Style
Script & Lettering Tattoos in Whitby
Script and lettering covers calligraphy, hand-lettered fonts and custom typography. At HeadRush Whitby, lettering is taken by all our artists, but Nadija handles most script-led pieces.
What script and lettering 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.
Planning your lettering
- •Bring the words and a font you like. We redraw the letters so they read cleanly on skin and last.
- •Fingers and the inner wrist work at larger sizes.
- •Longer text needs a larger placement.
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–$200 depending on artist.
- •Short lettering (a name, a date): $200–$400, single session.
- •Longer script (quote, lyric): price scales with length and placement size.
You get the exact price in writing at your free 30-minute consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just bring a font and you copy it exactly?+
Yes, bring it. We use it as a starting point and redraw the spacing, weight and connections so it reads cleanly and ages well.
Will small lettering blur with age?+
Size and placement decide it. Lettering on stable skin holds best, and we tell you at the consultation which size will stay readable.
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?+
A single name usually takes under an hour in the chair.
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 your references, talk through size and placement, and leave with a session count and a price. No deposit until you book the session.
Book a free consultation