Learn playful serif lettering with step-by-step A–Z tutorials. Draw the full serif lettering alphabet, one letter at a time.
Playful Serif Lettering Alphabet (A–Z Tutorials)
Want to learn serif lettering? This playful serif lettering alphabet series will show you exactly how to draw all 26 letters step by step.
Serif letters are known for their small finishing strokes (called serifs) at the ends of each letterform. These little details add personality, elegance, and structure to lettering styles. In this series, we’re putting a fun twist on traditional serif forms with playful shapes, creative serifs, and decorative details.
Each tutorial walks you through one letter of the alphabet, making it easy to practice at your own pace. By the end of the series, you’ll have drawn the entire serif lettering alphabet from A to Z.
These tutorials are perfect for:
- Beginner hand lettering artists
- iPad lettering in Procreate
- Anyone who wants to expand their lettering style library
SUPPLIES + Downloads
- Procreate Color Palette. You can use any colors you want, but if you’d like to use the same palette I’m using, you can download it for free right here.
- Template. This has the simple letter frames drawn for you. You’ll build out the letters yourself for each one as you follow along with my video lessons. Download it as a PDF or a Procreate File.
- Playful Serifs Workbook. If you’re new to lettering or just prefer a trace-to-learn style, you can get the workbook for this series.
LETTERS A to Z: VIDEO Tutorials
Start with Letter A, or jump to any letter you’d like to practice. Click the letter to go to the blog post.
Note: Each letter will become clickable as the tutorials are published.
A – B – C – D – E – F – G – H – J – K – L – M – N – O – P – Q – R – S – T – U – V – W – X – Y – Z
WATCH THE SERIES VIDEO LESSONS
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Serif Lettering FAQs
What is serif lettering?
Serif lettering refers to letterforms that include small finishing strokes, called serifs, at the ends of the main strokes. These small details add structure and personality to letters and are commonly found in traditional typefaces such as Times New Roman and Garamond. In hand lettering, serif styles can range from classic and elegant to playful and decorative.
What is the serif lettering alphabet?
The serif lettering alphabet is the full set of A–Z letters designed with serif details. Each letter includes small strokes or extensions at the ends of the main lines. Practicing the alphabet is a great way to learn how serif shapes influence letter structure, spacing, and style.
How do you draw serif letters?
To draw serif letters, start with the basic letter shape, then add small finishing strokes at the ends of the main lines. These strokes can be straight, curved, flared, or decorative, depending on the style. In this series, each tutorial shows how to draw one letter step by step so you can practice the entire serif lettering alphabet. By the end, you’ll have a playful piece of alphabet art that also serves as a serif styles reference guide!
Are serif letters good for beginners?
Yes! Serif lettering can be beginner-friendly because the base shapes are often simple. Once you draw the main letterform, you can add small serif details to give the letter more personality. Practicing one letter at a time makes it easy for beginners to build confidence and develop their lettering skills.
Can I practice serif lettering in Procreate?
Absolutely. Serif lettering works beautifully in Procreate, especially with monoline or brush-style brushes. You can practice the alphabet using worksheets or draw directly on your iPad while following the tutorials in this series.
What tools can I use for serif lettering?
You can practice serif lettering with a variety of tools, including:
- Pencil and paper
- Brush pens
- Monoline pens or markers
- Digital brushes in Procreate
The techniques are the same no matter which tools you use.
Why should I practice the lettering alphabet?
Practicing the lettering alphabet helps you understand how letters are constructed and how they work together in words. Working through the full alphabet builds muscle memory and makes it easier to create consistent, balanced lettering styles in your artwork. Serifs are my favorite!
Want to Practice More Lettering Styles?
If you enjoyed learning this serif lettering alphabet, the best way to improve your skills is to keep practicing with new lettering styles.
My Lettering Style Workbooks are designed to help you explore a wide variety of hand lettering alphabets, from clean monoline styles to decorative scripts and playful display lettering. Each workbook includes guided practice sheets, alphabet examples, and step-by-step worksheets to help you build confidence and develop your own lettering style.
You can practice with printable worksheets or use the Procreate files directly on your iPad for digital lettering practice.
Explore the full collection here:
The more alphabets you practice, the easier it becomes to mix styles, experiment with new letterforms, and create lettering that feels uniquely yours.
How to Download & OPEN Files
Each post of this series will feature a set of free worksheets. Here’s how to download the files.
If you’re using a computer:
- Download the ZIP file.
- Double-click the ZIP file to unzip it. This creates a standard folder containing the files.
- Open the folder, then locate the .procreate file and/or the PDF.
- Send to your iPad using AirDrop, iCloud Drive, Dropbox, or email.
- On your iPad, tap the file and select “Open in Procreate” to open the Procreate file, or open the PDF in your preferred app.
If you’re doing it directly on your iPad:
- Download the ZIP file and open the Files app.
- Go to your Downloads folder or the location you saved it.
- Tap the ZIP file once. The iPad will automatically unzip it into a new folder.
- Open the new folder and tap the .procreate file.
- Tap Share → Open in Procreate (or it may open automatically).
Related LETTERING Series
- The Anatomy of Letters: An A-Z Guide
- Hand Lettering the Alphabet A–Z for Beginners
- Modern Penmanship Tips for Calligraphy and Lettering Lovers
- Cursive Alphabet: Free A–Z Practice Sheets
- How to Draw Bubble Letters (A-Z Tutorials + Free Printables)
HELPFUL LINKS
- Want a free Procreate Brush Set and monthly freebies? Sign up for my newsletter!
- Ready to level up? Check out my 12 Playful Lettering Styles!
Practicing the serif lettering alphabet is one of the best ways to improve your lettering skills. As you work through each tutorial, you’ll start to recognize how serif shapes influence letter structure, spacing, and style. Once you’ve mastered the alphabet, try mixing these playful serif letters into your quotes, word art, and hand lettering projects.
Happy Serif Lettering!
