Monumize

Monument font

Blackletter headstone font

ornate blackletter in the Old English tradition, for family names and headers.

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OCT. 9, 1941

SEPT. 18, 1955

About Blackletter

Blackletter is ornate lettering in the Old English tradition, used for family names and headers on many stones.

When to use Blackletter

  • Family surnames across the top of a stone
  • Matching existing Old English style lettering

When to avoid Blackletter

  • Dates and small text, which are hard to read in blackletter

Common pairings

Patterns that work when Blackletter appears alongside other lettering on the same stone:

  • Roman Serif — A Roman under a blackletter surname keeps the dates readable.

History and typographic context

UnifrakturCook is a free blackletter by j. ‘mach’ wust.

Frequently asked questions

Will it match the lettering already on the stone exactly?
Only if the stone was cut in a very similar style. Monumize compares the photo with every font it offers and tells you when the match is only the closest style. Always check the outline on your own photo, and the 1:1 PDF against the stone, before cutting.
Can I use UnifrakturCook for commercial cutting?
Yes. UnifrakturCook is published under the SIL Open Font License 1.1, which allows commercial use. The cut files you download are lettering outlines made with it.

Ready to see Blackletter on your stone?

Monument shops can upload a photo of the stone, match the lettering and see the new date outlined in Blackletter on a photo of the actual stone.