Handwriting SVG Generator

Generate production-ready SVG files optimized for handwriting machines and plotters. This package converts text into single-stroke SVG paths with locked-in settings for consistent 5x7 card printing.

🚀 Features

- Single-stroke SVG generation - Optimized for pen plotters and handwriting machines
- Automatic text scriptalization - Converts regular text to handwritten-style characters via web service
- Locked-in settings - Pre-configured dimensions and offsets for reliable 5x7 card printing
- Two main functions - Generate cards (letters) and envelopes with proper addressing
- Special character handling - Automatic dot placement for letter "i" variants
- Line wrapping - Intelligent text fitting within specified dimensions

📦 Installation

``bash
npm install handwriting-svg-generator
`

🎯 Quick Start

`javascript
const { generateCardSvg, generateEnvelopeSvg } = require('handwriting-svg-generator');

// Generate a handwritten letter/card
async function createLetter() {
const letterText = Dear Friend,

I hope this letter finds you well.
I wanted to reach out and share some exciting news with you.

Best regards,
Mark;

const cardSvg = await generateCardSvg(letterText);
// Save cardSvg to file or send to plotter
}

// Generate a handwritten envelope
async function createEnvelope() {
const recipientAddress = [
"John Smith",
"123 Main Street",
"Anytown, CA 90210"
];

const senderAddress = [
"Mark Rieth",
"312 W. 2nd St. #2923",
"Casper, WY 82601"
];

const envelopeSvg = await generateEnvelopeSvg(recipientAddress, senderAddress);
// Save envelopeSvg to file or send to plotter
}
`

📖 API Reference

$3

Generates an SVG for a handwritten card/letter with automatic scriptalization.

Parameters:
- text (string) - The text content for the card. Supports newlines (\n) for line breaks.

Returns:
- Promise - Complete SVG markup ready for plotting

Example:
`javascript
const cardSvg = await generateCardSvg("Hello World!\n\nHow are you today?");
console.log(cardSvg); // `

$3

Generates an SVG for a handwritten envelope with proper address positioning.

Parameters:
- recipientAddress (string[]) - Array of address lines for the recipient (center-positioned)
- senderAddress (string[]) - Array of address lines for the sender (top-left positioned)

Returns:
- Promise - Complete SVG markup ready for plotting

Example:
`javascript
const envelopeSvg = await generateEnvelopeSvg(
["Jane Doe", "456 Oak Avenue", "Springfield, IL 62701"],
["John Smith", "123 Main St", "Anytown, CA 90210"]
);
`

⚙️ Technical Specifications

$3

| Setting | Value | Purpose |
|---------|-------|---------|
| Card Dimensions | 653×473 points | Scaled 25% larger for printer compensation |
| Envelope Dimensions | 653×473 points | Scaled 25% larger for printer compensation |
| Card Font Size | 35pt | Optimized for readability on 5x7 cards |
| Envelope Font Size | 38pt | Slightly larger for address visibility |
| X Offset | 36pt (0.5 inches) | Left margin for printer alignment |
| Y Offset | 18pt (0.25 inches) | Top margin for consistent positioning |
| Line Spacing | 1.2x (cards), 1.0x (envelopes) | Optimized spacing for readability |

$3

- Font: PremiumUltra80SL.ttf (included with package)
- Scriptalization: Automatic conversion via Scriptalizer web service
- Path Type: Single-stroke SVG paths (no filled shapes)
- Special Handling: Automatic dot placement for letter "i" variants

🎨 Output Examples

$3


`xml







`

$3

- Sender Address: Top-left corner (20pt + X offset from edges)
- Recipient Address: Centered horizontally and vertically
- Consistent Spacing: Each line spaced by font size × line spacing

🔧 Usage Patterns

$3

`javascript
const { generateCardSvg } = require('handwriting-svg-generator');

async function generatePersonalNote() {
const message = Dear Sarah,

Thank you so much for the wonderful dinner last night.
The conversation was delightful and the food was incredible.

I look forward to our next get-together.

Warm regards,
Michael;

const svg = await generateCardSvg(message);

// Save to file
const fs = require('fs');
fs.writeFileSync('personal-note.svg', svg);
}
`

$3


`javascript
const { generateEnvelopeSvg } = require('handwriting-svg-generator');

async function generateEnvelopes() {
const contacts = [
{ name: "Alice Johnson", address: ["123 Pine St", "Boston, MA 02101"] },
{ name: "Bob Wilson", address: ["456 Oak Ave", "Seattle, WA 98101"] },
{ name: "Carol Brown", address: ["789 Elm Blvd", "Austin, TX 73301"] }
];

const sender = ["Your Name", "123 Your Street", "Your City, ST 12345"];

for (const [index, contact] of contacts.entries()) {
const recipient = [contact.name, ...contact.address];
const envelopeSvg = await generateEnvelopeSvg(recipient, sender);

const fs = require('fs');
fs.writeFileSync(envelope-${index + 1}.svg, envelopeSvg);
}
}
`

$3


`javascript
const { generateCardSvg } = require('handwriting-svg-generator');

async function sendToPlotter(plotterAPI) {
const cardText = "Happy Birthday!\n\nHope your day is wonderful!";
const svg = await generateCardSvg(cardText);

// Send to plotter with specific settings
await plotterAPI.plot({
svg: svg,
xPadding: 1, // inch
yPadding: 0.5, // inch
scale: 1,
rotation: 0
});
}
`

🧪 Testing

Run the comprehensive test suite:

`bash
npm test
`

Tests include:
- ✅ Scriptalizer functionality
- ✅ Card SVG generation
- ✅ Envelope SVG generation
- ✅ Edge cases and error handling
- ✅ SVG structure validation
- ✅ Dimension verification

🔍 Troubleshooting

$3

Issue: "Scriptalizer timeout" or puppeteer errors
`
Solution: Ensure you have a stable internet connection.
The scriptalization requires access to scriptalizer.co.uk
`

Issue: Generated SVG appears too large/small on plotter
`
Solution: The package uses locked-in scaling (25% larger than A7).
This compensates for printer scaling. Use scale: 1 in your plotter API.
`

Issue: Text wrapping incorrectly
`
Solution: The package automatically wraps text based on character width.
If you need different wrapping, consider pre-formatting your text with \n breaks.
`

Issue: Special characters not rendering
`
Solution: The package handles most text automatically via scriptalization.
Very special characters may need to be avoided or pre-converted.
`

$3

For debugging, you can import the scriptalizer directly:

`javascript
const { scriptalizeText } = require('handwriting-svg-generator/dist/scriptalizer');

async function debugScriptalization() {
const original = "Hello World";
const scriptalized = await scriptalizeText(original, 35);
console.log("${original}" → "${scriptalized}");
}
`

📋 Requirements

- Node.js: 14.0 or higher
- Internet Access: Required for scriptalization web service
- Memory: ~50MB for Puppeteer browser instance

🤝 Contributing

This package uses locked-in settings optimized for specific printing requirements.

If you need different settings, consider:
1. Forking the package for your specific use case
2. Creating wrapper functions that modify the output
3. Using the source functions as reference for your own implementation

📄 License

ISC

🏷️ Keywords

svg handwriting plotter 5x7 cards scriptalization single-stroke pen-plotter cnc drawing-machine`

---

Note: This package was designed for specific printing requirements with carefully tuned parameters. The locked-in settings ensure consistent results for 5x7 card production. For other use cases, you may need to modify the source code or use different packages.