Overview
ISO 3098-2:2000 is the ISO standard that specifies the Latin alphabet, numerals and marks used in technical product documentation and drawings. It complements ISO 3098-0 (general prescriptions and dimensions) and focuses on the characters and signs applied to engineering drawings, CAD output and associated documents. The part addresses characters produced by lettering templates (trace-letters), freehand writing and other appropriate methods.
The standard emphasizes legibility and uniformity: letters should be formed so strokes meet or cross at approximately right angles to maintain a constant optical density and to avoid thickening at intersections. The publication includes illustrative examples of preferred scripts and orientations to guide consistent application.
Key Topics
- Character set: Latin alphabet letters, Arabic numerals and commonly used marks for technical documentation.
- Legibility rules: Guidance to avoid smudging and to preserve uniform stroke density, including stroke intersection principles.
- Writing methods: Application to trace-lettering, freehand and alternative marking techniques used on drawings and CAD systems.
- Illustrative examples: Sample alphabets and script styles showing upright and inclined lettering variants (examples A and B in upright and inclined forms).
- Reference to dimensions: For size and dimensional prescriptions, ISO 3098-0 provides the general requirements applicable to this part.
Applications
ISO 3098-2:2000 is intended for professionals who produce, review or consume technical drawings and product documentation where consistent lettering is critical. Typical applications include:
- Engineering and manufacturing drawings where readable annotations affect fabrication and inspection.
- CAD standards and template libraries to ensure text consistency across digital drawings.
- Technical documentation and assembly instructions requiring standardized alphanumeric notation.
- Quality control, archival of drawing records, and intercultural document exchange where a common lettering standard reduces misinterpretation.
Benefits include improved readability, fewer drawing errors related to text interpretation, and easier adoption of unified CAD lettering rules across teams and suppliers.
Related Standards
- ISO 3098-0 - General prescriptions and dimensions for lettering (referenced for character sizes and layout).
- ISO 3098-3 - Alphabet Greek (other script coverage within the series).
- ISO 3098-4 - Diacritic and special signs for Latin alphabet.
- ISO 3098-5 - CAD lettering for Latin alphabet, numerals and marks.
- ISO 3098-6 - Cyrillic alphabet.
ISO 3098-2:2000 forms part of the broader ISO 3098 series that standardizes lettering across scripts and methods, supporting consistent, legible technical product documentation for engineering and manufacturing workflows.
Open preview (PDF)Technical product documentation — Lettering — Part 2: Latin alphabet, numerals and marks