Stefan Kunz reveals how to do hand lettering in a flash

With his art, Stefan Kunz inspires fans from all over the world. For us he has created lettering from hundreds of icons of Swiss Post services. During the eight-hour development process, I found out from Switzerland's best-known hand lettering artist how he turned his hobby into a profession, why the aircraft staff gave him a gift and how you can enter into the world of hand lettering.

A portrait of Sandra Gurtner.
Sandra Gurtner
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Stefan Kunz creates a lettering.

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Video: Handlettering

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Stefan, why is hand lettering so popular?

I think it’s because many people want to return to something concrete and are naturally attracted to beautiful things. For me, it’s a way of expressing myself, a way of communicating.

As a Swiss Post employee, I have to ask: do you actually write letters as a hand lettering artist?

Honestly speaking, I rarely write letters. This is mainly because I tend to maintain personal contacts in the digital world.

So we shouldn’t expect any stylish post from you?

Not in the conventional sense. Sometimes I design and write personal cards. I fly a lot and create thank-you cards for the cabin crew, for example. Often their work goes unappreciated and so they respond emotionally. Once, in return, they even gave me a teddy bear on which they embroidered my name during the flight.

So if we want to get in touch with your work we need to work for an airline?

You can simply follow me on Instagram or YouTube . I try a lot of things out on these channels, give my ideas space and also share hand lettering tutorials with my community.

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© Stefan Kunz

The lettering WE, consisting of many small drawings.

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So is this how you became a full-time hand lettering artist?

Yes to some extent. I used to work for a bank. At the time, design was just my hobby. I started with collages that I shared on Instagram. After that, I made my first attempts at hand lettering, which I also showed on social media. My work has become so popular that I have been working as a full-time hand lettering artist since 2015. Until then, I didn't realise that this could become my job. Today I have my own limited company and I try to make something at least once a day.

And if you lack inspiration?

Then I look on Pinterest. I try to find something on there that I can use for myself. Often interesting things lie hidden behind something obvious.

Do you have any starter tips for future hand letterers?

Yes, you shouldn't spend much time thinking about it – just get started! That sounds simple, but in reality it is quite difficult. Especially because in the beginning not everything goes perfectly or because you are unfamiliar with the new field. It takes a dose of courage to get involved with the unknown. But I know from my own experience that you have everything you need to start. The most important thing is that it is fun and you always go a step further than planned. That’s my mantra: create something everyday, even if it’s not perfect.

Who is your hand lettering role model?

At the moment I think the Australian Gemma O’Brien is great. We also met in Sydney once. She is not only talented but also very nice.

Finally, which object would you most like to see feature your art?

That’s easy: the A380 superjumbo, which would then fly past my house. But I could also imagine something smaller, such as a stamp.

For all those interested in hand lettering, we have compiled some useful tips on the subject on schreiben.post.ch/en/the-art-of-beautiful-writing Have fun creating!

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written by

Sandra Gurtner

Digital Content Specialist