Once you can turn any picture into typed characters, the question becomes what to type. These ten ideas each pair a subject with the character set and font that suit it.

1. A portrait typed with their own name

Choose Your words, enter a name, and let it repeat across a portrait. It makes a personal gift that reads as a picture from far away and as a name up close. Try Courier Prime on white paper.

2. A pet in classic symbols

Animals with clear outlines and expressive faces suit the Classic set well. Special Elite adds a worn, characterful feel.

3. A wedding or anniversary poster

Type a couple's photo using a line from their vows instead of a name. Use aged paper and a sepia ribbon for a keepsake look.

4. A skyline or landmark

Buildings are made of strong lines, which typed characters render beautifully. Xs and Os or Punctuation give a crisp, architectural texture.

5. A red-and-black ribbon photo

Switch on the two-colour ribbon and warm reds in the picture, such as flowers, lips or sunsets, type in red while the rest stays black, just as on a real two-colour ribbon.

6. Numbers only, for a birthday or year

Type a portrait using only digits, or repeat a date on Your words. It makes a neat card or poster.

7. A typed video

Upload a short MP4, such as a pet, a dance or a sunrise timelapse, and Inkstrike types every frame. Choose 12 frames per second for a jerky, hand-made feel, or 24 for smoothness.

8. A typing animation of a favourite photo

Any photo can be exported as an animation that types itself one key at a time. It works well for intros and social posts.

9. A logo or drawing in one colour

Simple black-and-white artwork produces the cleanest results. Save it as an SVG, and the outlined letters can be scaled to any size for print.

10. Your own handwriting font

Upload a font you love, or one made from your own handwriting, and set the picture in it. Monospaced fonts keep the grid tidy, but any font can be used.

Start typing