3.

LETTERING
3.1. Introduction
Since every drawing has to be titled and dimensioned, particularly working or production
drawings, therefore, it is very important that this information must be presented by lettering in
order that they can be clearly understood.
Lettering is the term used in drawing to mean the process of writing titles, dimension, descriptive
notes, and graphical symbols.
Graphical symbols include North arrows, graphic scales, dimension lines and section arrows.
➢ As technician or an engineer to be, it is also very important at early stages of training to
acquire as quickly as possible the habit of excellent practice in lettering on all drawing
works.
➢ Technical lettering is the process of forming letters, numerals, and
other characters in technical drawing. It is used to describe, or provide detailed specifications
for, an object. With the goals of legibility and uniformity, styles are standardized and
lettering ability has little relationship to normal writing ability.
➢ Engineering drawings use a Gothic sans-serif script, formed by a series of short strokes.
Lower case letters are rare in most drawings of machines.

3.2. Aim
The purpose of adding lettering is to make the drawing of object or building more clearly during
the process of making or constructing it.
➢ Faulty or poor quality of lettering and dimensioning will at best spoil the appearance of the
drawing and worst, lead to mistake during the site operation.

3.3. Methods used in forming lettering

Four common methods applied in lettering are hand lettering, stencil lettering, typewriting and
letraset.
(a) Freehand lettering
This is the fastest method for lettering text/dimension on drawing and it adds personality to the
presentation. It is free hand lettering and most draftsmen or architects use this method. Freehand

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lettering is done without the assistance of tools. To regulate lettering height, commonly 3 mm
(1⁄8-in), guidelines are drawn.
There are many well-designed alphabets and typefaces which exist in practice. Everyone can
develop his/her self-style of handwriting but the most important characteristic of any lettering
style are proportionality, readability and consistency in both shape and spacing.
➢ In order to be smart and perfect in hand lettering, it is therefore insisted to spend enough time
(if not daily) to practice or train so as develop the selected style.
➢ The letters to be drawn, though freehanded, should be stable and graceful. In some cases,
stability is impossible; for example, P and F are unavoidably top-heavy. In other cases, the
stability and grace of the letters may be maintained either by drawing the lower parts of the
letters like B, E etc. wider than the upper parts, or by drawing the horizontal line at the center
of these letters just above their geometric axis. (Exception: In case of the letter A, the
horizontal member is drawn below the geometric center, to maintain equality of areas below
and above the center line. If a horizontal line is drawn exactly at the center, then the
difference in the areas of the triangle above the line and the trapezium below the line is much
larger. This creates an unusual effect to our eyes.)
➢ Emphasis should be on the overall beauty of a word, rather than individual letters.
Most freehand lettering is done in a "gothic" style, i.e., with a constant line thickness; either
"straight gothic", with vertical strokes perpendicular to the baseline, or "inclined gothic", with
vertical strokes at about 75°.

(b) Mechanical lettering is done using tools such as lettering guides and lettering stencil.
Lettering stencil
It is also common, quick and simple but it should be used with the correct type and size of ink
pen and letter spacing.

(c) Typewriting lettering

In this method, the typewriting machine (typewriter) is used directly in lettering on drawings
presented on paper of A4 or A5 size.
For larger drawings than typewriter, there exist soft special self-adhesive transparent papers
which are used in typewriter and then glued to the drawing.

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Modern drawings are lettered with computer-aided design software.

(d) Letraset lettering

The ready printed letters are transferred from a sheet with the whole alphabet to the drawing.
It is available in many sizes and very useful for headings on drawings used for exhibition or
publications.
The letraset lettering is expensive and the process is quite difficult and requires some experience.

3.4. Principle of lettering

3.4.1. Legibility
Legibility (uniformity) of lettering depends on
➢ Shape or form of each individual letter,
➢ Spacing of letters and arrangement of words,
➢ The size and position of lettering according to relative importance.
3.4.2. Suitability
The suitability of shape to materials and method of execution, thus lettering drawn in pencil on
paper differs in form to some extent from lettering incised in stone.
3.4.3. The character
The character of letterings must be appropriate to its purpose. Decorative lettering is completely
out of place on working drawing, just as crude stencil lettering would be on a highly finished
perspective drawing.

3.5. Uniformity of lettering

Generally, the uniformity of lettering is kept by ensuring that the following points are adhered to:
3.5.1. Sizes
(i) Height: The recommended or common height of lettering is 3mm.
(ii) Width: To be as height of letters.
(iii) Thickness: Governed by the size of lettering pen/pencil point.
3.5.2. Space:
(i) Between letters = almost touching unless otherwise.
(ii) Between words = twice the space between letters.

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(iii) Between line of words/sentence = height of letters

Examples

3.5.3. Straightness: The straightness of a sentence is controlled by guidelines.

3.5.4. Slope: Use upright (900) or inclined at 750 to horizontal line.
3.5.5. Style/shape:
The recommended style/shape of lettering in drawing is of the commercial gothic types of letters
and numerals due to its simplicity, legibility and easiness to letter. The commercial gothic letters
are as follows:
Letters: ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
Numerals: 0123456789

▪ Do not use different style on the same drawing.

▪ Individual style is permissible, i.e. you can develop your own style but it must base on style
and shape of commercial gothic letters.
▪ Decorative style of letters is completely not used in drawing.

3.5.6. Strokes:
There are two strokes; single and double strokes. Always use single stroke in lettering.

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3.5.7. Colours:
Do not mix the colours, say ink and pencil colour in the same drawing.
▪ For engineering drawing test and examination, use blue or black ink colour for writing
explanations answers and pencil colour for drawing and lettering.

3.6. Types of letters

Writing is a sort of ‘language of signs’ and it gives meaning/information. About 5000 years ago
people in Egypt, China and Mesopotamia wrote down their information using signs and symbols.
Later on, these signs and symbols changed to letters and numerals which again have been
modified up to the present day types as follows.
3.6.1. The Roman alphabet
This is the alphabet in history, which the modern lettering is derived from and generally accepted
as standard lettering. It was carved on Trajan’s Column, Rome in the 2nd century A.D.
The Roman alphabet is always the basis of good lettering
▪ But has letters with serifs
▪ Given in double stroke only of varying thickness.
▪ Are not suitable for ordinary draughting purposes
▪ Need to be studied carefully by lettering in basic proportion
▪ ABCDEFGHIGKLMNOPQRSTUVWXZ
▪ 0123456789

ABCDEFGHIGKLMNOPQRSTUVWXZ
0123456789

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 Fig. 2.1: Roman alphabets

3.6.2. Sans serif letters

These are also the Roman type of letters
▪ But without serifs
▪ Formed by single or double strokes of equal in thickness and height

3.7. Points to remember in lettering

(a) Always use and letter between light guidelines, as shown in Fig. 2.
(b) Guidelines are faint lines, used to maintain uniform height and the proper spacing between
line of sentence/letterings
(c) Letter freehand but take enough time to letter carefully.
(d) Always use capital letters, lower case (small) letters are also used when long notes are
necessary especially in case of map drawing.
(e) Do not attempt to erase guidelines after lettering has been completed
(f) Leave sufficient space between words
(g) Letter of words should almost touch each other or otherwise depend on the space available
and its purpose
(h) Leave space between line of sentences equal to the height of letters that form the note
(i) Do not refer the lettering as writing or printing.
(j) Full stops should not be used unless it is essential to the essence of the note.
(k) Notes should be placed so that they can be read in the same direction as the title block and
from right hand edge after being rotated as the bottom edge of the paper.

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(l) All notes which accompany the drawing should be lettered close to or alongside the part of
the figure to which they refer. It is preferred that the name of the figure drawn should be
lettered close but at the bottom of it.

EXERCISES IN LETTERING
Make practices in lettering as shown below. Use 3mm high

Capline
Waist line

Middle line
Base line
Drop line
Fig. 2.4: Parts of guide lines

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Page 8 of 31
3.8. DIMENSIONING
3.8.1. Definition
- Dimensioning is the process of indicating measurements or sizes of cylindrical or non-
cylindrical objects drawn on a paper.
- Sizes of an object can be the length, width, depth or thickness, etc.

3.8.2. Types
(a) Overall dimensions
- Indicates the over-all length, width or height of an object, (Fig. 2.5).
- Every object, regardless of its shape has three overall dimensions; these are length, width
and thickness or breadth.

(b) Detail dimensions

- Indicates the size of feature or detailed part other than its total length, height, (Fig. 2.5).
Note that overall or detail dimensions can be referred to either as the horizontal, vertical or
inclined dimensions.

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Fig. 2.5: Types of dimensions

3.8.3. Lines and symbols

(a) Extension or Projection line
This line is thin, black, solid and continuous line and it is drawn such that it
- Extend or project the contours of an object to convenient place on drawing for
dimensioning purposes (Fig. 2.6).
- Shows the start and end point of dimension figure in the object.
- Begin by leaving a gap of about 1mm or 2mm from the outline of the drawing (object)
and end about 1mm or 2mm beyond the dimension line.
- Its length is governed by the distance from the object to dimension line.
- Makes 900 to the outline, surface or recess of the view to be dimensioned.

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(b) Dimension line
- This line is thin, black, solid and continuous line and it is drawn such that it:
- Is placed at least 10mm from the object and spaced at least 10mm between consecutive or
parallel dimension lines.
- Span the distance between pairs of extension line, (Fig. 2.6)
- Is parallel to the outline of the object to be dimensioned
- Makes 900 to the extension line
- Terminate with arrowheads, slash or dot at both ends in exact point of contact with
extension line
- Does not break or leave a gap along the dimension line for lettering the dimension figure.

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Fig. 2.6: Projection line, Dimension line, Outline and Dimension figure

(c) Dimension figure

- Is the numerical or number whish shows the size or measurement of an object
- Lettered on top (close or almost touching) of dimension line, (Fig. 2.6)
- Light Guidelines for lettering the dimension figure are always drawn parallel to the
dimension line.
- Positioned at the mid length of dimension line or centrally between the extension lines.
- For vertical dimension, letter the dimension figure such that it is read after turning the
drawing paper clockwise through a right angle.
- Do not add the unit of measurement after lettering the dimension figure (letter the
dimension figure without adding the unit of measurement)
- When the space for lettering the dimension figure is small, select the preferred
alternatives as shown in Fig. 2.7.

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 - Place the following letters or symbols before the dimension figure:
 for diameter such as 60, which refers to the diameter of 60mm
R for radius such as R30, which refers to the radius of 30mm

(a) Horizontal dimensioning in small space

(b) Vertical dimensioning in small space

(c) Inclined dimensioning in small space

Fig. 2.7: Dimensioning on space that is too small

(d) Leader
- It is a special dimension line when it connects with the dimension figure and straight line
when connecting notation, note or other information added as description to the part or
detail of the drawing.
- Used principally to dimension arcs and cylindrical holes and other features of an object.
(Fig. 2.8).

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 - Thin, black, solid and continuous line
- Drawn from a note to the object where it applies
- Begin by either arrowhead or dot at one end only and terminate the other end by short
and horizontal bar of about 4mm long
➢ Arrowhead should begin at a line of the object
➢ dot should begin within the outline of an object

Fig. 2.8: A leader

(e) Termination of dimension line

(f) The dimension line must end at exact point of contact with extension line by using either of
the following (Arrowhead, Slash or Dot) termination techniques, (Fig. 2.9).

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Fig. 2.9: Arrowhead, Slash and Dot

(g) Arrowheads
- It is slim, thin, black, solid, continuous and neat drawn at each end of dimension line,
(Fig. 2.10)
- Drawn at the exact point of contact between projection line and dimension line
- For small space, place the arrowhead outside the extension line
- The size of arrowhead is about 4mm long by 1mm thick from the extension line
- Three types are open, closed and solid.

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Fig. 2.10: Types and preferred sizes of arrowheads

3.8.4. Steps in dimensioning

Dimensioning for all types of objects should not be started until the finished line-work of all
views has been completed.
3.8.4.1. Dimensioning non cylindrical objects (object having length, width and breadth)
(a) Lightly draw all extension and dimension lines.
- Dimension lines are placed at least 10mm from the outline (view).
- Leave space of at least 10mm between adjacent or parallel dimension lines.
(b) Lightly draw all guide lines for dimension figure.
(c) Neatly letter all dimension figures.
(d) Complete all extension and dimension lines.
- Extension and dimension line are drawn thin, black and solid.
- Extension lines begin by leaving a gap of about 1mm or 2mm from a view and end
about 1mm or 2mm beyond a dimension line.

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(e) Place slim, neat arrowheads on each dimension line.
- Arrowheads must touch extension line.

3.8.4.2. Dimensioning Cylindrical objects

(a) Lightly draw all extension and dimension lines using whatever centre lines are necessary as
extension lines, (Fig. 2.11).
• Dimension lines are placed at least 10mm from a view.
• Leave at least 10mm between adjacent, parallel dimension lines.
(b) Lightly draw all guide lines for dimension figures.

Fig. 2.11: Dimensioning cylindrical objects

(c) Neatly letter all dimension figures.

(d) Complete all extension lines, dimension lines and centre lines
• Extension lines, dimension lines and centre lines are drawn thin, black.
• Extension lines begin about 2mm from a view and ends about 2mm beyond a dimension
line.
• A centre line when used as an extension line, also ends about 2mm beyond a dimension
line
(e) Place slim, neat arrowheads on each dimension line.
- Arrowhead must touch the extension lines and centre lines where necessary
3.8.5. Alternative for dimensioning angles
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 Fig. 2.12: Preferred methods for dimensioning angles

3.8.6. Points to remember in dimensioning cylindrical objects

(a) Dimensions that indicate the diameter of exterior, cylindrical features are shown on the
front
(b) Objects that have one or more exterior, semi-cylindrical features automatically have one
or more overall dimensions eliminated.
(c) Cylindrical holes are dimensioned on the view where they appear as circles.
(d) Cylindrical features are located by dimensioning to their centres.
Other important Instructions
􀂃 Use construction lines while drawing the objects and do not erase these lines
􀂃 Dimensioning of object is most important;
􀂃 Follow the dimensioning as per standards; Carries good proportion of marks
􀂃 Complete the title box with all relevant information
􀂃 Use correct pencil for drawing various lines/objects
􀂃 Present the drawings by maintaining cleanliness
􀂃 Use one side of the drawing sheet, unless state otherwise.
PS: In any labelled sketch or drawing, the ARROWHEADS SHOULD
ALWAYS POINT TOWARDS the OBJECT and not the label.

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3.8.7. Exercises
1. What is exact purpose of a leader?
2. List four important points to keep in mind when drawing a leader
3. At what angle is a leader drawn when it is used to dimension a 900 arc?

3.8.8. Class exercises in lettering

Instructions:
1. Exercise to be done in two days only (21/12/2020 and 22/12/2020)
2. Make sure you fill a single page after framing the title block as usual
3. Five marks will be given in each question to the one who followed instructions
correctly and maintained uniformity

Question one (05 marks)

Make practices in lettering as shown below on A4 size of a paper. Use lettering of 3mm high

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Page 20 of 31
Question two
By using upright or inclined type of uppercase letterings, letter each of the following given
important points of lettering as applied in engineering drawing. (05 marks)
a) Lettering names, main titles, subtitles and notes
(i) Lettering means presenting letters and numerals on drawing. The lettering used on
Engineering drawings is called single stroke, commercial gothic. It is a style of lettering
that is very easy to letter and read. Do not refer to “lettering” as “writing” or “printing”.
The lettering on most engineering drawings is done freehand. All beginners must make
practice from the given sample of letters and numerals so as to become familiar with their
construction and letter the same appearance, shape or style as that of given samples of
letters and numerals.
(ii) Always start by pressing the pencil lightly on a paper while drawing the light guide lines
or faint guide lines for maintaining a uniform height and the proper spacing between lines
of lettering. Do not attempt to erase guide lines after lettering has been completed.
(iii)Letter freehand. Always use capital letters. Press the pencil firmly so that letters can be
easily seen and read.
(iv) Make letters and numerals as wide as high in size with the individual letters of words
almost touching in spacing. The letters M and W are often made slightly wider than they
are high. The letter I and figure I, of course, consist of only a single stroke.
(v) Spacing between words is a matter of judgment; otherwise, it is twice of spacing between
letters. Spacing between words is done for easy reading. Lines of lettering that form part
of note should be spaced the same distance apart as the letters are high.

b) Dimensioning cylindrical and non-cylindrical objects

(i) Do not dimension a drawing haphazardly, instead, dimension a drawing in a manner that
it makes easy to read and understand. Dimension obviously identical features only once.
(ii) Every object, regardless of its shape has three over-all dimensions. An over-all dimension
indicates the over-all length, width or height of an object while detail dimension is one
that provides size or location information concerning feature or detail of an object other
than its overall length, width or height. Draw detail dimension lines in a single straight
line. Hence Engineering drawings should be dimensioned in a manner that makes it

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 unnecessary to calculate any required size information during the construction,
manufacturing or making the object on site.
(iii)Extension line, dimension line and a leader is drawn such that it is thin, black (solid) and
continuous lines while object line is a thick (black) line. Extension lines always leaves a
gap or begin about 2mm from the object or feature being dimensioned and extend about
2mm beyond the dimension line. Do not break the extension line and do not allow
extension lines to hang in mid-air. Draw the dimension line such that it is parallel to the
object line to be dimensioned. The dimension lines are always drawn at least 10mm from
the object and are always spaced at least 10mm between adjacent or parallel dimension
lines. Leaders are special dimension line with arrow-head at one end that are principally
used to dimension arcs and cylindrical objects.
(iv) Always letter the dimension figure at or about 1mm above the dimension line. Letter the
dimension figure where the shape is shown most clearly. Unless otherwise indicated, the
dimensioning units used on metric engineering drawings are assumed to be in
millimeters. Always letter the full-size dimensions (actual size) of an object regardless of
the scale to which a drawing has been prepared. Dimension angles according to their
position and size.

Question three (05 marks)

(i) Make a practice in drawing arrow head of 1mm thick by 8mm long as shown below

(ii) By using different figures, show how to use the extension line, dimension line, dimension
figure and leader in dimensioning them.

All the best

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Page 23 of 31
 4. SCALES
4.1. Introduction
The scale is a measuring instrument used in drawing.
This instrument has narrow strips of either white/yellow wood, metal or plastic with division
along its edge, usually on both sides/edges. These divisions are in various recognized proportion
to actual distances or dimensions.

It can also be defined as the ratio of the drawing size presented on a standard-size of drawing
paper to the actual or real object size. When the size of the real object is larger/smaller than the
drawing paper size, then the scale is used to reduce/enlarge its drawing to fit on a paper.

4.2. Uses
Scales are used for making new drawings to scale or for measuring existing drawings by scaling.

4.3. Style
Scales are available in flat, oval or triangular in section and are usually 150mm or 300mm long.
The longer is more convenient in use but also the shorter can be easily carried in the pocket.
Scales are best if oval in section because it tapers to a thin edge and therefore can be brought
close to the surface of the paper while marking off for measurements. The triangular scale is the
one most commonly used in engineering and architectural drawing.

4.4. Scale designation

The scale designation is the “Drawing size:Real object size”.
Drawing size refers to the size or length of a line of an object drawn on a paper, while the object
size refers to the dimension of actual/real object on site/field.

Scale 1:100, Read as scale of “one to a hundred”, means that the length of line equal to 1mm
on a drawing paper represent 100mm length of actual object on site/field.
Scale 1:2 Read as scale of “one to two”, means that the line of 1mm long on a drawing
paper represent the size of actual object of 2mm long.
Scale 1:5 Read as scale of “one to five”, means that the line of 1mm long on a drawing
paper represent the size of actual object of 5mm long.

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Scale 2:1 Read as scale of “two to one”, means that the line of 2mm long on a drawing
paper represent the size of actual object of 1mm long.
4.5. Units of measurement in scaled drawing
When metric units of measurement are used on engineering drawings, they are assumed to be in
millimetres, abbreviated as “mm” unless it is stated otherwise.
In practice the symbol “mm” is omitted and only a number (dimension figure) is lettered, but it
must be stated in the title block that “All measurements are in millimetre” or other selected unit.
In addition to this, the user of drawing must be familiar with the form of lettering the “dimension
figure” in relationship to different units. For example, if length of line on drawing is written as:
(a) 1000, this means that it is 1000mm.
(b) 1.000, mean 1m.
(c) 23. 800 mean 23m and 800mm, etc.

4.6. Scale indication

(a) The scale should be indicated on the appropriate place in the title block.
(b) When different views are drawn on one sheet to different scales, then the relevant scale
should be stated or shown under each view.

4.7. Types
The following are the three types of scales grouped according to their application.

4.7.1. Full size scale

This scale is used when the drawing is to be measured the size as the actual object.
It is recorded as scale 1:1
Two situations in which the full size scale can not be used are:
• When the object is too large to fit on a paper and therefore the actual object has to be reduced
in size until it fits on paper.
• When the real object is too small to read its drawing and therefore the real object size has to be
enlarged to a readable drawing size.

4.7.2. Enlarged scale

The drawing is made larger than the actual object size.
Used when the object is too small to be drawn to full size scale
Some of enlarged scales are 2:1, 2.5:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 10:1, 20:1, 40:1, 50:1, etc.

4.7.3. Reduced scale

The drawing is drawn much smaller in size the actual object size
Used when the object is too large to be drawn to full size on a paper.
The commonly used reduced scales are 1:2, 1:2.5, 1:3, 1:4, 1:5, 1:10, 1:15, 1:20, 1:25, 1:50, 1:75,
1:100, 1:200, 1:500, 1: 1000, 1: 5000, etc.

4.8. Choice of scale

Factors which affect the choice of scales depends on the:
(a) Size of an object
(b) Size of the drawing paper
(c) Purpose of drawing

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4.9. Recommended scale
(a) Floor plan, elevations and section: 1:50, 1:100 and 1:200.
(b) Site plan and block plan: 1:200, 1:500, 1:1250, and 1:2500.
(c) Detail drawing: 1:1, 1:2, 1:2.5, 1:5, 1:10, 1:15, 1:20 and 1:25.

4.10. Representative fraction (RF)

This is the ratio of the drawing size to the object size.
For example: 1:100 has RF of 1/100.

4.11. Classification of scales

Scales may also be divided into categories based to the way they are made or used, such as: Plain
scale, Diagonal scale, Scale of chords, Isometric scale, Veneer scale, etc.

4.12. Points to remember in using scales

(a) The scale to be used is selected by the person doing the drawing
(b) Keep the pencil sharp in order to make accurate measurements
(c) Measure accurately, exact and not by approximation
(d) Use light inconspicuous mark to record measurements on the drawing paper
(e) Make measurements along existing lines when possible
(f) Although the drawing is drawn to scale, the dimensions shown on it must be the true size of
real object and not the length of line. For example, with scale of 1:100 the line of length
equal to 30mm must be lettered as “3000” (3m of real object size).
(g) If the scale does not contain the scale chosen, make a simple calculation to obtain the correct
dimension by either multiplying or dividing the figures on the scale by ten, e.g. Use 1:20
scale as 1:2 and vice versa.
(h) Do not rule lines with the scale.
(i) Ruler is a straight piece of wood, metal or plastic which is used for ruling lines
(j) Angular dimensions remain the same regardless of the scale to which an object is drawn

4.13. Practice in Scale

(a) How many millimetres are there in a centimetre?
(b) How many centimetres are there in a metre?
(c) How many millimetres are there in a metre?
(d) How many millimetres are there in a kilometre?
(e) What metric units of measurement are assumed to be used on engineering drawing unless it
is stated otherwise?
(f) What is meant when it is stated that an object is drawn to scale?
(g) Why are objects drawn to reduced or enlarged scales?
(h) List the names of three items that would have to be drawn to a
(i) Reduced scale (ii) Enlarged scale.
(i) Interpret the following scale designations:
(i) Scale 10:1 (ii) Scale 1:10
(j) An object is drawn to a scale of 1:5. Its actual length, width and height are 350, 290 and
180mm respectively. What is the length, width and height dimension of the object on the
drawing paper?

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(k) An object has the following dimensions 600mm, 390mm, 265mm, 55mm, 900 and 300. If the
object is drawn to a scale of 1:20, what sizes are used to represent these dimensions on the
drawing paper?
(l) A dimension of an object is 242.5mm. On the drawing paper the dimension is represented by
48.5mm. To what scale has the object been drawn?
(m) A dimension of an object is 8.4mm. On the drawing paper the dimension is represented by
168mm. To what scale has the object been drawn?

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 5. LAYOUT OF DRAWING PAPER
5.1. Introduction
This is done after the completion of the sketch representing the requirements of the client.
- Facilitate the:
✓ Reading of drawing
✓ Essential reference to be located easily especially when drawings are presented by
several offices.
- Procedures:
✓ Prepare the drawing equipment and materials,
✓ Fix the drawing paper onto the board.
✓ Draw the margin, title block and end-up with object i.e. plan, elevations and section.
❖ The top long edge of the paper should be exactly parallel to the top edge of the board, or use
straightedge or T-square to ensure that the drawing paper is properly fixed horizontally.

5.2. Margin or border

- Thick, black and continuous line.
- Drawn at a distance ranging between 10mm and 15mm from the edge all around the trimmed
sheet/paper except on the left side of the sheet where should be drawn at a distance ranging
between 20mm and 30mm from the edge of the drawing paper.
- Its functions:
- Indicates the boundary of the drawing area
- Enables prints to be trimmed or to allow for further trimming if necessary
- Helps in putting together a loosely composed sheet
- Aid for filing drawing

5.3. Title block

A small rectangular frame which has the same line as that of margin
Four parts or information to be included in the title block are:
- The title of the drawings (elevation, section, details, etc)
- Job of the drawing (residential, hospital, hotel, coffee table, etc)
- Address of the client/owner, designer, architect or draughtsman and approval man.
- Date, Scale, Drawing number and descriptive notes or specification.

5.4. Positioning of the title block

There are many styles of positioning the title block in general use but the recommended one is
that which is drawn horizontally or vertically.
Horizontal title block
- This is drawn such that it is spreader throughout along the bottom of the drawing paper, (Fig,
3.1).
Vertical title block
- This is drawn in a group on the bottom right side corner of the drawing sheet but vertically,
(Fig 3.2).

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5.5. Positioning of the drawing
One sheet of drawing may contain a single or number of views. Regardless of the number of
drawings to be placed on a single sheet, their arrangement is governed by:
• The overall size of the component,
• Size of drawing sheet and
• Scale to be used.
Care should be taken to arrange the views on the paper such that there is enough space left for
lettering a note, the name of the figure and dimensions, and also with sufficient space around the
views to prevent drawing looking crowded.

If it is possible, position your drawings such that they make the maximum use of the available
space by making simple calculation. For example, assuming that the size of a cement concrete
block is given as follows and it is required to draw only three elevations:
A = the maximum length
B = the maximum width
C = the maximum breadth
p = the horizontal space between the three elevations to be drawn
q = the vertical space between the elevation to the margin is to be equal
X and Y = the (horizontal) length and (vertical) width respectively of the space for drawing
(excluding the title block).

x − ( A + B)
p
3
y − ( B + C + p)
q
2
It is not necessary to use exact figures for dimensions A, B, and C but they should be
approximated so that the calculations are simplified.

Fig. 4.3(a): Pictorial View of Cement concrete block

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 Margin

Front elevation Left side elevation

Plan

Fig. 4.3(b): Position/arrangement of orthographic views of cement concrete block

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