Copperplate Script
カッパープレート・スクリプト / 17th–18th century– / Style / Lettering
The engraver's thin, fluent line produced the ideal of the written hand, and it settled into the letter of formality, of society and of certificates.



At a glance
Visual cues
- Hairline-and-swell contrast
- Continuous strokes
- Slanted oval skeleton
- Flourishes
Best used for
- Invitations, certificates and diplomas where a formal written hand is expected
- Brand and product names on labels meant to feel like an old trademark
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Dictionary entry
- Type
- Limit capitals and flourish to one place, keeping slant and oval steady below
- Composition
- Stack centered lines with open leading so flourishes have room to travel
- Material
- Smooth heavy stock and a process that holds hairlines, foil or engraving suits it
- Caution
- Adding too many flourishes hides the skeleton of the letters, and the effect reads as generic decoration rather than formality.
- Further study
- George Bickham / English round hand / the mutual influence of graver and pen
Related entries
- Italic (イタリック)Shared effects: Intimacy / Luxury.Compare Copperplate Script and Italic
- Victorian Ornament (ヴィクトリアン装飾)Shared effects: Luxury.Compare Copperplate Script and Victorian Ornament
Often confused with
More from Lettering
Continue through styles in the same Lettering family, prioritised by shared effects.
- Calligram (カリグラム)Shared effects: Intimacy.
- Sign Painting (サインペインティング)Shared effects: Intimacy.
- Manga Lettering (漫画の描き文字)Shared effects: Intimacy.
Cite this entry
The dictionary is meant to be linked to. Take whichever form fits where you are writing.
- Link
- https://indexstyle.org/styles/copperplate-script
- Markdown
- [Copperplate Script — IndexStyle](https://indexstyle.org/styles/copperplate-script)
- HTML
- <a href="https://indexstyle.org/styles/copperplate-script">Copperplate Script — IndexStyle</a>