noun
( -s )
1. : the act or process of inscribing or marking with letters
taught herself lettering … and was promoted to the studio — Mademoiselle
specifically : the impressing of a title on the backbone of a book
2. : the letters or calligraphy used in an inscription
anthology shows examples of modern lettering as used in contemporary advertising — British Book News
lettering can be condensed, elongated, slanted … to fill any need — Harry Roth