Dictionary Definition

letterer n : a painter of letters

User Contributed Dictionary

English

Noun

letterer (Plural: letterers)

A person who is professionally employed to add writing to something (as a sign, shop window, etc.)
A particular profession in the production of comics, an artist specializing in neatly writing written material such as dialogue.
A device for printing letters of text.

Extensive Definition

A letterer is a member of a team of comic book creators responsible for drawing the comic book’s text. The letterer writes the letters in the word balloons, draws in sound effects, and usually designs a book’s logo. The letterer’s use of typefaces, calligraphy, letter size, and layout of the words inside the balloon all contribute to the impact of the comic. The letterer is an essential member of a comic-creating team, which may also include a penciler, inker, writer, and colorist.

While many comics are still hand lettered, most mainstream American comics are now lettered using a graphics program such as Adobe Illustrator and a font that usually resembles lettering done by hand. Many cartoonists who formerly lettered by hand now use a computer font made to match their handwriting.

Both the Eisner Awards and the Harvey Awards have a “best letterer” category.

Leading letterers in the comics industry include:

Cartoonists known for the lettering on their own comics include:

Companies that provide computer lettering include:

letterer in German: Lettering

letterer in Dutch: Stripboekbelettering

Synonyms, Antonyms and Related Words

amanuensis, calligrapher, chirographer, clerk, copier, copyist, ink spiller, inkslinger, pen, pencil driver, penman, penner, recording secretary, scribbler, scribe, scrivener, secretary, transcriber, word-slinger, writer