Someone who engrosses formal documents is known as an engrosser. Deeds, citations, diplomas, degrees, contracts, public records, and other similar documents fall into this category. Engrossers work in a variety of settings, and their work increasingly includes the development of fonts that can be used to generate such documents on a computer, as the demand for handwritten documents declines. However, there are still situations where a document must be written hand or where a traditional lettered document is desired.
Engrossers can learn their craft at an art school or shadowing an engrosser in the field. This job necessitates excellent handwriting and the ability to write in a neat, clear, and consistent manner. Copperplate and gothic scripts are two traditional script styles for handwritten documents, and an engrosser may be familiar with several of them so that she or he can write documents in different styles for different clients. Engrossers can use a variety of writing instruments, such as fountain pens and quills, to complete their work.
The engrosser is not in charge of writing the document’s language. She or he simply copies the text that a client has provided. Engrossers take great care to avoid mistakes, and they usually proof the document before starting work to look for obvious typographical errors and syntax issues. If issues are discovered, they are brought to the client’s attention so that the client can correct them or confirm that something that appears to be an error is actually correct.
These illuminators can also work as lettering professionals. Illuminators embellish written works with decorative elements. Flourishes, borders, sidebars, and other elements are examples. Illumination is a difficult art that can be done on documents prepared others or added personally after an engrosser has completed his or her work. Engrossers and illuminators can also generate blanks that can be filled in with relevant information someone else.
Engrossers have a variety of job opportunities. It is usually necessary to have a portfolio of work to work as an engrosser. Original copies of practice pieces done to develop and showcase skill, as well as replications of documents prepared for clients, are examples of this. Because engrossers work with sensitive material on occasion, they must either obtain permission from clients to use a piece in a portfolio or stick to public records that are not considered private when putting together a portfolio.