Events
Tattoo Lettering: Built on Tradition, Shaped by Time
with Jessie Fora
Tattoos last forever—and the lettering should too. Explore tattoo lettering, from its traditions and history to its structure and contemporary design.
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Lettering has always been one of the pillars of tattooing. It’s not just an accessory to imagery, but a discipline with its own history, rules, and visual language. Names, dates, slogans, and memorial text have long been central to why people get tattooed, and that still holds true today.
Strong lettering can stand entirely on its own, communicating meaning through visual form while holding up over time, both visually and emotionally. Meanwhile, it plays a powerful supporting role alongside imagery. It frames designs, guides the eye, and reinforces the meaning behind the imagery. The relationship between text and image is where traditional tattooing truly shines.
Lettering also demands precision, consistency, and a deep understanding of spacing, flow, and readability on the body. These skills strengthen all aspects of tattooing, leading to cleaner lines and more intentional designs.
With 25 years of professional experience, Jessie Fora will share insights into the evolution and impact of lettering styles, from Pike and Old English to script. We’ll also explore composition, tattoo history, and techniques like spit-shading used on flash sheets.
This lecture is for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of lettering in modern tattooing!
Letterform Lectures are a public aspect of the Type West postgraduate program. The series is co-presented by the San Francisco Public Library, where events are free and open to all.
Jessie Fora
Jessie Flora is a lettering artist and tattooer based on the East Coast. She’s been working in this craft professionally since 2001 with a focus on tattooing hand-drawn lettering, calligraphy, typography. She also makes paintings featuring letterforms.
Jessie’s work draws inspiration from a wide range of historical references, often reinterpreted through a more modern lens while staying rooted in classic composition. Working by hindsight. 🙂
Alongside tattooing and painting, Jessie is a board member of Society of Scribes in NYC, a calligraphy guild where she continues to engage with the traditions in calligraphy and study of lettering as a craft.
