Style
Script & Lettering Tattoos in Whitby
Script and lettering is words drawn for skin — calligraphy, hand-lettered fonts, custom typography. At HeadRush Whitby, lettering is taken by all our artists, but Nadija handles most script-led pieces.
What script and lettering actually is
- •Hand-drawn typography — not traceable from a font file.
- •Spacing and flow matter as much as the letters themselves.
- •Can stand alone or sit inside a larger composition (under a portrait, alongside florals).
- •Letter weight, slant and connection details all change the feel — formal calligraphy reads differently than flowing modern script.
When script & lettering is a good fit
- •You want a meaningful word, name, date or quote.
- •You want lettering as part of a larger design (memorial portraits, banners, etc.).
- •You like the look of hand-drawn typography over computer-set fonts.
When script & lettering might not be the best choice
- •You want a specific font printed exactly. Most fonts don't translate cleanly to skin — your artist will adjust spacing and letter weight to make the piece readable for decades.
- •Very small lettering on areas that move (fingers, inner wrist). Letters can blur as the lines spread, more so than larger pieces.
- •Long passages of text. The longer the text, the larger the placement needs to be.
Who does lettering at HeadRush
Nadija — handles most script and lettering projects.
All other resident artists take lettering bookings as part of larger pieces — memorial work, sleeves with banners, dates beside portraits.
Recent work
Pricing
- •Studio minimum: $135 (HST included).
- •Hourly rate: $180–$250 depending on artist.
- •Short lettering (a name, a date): $200–$400, single session.
- •Longer script (quote, lyric): price scales with length and placement size.
Final price is always confirmed at your free 30-minute consultation, before any deposit changes hands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just bring a font and you copy it exactly?+
We will use the font as a starting point, but we will adjust spacing, weight and connections so the piece reads cleanly on your skin and ages well. Direct font-to-skin copies often don't survive long-term.
Will small lettering blur with age?+
Often yes. Thin script on areas that move (inside of the wrist, side of the finger) is the worst case for blur. We will tell you up-front if your size and placement are at risk.
Can lettering be part of a bigger tattoo?+
Yes — most of our lettering work sits inside larger compositions. A portrait with a date, a sleeve with a banner, a memorial piece with a name and a flower.
How long does a single name take?+
Usually under an hour for the tattoo itself. Most of the time goes into the consultation — getting the typography right is the hard part.
Do you do calligraphy in non-Latin scripts (Arabic, Cyrillic, Asian languages)?+
Yes, but only if you (or someone you trust) can confirm the spelling and meaning. We will not draw a script we cannot read without you signing off on the exact text.
Ready to start?
Book a free 30-minute consultation. Bring references, talk through size and placement, leave with an honest quote — no deposit until you book the session.
Book a Free Consultation