For me, a layout is not complete without a title. Over the years I have collected and designed many alphas. But I also often use the type tool to create titles with fonts and give them a certain look and feel using styles. What do you use the most? Alphas or type tool?
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I wrote an article about that a while ago. There are definitely pros and cons for each, and different usages too.
https://scrapbookcampus.com/2021/11/fonts-and-alphas/
I only use an alpha when it comes with the kit. I will never buy an alpha. Most of the time I use fonts, you can adjust them in any style or color you want. Sometimes I also use a wordt art as my title.
Hi Sonja,
I love fonts. I already have a collection of >4000 fonts. I use alphas very rarely, I've seen them in my gallery, only when they absolutely fit the theme. But I have an externally stored collection of extravagant alphas, mostly for birthday cards. But they often take up a lot of space in smaller formats / for forums or mobile phones. If you make them too small, you often can't see the structure or pattern well anymore.
Thank you Carole. I find your post very interesting.
Thanks for your replies Yvonne and Doska, I've designed a whole lot of alphas during the years and I was just wondering if they would be added value to share here. So I was just curious to see I there was a wish for them. I have created them mostly as part of a kit. So maybe in the future I will share some of them again.
If there is a really special style attached to the alpha then I might use it. I don't do a lot of large title work on my layouts usually so that may be a reason I don't use them often. But I will admit I do love collecting them all the same as you never know when you need that perfect alpha!
I must admit that I am a certified font hoarder, so in general I prefer to use the type tool. If I want a larger title with a certain look, I will make the title from a font. I seldom buy alphas, but mostly use them if they are part of a kit, however I often recolor both alphas and other elements. I occationally buy a special desirable font though. Thanks to Carole for the article about fonts and alphas too. It is a bit annoying to open, copy and paste a lot of single alphas, so the "Open as layer" script is very clever.
Thank you Gunhild for your reaction. So far the scale is more toward fonts then alpha's.
Just for fun, during our Christmas Countdown, a few themed alpha will be available (ex: day 7 has a cookie alpha).
Check them out: https://scrapbookcampus.com/promo/christmas-countdown/
Thanks for this thread @Sonia. Not nearly enough can be said about fonts, fonts and fonts!
Usually, it is the type tool for me. I used to spend a bit of time browsing fonts but ever since I discovered Adobe font packs years ago, these days are over. I guess I prefer fonts because I usually have a bit of a text section on my pages and like to play with styles and twiddledeedee with the fonts myself instead of using something that someone else had all the fun with, lol, just kidding. I do use alphas tho... often as elements rather than in words or as part of a body text like in a title. Maybe that would be a good practise next year: use more alphas.
I usually use the type tool and play with the fonts. On rare occasions, I use an alpha. But then I have to really like it a lot.
Hi Carole,
There are some really nice alpha's among them! Love the cookie one
Thank you al for your reactions. So far, fonts are it! Although sharing my alpha’s still would make some people happy, I think I am going to leave them for now. I have lots of other things to share, I’ll be fine
I've always loved alpha sets, but I use fonts a lot too. I just include them in most all of my kits, so the option is there for the layout artist, and I LOVE making them, it's a lot of fun, to me.
Hi Rachel,
I feel the same way, I love to create alphas. I always included at least one in my kits, fitting the colour scheme and theme of the kit. Selling them as just loose alphas is not really a market so I make wordart from them to give away here.
Have a great new years eve and a very happy and healthy new year!
Happy New Year to you too, Sonja!
I almost always just use the type tool. I do like alphas, but sometimes its a hassle, especially the ones people sell that are all on the same sheet. I don't like those lol. I just love fonts and the endless possibilities too!