• Graffiti letteringgraffiti image by MajusC00L from Fotolia.com
  
  Writing is an essential form of communication. Like the spoken form, however, it's not always what you say, but how you say it. From ancient history to modern times, different lettering styles, from traditional calligraphy to spray-can graffiti, have been used to artistically express the written word.
  
  

Graffiti

• Graffiti lettering can be spotted in most cities around the world. Although the idea behind graffiti, which has existed for centuries, is expression through writing or drawing on someone else's property, the art form has acquired its own distinct lettering style. The technique developed around the modern graffiti artist's utensil of choice, the spray can, which is perfect for painting wide, sometimes bubble-shaped letters on walls. Because of the odd shapes and the assortment of colors, graffiti lettering can be difficult to read at first, which, metaphorically speaking, blurs the lines between art and text.
  
  

Calligraphy

• Calligraphy has taken many forms in many languages and cultures, from Arabic to ancient Greek. Simply put, calligraphy is the art of hyper-stylized lettering. For instance, in Japanese cultures, where calligraphy dates back to the 4th century, artists practiced for years to master the perfect brush stroke when assembling their characters. Another well known form of calligraphy can be seen in European Bibles from the Middle Ages, when monks laboriously crafted each letter in the Gothic fonts of the times.
  
  

Stencils

• The idea behind stencils is almost the exact opposite of that of the finely crafted art of calligraphy. Stencil lettering is meant to be quick to apply and easy to read, which is why it has been used by governments and militaries for the past century. Today, however, stenciling, especially aerosol stenciling with its border of superfluous spray around the edges, has its own artistic quality. Many believe it evokes the D.I.Y. spirit, making it popular in modern society. Stencil lettering is used by advertisers and graphic designers around the world.
  
  

Tattoos

• Tattoo lettering is not so much about the lettering itself but how it's applied and what it's applied to. A branding practice that was once left to sailors and vagabonds, tattooing has become an accepted, mainstream form of artistic expression. People around the world often choose words or sentences for their tattoos, and these can include an array of lettering styles, from Japanese characters to Olde English. Because the letters are applied with an ink gun, the results are for the most part permanent. Whatever the choice of lettering styles, the combination of ink and skin gives tattoos a distinct look and feel.