How to Create Fan Letters: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners | PixHub
Step-by-step guide to creating fan character designs. Learn how to input text, choose fonts, select colors, adjust borders, and download print-ready files for concerts and sports events.
Creating fan character designs on PixHub is simple and requires no design experience. The entire process takes 5–10 minutes: open the create page, type your message, choose a font, select colors, and download. This guide walks you through each step with specific recommendations for character size, font selection, and color combinations. Whether you're making your first fan design or your tenth, understanding the fundamentals ensures your text remains readable from 10–30+ meters away in a concert venue or sports stadium.
## Step 1: Access the Create Page Navigate to the PixHub create page using any web browser—smartphone, tablet, or desktop. The tool works entirely in your browser with no app installation required. Your browser automatically saves your recent designs in local storage, so you can return and edit them later. No account or login is needed. The create interface displays your design preview on the left (or top on mobile) and controls on the right. Start immediately: the blank canvas waits for your text input.
## Step 2: Input Your Text In the text input box labeled "応援文字" (fan characters), type your message. You can enter 1–64 characters in any combination of hiragana (ひらがな), katakana (カタカナ), kanji (漢字), alphanumeric characters (A–Z, 0–9), spaces, hyphens, or underscores. Examples: 「推し」（2 characters, easy to read from distance）、「大好き」（3 characters, warm and clear）、「FIGHT」（5 letters, bold English). Avoid unsupported symbols or emoji—the tool will display an error if a character isn't supported. Your preview updates in real-time as you type. If you make a mistake, simply delete and re-enter. Once you've typed your message, move to font selection.
## Step 3: Choose Your Font PixHub offers multiple font categories to suit different moods and member aesthetics. Under the "フォント" (font) section, browse options across four categories: Gothic (clean, readable, professional—best for long distances), Rounded Gothic (friendly, modern, cute—slightly softer than Gothic), Serif (classic, elegant, formal—use only for short text like names), and Handwritten (playful, personal, expressive—adds character but requires careful size management). Each font displays a specimen showing how your typed text looks. For maximum readability at 10+ meters, Gothic fonts are the safest choice—they maintain clarity even when printed small or viewed from far. Rounded Gothic works well for 3–4 character designs. Serif and Handwritten fonts are more visually interesting but sacrifice legibility over distance; use these only if your characters number 1–3 and your font size is 7cm or larger. For detailed font comparisons and recommendations, see the Font Guide.
## Step 4: Select Your Color Combination The "配色" (color) section offers 18 pre-tested color combinations across six member-color themes. Each preset includes a background color, character color, and border color tuned for stadium visibility. Simply tap any preset tile to apply it instantly to your preview. Presets are organized by aesthetic: Classic (navy background + white text, most reliable), Light (white or cream background + dark text, fresh and clean), Neon (vibrant, eye-catching borders), and Member-Color-Themed (incorporating your team's official colors). Your preview updates immediately, so you can compare options side-by-side. If you want to fine-tune a preset's colors or border thickness, tap the "色を詳細に調整" (fine-tune colors) option and adjust individual RGB hex values. Golden rule: text and background must differ significantly in brightness (contrast ratio 3:1 or higher). For member colors that are light pastels (soft pink, pale mint), avoid using them as main text—use them as borders or accents instead. For detailed color theory and contrast guidance, see the Color Guide.
## Step 5: Adjust Border Thickness The "縁取り" (border) section lets you control the outline thickness around your characters. Choose from three options: None (clean, minimal, but risky at distance), Thin (1.5–2mm, balances elegance with visibility), or Thick (3–4mm, maximum contrast, professional impact). Your border color is part of the color preset and works with your text and background to create contrast. For characters 6–8cm tall, a thin-to-medium border (2mm) is standard. Smaller text (4–5cm) benefits from a thicker border (3–4mm) to remain visible from distance. Thicker borders also help when your background and text colors are close in brightness. The preview updates as you adjust, so test each option and choose what looks clearest at 50% zoom—simulating your actual viewing distance from the venue. Avoid borderless designs in competitive fan spaces where visibility matters; a border makes the difference between readable and lost in the crowd.
## Step 6: Review and Download Once you've finalized your text, font, colors, and borders, review your preview carefully. Check: (1) Does the text fill the circular fan area without touching the edges? (2) Is the text clearly readable at 50% zoom? (3) Do the colors feel balanced (not too clashing, not too dull)? (4) Is your message spelled correctly? If anything needs adjustment, click back to any step and refine. When satisfied, you have two download options: Free Trial (transparent PNG with watermark, low resolution—good for quick preview or social media sharing) or Print Kit (¥390 one-time purchase, high-resolution PDF/PNG, actual-size paper templates, and A4 split sheets for easy printing at convenience stores). The Print Kit is designed for immediate printing at major Japanese convenience store chains (Lawson, FamilyMart, Seven-Eleven) using their copy machines. For step-by-step convenience store printing instructions, see the Print Guide. After download, you can also adjust character size and layout based on viewing distance and character count before committing to print.
FAQ
How many characters can I input at once?
PixHub accepts 1–64 characters per design, including letters, numbers, Japanese characters, spaces, hyphens, and underscores. Shorter text stays larger and easier to read from 10–30+ meters away. If a name is long, consider a shorter variation such as 「推し」 instead of a full sentence.
Can I print the design at home using a regular printer?
Yes, but convenience store printing is recommended. The Print Kit (¥390) includes high-resolution files optimized for multifunction copiers at Japanese convenience stores (Lawson, FamilyMart, Seven-Eleven). You can also print at home if your printer supports A4 or larger photo-quality printing. For best results, use photo paper or adhesive vinyl sheets designed for uchiwa printing. Home printing may result in lower color accuracy and durability compared to convenience store printing, which uses professional-grade equipment and durable materials. If printing at home, download the high-resolution PDF from the Print Kit and adjust your printer settings to "photo" or "best quality."
How do I know if my design will be readable from the venue seats?
Use the 50% zoom test: in PixHub, zoom your preview to 50% and hold the design at arm's length. If you can read it clearly at that distance, it will likely be readable from 10+ meters away in a venue. Additionally, check your design against these criteria: (1) Text and background contrast ratio is at least 3:1 (higher is better); (2) Character size matches your expected venue distance (6–7cm for arena, 7–8cm for dome upper deck); (3) Border is present and at least 1.5–2mm thick. If any of these criteria are not met, adjust accordingly. For member color guidance, see the <a href="/guide/uchiwa-moji-size">Size Guide</a> and <a href="/guide/uchiwa-moji-iro">Color Guide</a>.
Can I edit my design after downloading?
Yes. PixHub automatically saves your design to your browser's local storage. You can return to the create page anytime, and your recent designs will appear in the history. Click any design to reload it and make changes. This is especially useful if you want to test multiple color or font combinations before printing. Note that edits are saved locally in your browser—if you clear your browser cache or switch devices, your history may be lost. To ensure you don't lose a design you like, download and save the design files (PDF or PNG) to your computer.
What file formats are available for download?
The free trial offers PNG format (low resolution with watermark). The Print Kit (¥390) includes both high-resolution PNG and PDF formats, allowing flexibility depending on your printing needs. PNG is ideal for printing at home or posting on social media (faster to share, smaller file size). PDF is optimized for convenience store multifunction copiers—use this format when printing at a convenience store. Both formats include an A4 split version for easy printing across multiple sheets if your home printer doesn't support larger sizes. Choose the format based on where you plan to print: home printer = PNG, convenience store = PDF.