Typophile

A timeless serif for a type tattoo

toucka

I'm getting a type themed tattoo done this year, but I'm still having problems finding the right font. The idea is basically to get latin phrases tattooed around both of my calves in capital letters. It would be easy just to pick one of my current favourite serif fonts, but since this one is for life I'd like to get something a bit more lasting.
I think I'm looking for something very classical and timeless, along the lines of Roman capitals. The problem is that when scaled small enough to be wrapped around my leg, most fonts simply arent tall enough to look good. I did a quick test using Trajan pro, but unfortunately the letters are a bit too wide for my skinny legs.
So... A good-looking, very classic font with "tall" caps and a timeless feel to it. Any ideas?

If you know a great font that might look good but doesn't match the keywords mentioned above, feel free to name it as well.

Thanks in advance!

Patrick Witmer

What about H&FJ‘s Requiem?

toucka

A nice font, I'm afraid it might have a bit too much contrast for this particular purpose. Since tattoos tend to spread over time, I'm trying to avoid thin lines as much as possible. Thanks anyway!

Basically I'm looking for a condensed version of Capitalis Monumentalis. I know this may sound like a bit of a wild goose chase, but I still like to think there's a perfect font somewhere just waiting to be found.

Mans

How about Jenson?

Or perhaps better: Pontif

Tiffany Wardle

How about Beata?
Or maybe use Andreas but have it filled in?

I know these aren't part of your brief, but wanting a narrow and classical form isn't, technically, possible.

Hrant H Papazian

If the text is long and your legs are skinny you're going to have a problem with any font; if you push too far it's going to be illegible and/or ugly. Have you considered doing a spiral so you can go around the leg(s) more than once without needing a left margin?

In any case, what about Rialto? It's classical but organic, and it has a special caption weight with reduced contrast. Note: not the Linotype font by that name - this one: http://typophile.com/node/66155

BTW, thin lines can work out:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zara/480177291/

hhp

Panda

I used Helvetica for a tatoo.

Panda

Oh, I forgot to add somthing to the comment of the tatoo spreading...

That depends on the quality of the ink and in the place where you are going to get your tatoo. For example: your leg's skin will remain the same size if you don't get fat.
I would never get a tatoo on belly :P

Riccardo Sartori

Have you considered doing a spiral

That sure would be in style! :-)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trajan's_Column

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