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How can I add my personal handwriting on my digital layouts?

You may think that, because your layouts are digital, you have lost the ability to add your own personal handwriting. Beyond just the meaning of our words, our handwriting can really set the mood of a layout. Below are a few ideas to get you started.

Download free handwriting fonts. You're never limited to just basic fonts. There are an amazing array of free fonts, including fonts created from real handwriting. You can look for one that looks similar to your own handwriting, one that fits with the mood of your layout, or just one you think is cute or fun. Here are some websites to find great handwriting fonts:

Free Handwriting Fonts

Font Garden

Dafont.com

Sample Fonts:

Turn your handwriting into a font. There are directions on the website that make it easy and simple to create your own handwriting font. After all...there's even been a font created from President George Bush's handwriting!

Font Garden
FontGod
Fontifier

Scan your handwriting or doodles. Write out your journaling and any personalized accents you want to add, scan it in, and extract it. It's quite easy...using Photoshop Elements just add contrast to the scan, select the white area, then choose "Select Similar" (to get inside the circles of the o's and other letters). Then, simply select the inverse so that you have the black text selected. Copy and paste onto your layout and you're done!

Have fun doodling and writing -- even on your digital layouts!

EXTRA Tip:
A quick way to add a personal drawing to your journaling is to use a handwriting font from one of the sites above, then draw your doodles around the type with your mouse or Wacom tablet for a great look. Don't worry about your lines being straight.. a bit of imperfection adds whimsy and fun. (font in example is Philing)


 

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