Overview
Every major tracing designer exposes Tracing style: Dotted letters, Light gray letters, and Rainbow letters. Row height still comes from Letter size on each tool—style only changes how visible the guide ink is.
Dotted works for first passes and weak grip. Light gray suits children who peek at dotted models too long. Rainbow adds engagement but can slow children who focus on colors instead of letter shapes—keep lists short on word tracing.
Use the same style for a week before switching so progress is obvious. Pair gray name rows with dotted letter refreshers from letter tracing when one letter regresses.
Designer options
- Dotted letters — Clear punch-out guides; best for new letters and names on name tracing.
- Light gray letters — Softer contrast; good fade before blank primary lined paper.
- Rainbow letters — Each letter multicolor; match crayons for fine-motor play, not timed drills.
- Letter size — Independent of style; keep size when changing style only.
- Empty row options — On word tracing, combine gray tracing with Empty row after each word for cover-and-write.
Recommended setups
- New name: Dotted → Extra large → name tracing → fading row optional.
- Spelling list: Light gray → Medium → word tracing → Empty row on.
- Friday game: Rainbow → Large → letter tracing single letter review.
- Mixed week: Mon dotted name, Wed gray name, Fri blank primary rows same size.
Printing and download notes
Gray guides disappear on draft printing—use normal or best quality. Rainbow uses more ink; print single-sided if smudging.
Related features
Name tracing · Letter tracing · Word tracing
In practice
Spelling: light gray word tracing, six words, empty row on, normal print quality.
Common mistakes
| Problem | Usually because | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Gray invisible | Draft printer mode | Normal quality |
| Rainbow distraction | 15-word list | Short lists only |
| Style and size both changed | Hard to see progress | Change one variable per week |