Latex Lettrine Tips

Explanation of LaTeX Code for Fancy First Letters

This LaTeX code defines a custom command called \firstletter that creates a decorative dropped capital (or initial capital) at the beginning of chapters or sections using the lettrine package.

Breaking down the code:

\providecommand{\firstletter}[1]{%
  \lettrine[lines=2, lhang=0.05, loversize=0.1]{#1}{}%
}


• \providecommand: This defines a new command only if it doesn’t already exist. If \firstletter is already defined, this won’t override it.
• \firstletter[1]: Creates a command named \firstletter that takes one parameter (the letter to be styled).
• \lettrine[options]{letter}{text}: This is the command from the lettrine package that creates the fancy first letter effect.
• The options specified are:
  • lines=2: The large initial letter will span 2 lines of normal text
  • lhang=0.05: Sets the letter to hang to the left slightly (5% of its width)
  • loversize=0.1: Makes the letter 10% larger than the default size
• {#1}: The first parameter in the \lettrine command is the letter to be styled (whatever was passed to \firstletter)
• {}: The second parameter in \lettrine is left empty, meaning no text will follow the initial capital in the same special styling

Usage example:

\chapter{Introduction}
\firstletter{O}nce upon a time, there was a beautiful kingdom...


This would render “Once upon a time…” with a fancy dropped capital “O” spanning two lines.

Enhance your lettrines with decorative fonts, along with several attractive options.

Expanded Code with Font Selection

% Define a command for fancy first letter of chapters with font selection
\providecommand{\firstletter}[1]{%
  \lettrine[lines=2, lhang=0.05, loversize=0.1, font=\fontfamily{<fontcode>}\selectfont]{#1}{}%
}


The key addition is the font=\fontfamily{<fontcode>}\selectfont parameter, which lets you specify a different font for the dropped capital.

Specific Font Examples

Here are several decorative font options for your lettrines:

1. Uncial Font

\providecommand{\firstletter}[1]{%
  \lettrine[lines=2, lhang=0.05, loversize=0.1, font=\fontfamily{uncl}\selectfont]{#1}{}%
}


The Uncial font provides a medieval, manuscript-like appearance.

2. Calligraphic Font

\providecommand{\firstletter}[1]{%
  \lettrine[lines=2, lhang=0.05, loversize=0.1, font=\fontfamily{pzc}\selectfont]{#1}{}%
}


This uses Zapf Chancery, a flowing calligraphic font.

3. Decorative Gothic

\providecommand{\firstletter}[1]{%
  \lettrine[lines=2, lhang=0.05, loversize=0.1, font=\fontfamily{ygoth}\selectfont]{#1}{}%
}


A gothic-style font that gives a striking medieval appearance.

4. Old English Style

\providecommand{\firstletter}[1]{%
  \lettrine[lines=2, lhang=0.05, loversize=0.1, font=\fontfamily{yswab}\selectfont]{#1}{}%
}


Provides a blackletter/old English style.

Using Custom Fonts

For even more options, you can use custom fonts with the fontspec package in XeLaTeX or LuaLaTeX:

% In preamble
\usepackage{fontspec}
\newfontfamily\lettrinefont{Goudy Initialen}  % Or any decorative font installed on your system

% Then define the command
\providecommand{\firstletter}[1]{%
  \lettrine[lines=2, lhang=0.05, loversize=0.1, font=\lettrinefont]{#1}{}%
}


Making Font Packages Available

To use these fonts, you’ll need to include the appropriate packages:

% In your preamble
\usepackage{lettrine}       % Base package for drop caps
\usepackage{pzc}            % For Zapf Chancery
\usepackage{yfonts}         % For Gothic (ygoth) and Schwabacher (yswab)
\usepackage{uncial}         % For Uncial font


Color and Additional Styling

You can also add color to your lettrines:

\usepackage{xcolor}

\providecommand{\firstletter}[1]{%
  \lettrine[lines=2, lhang=0.05, loversize=0.1, 
            font=\fontfamily{pzc}\selectfont,
            textcolor=darkred]{#1}{}%
}


Complete Example

\documentclass{book}
\usepackage{lettrine}
\usepackage{pzc}
\usepackage{xcolor}

% Define a command for fancy calligraphic first letters in dark red
\providecommand{\firstletter}[1]{%
  \lettrine[lines=2, lhang=0.05, loversize=0.15, 
            font=\fontfamily{pzc}\selectfont,
            textcolor=darkred]{#1}{}%
}

\begin{document}
\chapter{Introduction}
\firstletter{O}nce upon a time, in a land far away, there lived a wise king...
\end{document}


Each of these font options creates a different mood and aesthetic for your document, from medieval to elegant to formal.

• #LaTeX
• #lettrine
• #typography
• #font
• #formatting
• #dropped_cap
• #initial_capital
• #decorative_fonts
• #xcolor
• #fontspec
• #Uncial
• #Calligraphic
• #Gothic
• #Old_English