Need some help on laying out fonts on graph paper relative to how to determine the width and height of any particular style using A design & wrap or A design & C or D wrap.

Ok big secret out for everyone. Go to the biggest yardage store you can find. Look for cross stitch books on letters. They are pretty much set up the same way we set up for rods. So Many styles you will to nuts. I always like using one thread size larger to wrap with than I am using in my pattern. (Think I heard that somewhere in a video or something.) As for how many threads for what size that is up to you. Some dont like it if it wraps around the rod but for most my customers it makes no dif. as long as it is pretty and clean. I will turn a rod 360 to get a look at a good pattern. Letters it is usually better not to go too far around. Again, only my opinion.

There is a book called "97 Alphabet" that has a bunch of fonts already on graph paper.

I just tried the program called PC Stitch that Jim Upton has posted about. I was able to type out my name and size it up for a certain thread count I needed. Many different fonts in the program.

I've found that using A thread for both the turning and the weave threads gives a much smoother overall look to the letters-the use of C or D thread gives the edges a rougher look to me. When doing initials like the "ML" pic I recently posted I usually make the letters 30threads by 30 threads with some letters being narrower, and that size shows up real nice on rods. I use different fonts depending on my mood!
I like the letters vertical so when holding the rod fishing or when the rod is in the rod rack on a boat, the letters are visable. I'm not a fan of the having to turn the rod to see the complete weave or whatever-jmo