Batok: A Typeface Inspired by the Ancient Tattoo Art of the Philippines

The term Batok has its roots in the Kalinga language, where it means tattoo. This art form, known as Pambabatok, has been deeply ingrained in the Filipino culture and is highly respected. While it was once reserved for headhunters and women undergoing rites of passage, nowadays, many tourists flock to Kalinga to receive tattoos from Apo Whang-Od, the oldest and last mambabatok. Inspired by the ancient hand-tapped tattoo art of the Philippines, Batok is a sharp and expressive typeface that embodies the intricate designs and thorny spikes used in the practice. This font works wonders as large posters, headings, editorial projects, merchandise design, or even as a text overlay on background images. The upcoming font family, Batok, includes a thin variant known as Batok Karayom, which translates to "needle" in Tagalog. With its sleek design, this font is sure to make a statement in any project.

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The word Batok comes from the Kalinga equivalent of the word tattoo. Pambabatok is a highly respected art form that is engraved in the Filipino culture. It used to be for tribes’ headhunters and women going through rites of passage, but nowadays many tourists visit Kalinga to get a tattoo from the oldest and ‘last’ mambabatok, Apo Whang-Od.

Batok is a sharp and expressive typeface inspired by the ancient ethnic Philippine art of hand-tapped tattoos. The spikes reflect the thorns that are used to tattoo the body with.

Batok works great when set large as posters, headings, editorial projects, merchandise design, or simply just as a text overlay to a background image.

Batok Karayom is the thin variant of the upcoming font family Batok. Karayom translates to “needle” in Tagalog.

Batok Tinik (medium) and Batok Pako (bold) hopefully coming soon!

*Tinik = thorn; Pako = nail

Batok is 100% free for personal and commercial usage. Credit to the author is not required, but appreciated.

Many thanks to the following people: Tipong Pilipino, Trixia Dela Cruz (my amazing mentor!), Chris, Nathan, Sibin Ap, Lea, Enzo, Geno, Jay-Pee, Cian.


[FIL]

Ang salitang Batok ay nagmula sa katumbas ng salitang “tattoo” sa wikang Kalinga. Ang pambabatok ay isang nirerespetong sining na nakaukit sa kulturang Pilipino. Noo’y para ito sa mga mandirigma at kababaihan ng mga tribo, ngunit ngayo’y marami nang turista ang bumibisita sa Kalinga upang magpa-tattoo sa huli’t pinakamatandang mambabatok na si Apo Whang-Od.

Ang Batok ay isang matidis at mapagpahayag na typeface. Ang inspirasyon nito ay nagmula sa sining etniko ng Kalinga na pambabatok. Ang mga matutulis na parte ay ang katumbas ng mga tinik na siyang ginagamit pang-tattoo sa katawan.

Ang Batok ay magandang gamitin para sa mga poster o nakapaskil na karatula, pamagat, proyektong editoryal, disenyong pangkalakal, o kahit pamatong lamang sa isang imahe.

Ang Batok Karayom ay ang pinakamanipis na baryante sa parating na font family na "Batok". Ang salitang karayom ay Tagalog ng "needle".

Ang Batok Tinik (medium) at Batok Pako (bold) ay malapit na ring dumating.

Ang Batok ay libreng gamitin para sa mga proyektong personal o komersyal. Hindi kailangang i-credit ang awtor, ngunit ito ay malugod na tatanggapin.

Malugod kong pinasasalamatan ang mga sumusunod: Tipong Pilipino, Trixia Dela Cruz (my amazing mentor!), Chris, Nathan, Sibin Ap, Lea, Enzo, Geno, Jay-Pee, Cian.