Lettering, density, short stitches, etc

[HH5131]

I'm trying to get a standard font for a customer to do repeat personalizing for his customers. They'd like to see an italic font. So, I'm experimenting and wondering if anyone can give me pointers on this.
What size do you consider "Small" lettering??
I need to get a good bold beefy italic font to use regularly for a customer for personalizing the items they sell. (will be adding the person's name to a sporting item)
I'm currently experimenting with the font "Monotype Corsiva". I prefer to use the Melco alphabets, but couldn't find a nice italic font that looks better than this one. the customer likes this one also.
So, with that font I'm trying to adjust the column width & pull compensation and density. The letter height I have is .60, so I'm not sure what density I should use.

[HERB]

Your letter height of .60 has nothing to do with the density. Lettering is and should be considered a column stitch unless it is too large and you need to convert it to a fill. If your column is the same width everywhere then assigning a set density number (?5) is fine. This number is based on the width of the column. However, if the column varies in width and you set your density to a 4 (example # only) and the column width changes then your setting no longer applies. This is where Auto Density comes into play.

[HH5131]

Herb, that makes sense and thank you for pointing that out. I have experimented with auto density and just sewed out a sample with auto density. It did not look good at all compared to when I set the density at a set number (4.2). I'm assuming that means I need to change the default settings in the auto density?
By the way, yes, there are wider & narrower parts in the lettering.

[gcannon]

I am using Design Shop Pro+, and I can change almost any of my fonts, whether Melco or TT or whatever to be italicized just by clicking on the "I" in the lettering properties box. Hope this helps, and it may save you a little $, too!
Happy embroidering!
PS:
I have both ver 7. something and version 9. something, and I prefer the earlier version- we men sometimes don't deal well with change, you know.