

Please find my favorite bullet journal products like markers, pens, and brush pens that I highly recommend below.

Tombow Fudenosuke

Sale
Tombow 62038 Fudenosuke...
  • Contains both the soft and hard tip Fudenosuke Brush Pens
  • Features a flexible brush tip for different lettering and drawing techniques
  • Create extra fine, fine or medium strokes by a change in brush pressure

Last update on 2025-01-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Without a doubt, for those of you who have just recently started to learn brush lettering, this pen is the number one I recommend.

In most cases, hand lettering newbies (including myself) start their journey by getting Tombow Dual Brush Pen.

Obviously, don’t get me wrong – I’m a huge fan of these.

However, as a beginner, you probably will have a hard time controlling them because of a very soft and quite larger brush marker tip.

For this reason, getting pens with a hard nib could be a better option.

But at the same time, you can get Tombow Fudenosuke pens with both nibs – the hard and the soft ones.

Altogether, I suggest you buy a set of 2 pens to try out and decide which nib you prefer.

Also, keep in mind that the Tombow Fudenosuke pen with hard tips is available in color!

Tombow Dual Brush Pen

Tombow 56187 Dual Brush...
  • Updated color palette now includes N95 Cool Gray 1
  • Ideal for hand lettering, watercolor, fine art, illustrations, doodling, journaling,...
  • Water-based

Last update on 2025-01-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Definitely, these brush pens are the most popular ones.

First and foremost, they’re available in 96 (!) colors!

As I mentioned before, their brush tips are very soft and flexible.

For this reason, it takes some time to learn how to control them for smooth thin upstrokes and thick downstrokes.

However, the second end is a fine, strong bullet tip, perfect for details and writing.

Unquestionably, the most fun part of using Tombow Dual Brush Pens is that you can create many cool effects like watercolor or ombre with only one tool.

Crayola Markers

Crayola 50ct Washable...
  • Crayola Super tips washable marker set having durable
  • Age.Mfg Minimum: 36

Last update on 2025-01-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Unquestionably, there are no better tools for brush calligraphy than brush pens.

However, they were quite expensive.

Luckily, there,s a more affordable option.

Crayola markers.

Also, you can learn how to do brush lettering with Crayola markers.

Paper

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Dingbats - Earth Dotted...
  • A5 NOTEBOOK WITH LOTS O' FEATURES: Dingbats notebooks ooze quality - this hardcover...
  • HIGHEST-QUALITY WRITING PAPER: This A5 notebook journal (medium, 16 x 21.5 cm) in a...
  • A MULTI-FACETED JOURNAL: Use this stylish notebook as a space to organise your days...
HP Paper Printer | 8.5 x...
  • Made in USA: HP Papers is sourced from renewable forest resources and has achieved...
  • Heavyweight premium printing: HP Premium32 is a heavyweight (32 pounds), brighter...
  • Certified sustainable: HP Premium32 presentation paper is Forest Stewardship Council...
Canson XL Series Marker...
  • Feature a semi translucent, white paper
  • Suitable for drawing or design from rough sketch to finished form
  • Works beautifully with pen, pencil, and alcohol or solvent markers (which will not...

Last update on 2025-01-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Besides, don’t forget about the right paper.

Basically, if you’re using texture and rough paper, your brush pens will wear away sooner than later. So choosing the right paper is definitely crucial for any kind of lettering activity.

For example, when it comes to a bullet journal notebook, I highly recommend the one from Dingbats.

Not only the paper is smooth but also it’s thick.

For this reason, you don’t have to deal with bleeding through the paper.

On the other hand, I use high-quality smooth printer paper or Canson XL Marker Paper (that is designed especially for markers) for practice purposes.

Along with this, I love the fact that Canson’s paper is semi-transparent.

For this reason, I print out the lettering practice sheets only once and use them over and over again.

Sakura Pigma Micron Pen Set

SAKURA Pigma Micron...
  • Precise archival pens create fade resistant, waterproof, bleed free marks for...
  • Includes 6 black ink Pigma Micron pens in point sizes 005 (0.20mm), 01 (0.25mm), 02...
  • Pigma Micron ink is pH neutral, quick drying, and approved by ACMI toxicologists;...

Last update on 2025-01-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Besides brush lettering, there are so many gorgeous bullet journal fonts that demand using inking.

Undoubtedly, my go-to pens are Sakura Pigma Micron Pens.

With a range variety of sizes and rich pigmented ink, they’re an outstanding tool for lettering.

Bullet Journal Lettering Styles

inspirational quotes for bullet journal

But what about creating all of these awesome bullet journals cute headings?

Sometimes, especially in the beginning, you can feel a little bit lost.

There are so many styles of lettering.

Although looking for inspiration on Instagram or Pinterest may be tempting, it’s a simple way to become overwhelmed and give up hand lettering.

However, there are three basic lettering styles I’d recommend for beginners.

The best part of drawing letters is that it doesn’t require beautiful handwriting.

Block Letters (Serif & San Serif)

In most cases, you’ll use block letters in your bullet journal headings or titles.

It’s the fastest way to write prettier.

Just use your basic style and write down the word with all capital letters with spacing between them. It looks much more elegant.

You can choose between classic and elegant serif (a short line attached to the upper and lower end of the letter’s stroke) fonts, clean and modern sans serif fonts for journals, or other creative lettering styles.

Btw., you can read a great article about different types of lettering here.

Brush Lettering

The other way to decorate your bullet journal spreads is brush calligraphy.

Basically, it’s a creative writing style where all of the downstrokes are thick and upstrokes thin.

It sounds pretty simple, but trust me – it takes a lot of time to learn how to control the pen’s pressure.

Here are some great tips on how to practice brush lettering:

  • practice makes progress – commit yourself to practice 1-2 hours per day and build up muscle memory
  • hold your brush pen at the right angle – don’t hold your pen too tight and hard
  • learn how to walk before you run – practice the basic strokes first, then the single letters, and finally the words and sentences
  • keep in mind your posture (feet on the floor, keep your back straight, rest your elbow/arm on the table) and work environment (the height of a chair, desk, etc.)

Bouncy Lettering

Now you can create a bouncy look for your brush lettering. Definitely, it looks so cool.

Generally, you break the lettering rules and ignore the baseline.

Here is a more detailed tutorial on how to bounce your lettering.

Bullet Journal Fonts Tricks

When you have basic serif, sans serif, or script letters, adding shadows, outline, color or filling the letter with flourishing, gradient, or glitter effects will extra wow factor. 

Faux Calligraphy

bullet-journal-fonts-faux-calligraphy

Now, when you know that brush lettering takes a lot of time, effort, and practice to look nice, you can feel daunted.

It sounds complicated but in reality, it takes maybe 2 minutes and the end result is amazing.

Write down a word using your handwriting but in cursive.

Just make sure you give enough room between each letter.

It’s important because every time you go with a pen downward you will draw a line next to it.

When you’re ready, darken all created areas with a pen.

Just in case you’re impatient and want to write in a script style right away without practicing brush lettering at all, faux calligraphy may be the easiest and quickest option for you to begin with.

Faux calligraphy looks like brush lettering and you don’t have to pay attention to the pen pressure.

Outline

Literally, anyone can do this cool hand-lettering trick.

Take a pencil and draw letters with your basic style.

Next, draw the lines around them with a pen.

Remember to maintain equal spacing around all of your lines. After you finish and your pen dries, erase the pencil lines away.

Bullet Journal Fonts Details

bullet journal july title pink

To spruce up your block letters, grab a pen and add some details, patterns, or textures inside.

Drop Shadow

Another way to add a wow factor to your block letters is to use a drop shadow.

Before you get started, decide where are the sun and the shadow cast.

Yes, it may sound quite strange but you want to choose one side of the letters and stick with it.

Flourishing

There are dozens of ways to flourish your lettering.

Unquestionably, it gives the letters a style.

Although it takes a lot of practice, you can start simply by adding some embellishments and curls.

How to Make Your Bullet Journal Lettering Better

lettering practicing resources

There is only one answer: practice, practice, and practice.

As I said, you can get great results by practicing a minimum of 1-2 hours daily.

Thankfully, there are many online resources you can use for your daily hand lettering practice.

Hand Lettering Worksheets

Without a doubt, it takes a lot of practice to control your hands and get rid of shaky strokes.

Now you can easily improve your lettering skills with a bunch of free brush lettering practice sheets you can find online.

Here are my top three free brush lettering practice sheets resources:

Free Calligraphy Worksheets

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Mont Marte Calligraphy...
  • 31pc set includes: 4 refillable calligraphy pens, 5 nibs, 20 ink cartridges, ink pen...
  • Create a range of lettering styles
  • Traditional nibs ideal for Roman, Round Hand, Italic, Gothic, Uncial and more

Last update on 2025-01-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Along with free hand lettering worksheets, you can find free calligraphy printable worksheets as well.

There’s something romantic in writing with a classic calligraphy pen with ink.

However, it’s an art.

And obviously, every kind of art needs practice.

With this in mind, here I gathered free calligraphy practice sheet resources.

  • calligraphy worksheets by Molly

Instagram

There are a lot of hand-lettering artists who share their amazing artwork on Instagram.

As a beginner, I’m not afraid to grab inspiration and put them in my creative bullet journal pages.

As long as you give proper credit to an artist, it’s absolutely ok to do it.

My favorite Instagram accounts are:

Skillshare

If you’re a bullet journal alphabet freak, and you spend all your money on pens and brushes, probably you want to learn hand lettering. You can find a ton of hand lettering classes on Skillshare.

My favorite classes are:

1. Hand Lettering: 4 Easy Steps to Modern Calligraphy

2. The Golden Secrets of Hand-Lettering: Create the Perfect Postcard

3. Brush Lettering for Beginners: How to Get Started the Best Way for Success

YouTube

I would mention only 1 channel: How To Hand Letter.

Definitely, it’s my go-to channel for easy hand-lettering tutorials, tips, and tricks.

Hand Lettering Books

Sale
Creative Lettering and...
  • Walter Foster creative lettering and beyond book
  • Walter Foster creative lettering and beyond book- combine the artistic talents,...
  • Master the art of handle lettering and typography with easy-to-follow, projects,...
CreateSpace Classics...
  • Learn to letter and create beautiful designs with this beginner's guide and workbook!...
  • At the end of this book, there are also 15 beautiful lettering projects to help you...
  • Press, Paper Peony (Author)
Sale
Hand Lettering 101: A...
  • Paige Tate & Co. (Producer) - Chalkfulloflove (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 126 Pages - 06/21/2016 (Publication Date) - Paige Tate & Co (Publisher)
Sale
The Joy of Lettering: A...
  • Kirkendall, Gabri Joy (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 144 Pages - 10/17/2016 (Publication Date) - Walter Foster Publishing (Publisher)

Last update on 2025-01-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

I recently bought “Creative Lettering and Beyond. Inspiring tips, techniques, and ideas for hand lettering your way to beautiful works of art”.

This book is a great intro to how to hand lettering.

I think all tips and tricks, on how to form the letters, are super useful.

It’s also a kind of workbook because you have plenty of space to practice.

Along with this, I listed a bunch of hand-lettering books you can get on Amazon.

Bullet Journal Fonts & Lettering Hacks

Definitely, it takes quite a long time to improve hand lettering journal fonts to get a pretty look.

But what if learning bullet journal hand lettering is not your thing?

And ever since you’ve been a kid you’ve had terrible handwriting.

So, is there any hope for you (and your bujo fonts)?

Of course!

Here are 4 super simple tricks for your bullet journal fonts.

Even if you have handwriting like chicken scratch.

1. Stickers / Washi Tape

Washi Tape Set of 7 Rolls...
  • SET OF 7 ROLLS: Each roll is 0.59in x 22.9ft (Width x Length)
  • GENUINE WASHI MATERIAL: Japanese paper material, better quality and texture. Paper...
  • PRACTICAL PATTERN: Design elements include numbers, weather, week marks for...

Last update on 2025-01-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

It’s one of the simplest ways.

Assuming you want to have a beautiful bullet journal, but learning hand-lettering isn’t your thing, you can get many stickers online, do them by yourself or choose washi tape.

2. Stamps

Welcome to Joyful Home...
  • Use:Just put some ink on it and stamp to the paper or card, wait several minutes for...
  • The backgroud pattern of each small stamp is printed on the sheet.While each small...
  • Naturally able to cling to gross surface, especially acrylic block.

Last update on 2025-01-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

All you need is the acrylic block, ink, and a set of stamps.

You peel off the stamp, put it on a block, and put the stamp on the ink.

Easy, peasy.

3. Stencils

Last update on 2025-01-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Lettering for the bullet journal is so much easier when you’re using stencils.

The letters come in many different styles and sizes.

4. Tracing

tracer app android

Undoubtedly, my favorite bullet journal hand lettering hack for non-artists is to use a tracer app like Tracer! Lightbox app (available for Android – I’m pretty sure that you can find a similar app on your iPhone).

Not only, this app enables me to block the screen, but also it’s very convenient to use.

Bullet Journal Fonts & Lettering Ideas – Final Thoughts

bullet journal quotes for new year

Undoubtedly, hand lettering is a skill you can learn only if you spend a lot of time practicing strokes and letters.

Sometimes it can be really frustrating and requires a lot of patience.

Especially when you tried so hard and you can’t see any significant progress.

But don’t give up and keep going.

Just have fun and remember that practice makes progress.

Trust me – you’ll be a lettering expert soon.

What’s Next? Check out Another Bullet Journal Ideas:

Simple Doodle Ideas for Bullet Journal

Bullet Journal Monthly Cover Ideas: 150+ Ideas for 2023

Easy Flower Doodles for a Bullet Journal

Bullet Journal Fonts