A survey of handwriting synthesis from 2019 to 2024: A comprehensive review

Abstract

Handwriting, as a uniquely human skill, contributes to fine motor development and cognitive growth. Beyond mere functionality, handwriting carries individuality and subtle emotional nuances, evoking feelings of intimacy and authenticity. Consequently, the generation of synthetic handwritten manuscripts should not only prioritize the production of legible text, but also seek to enhance personalization and authenticity in digital communication. This enhancement renders handwriting synthesis invaluable in domains such as digital marketing and e-learning. Notably, handwriting synthesis plays a pivotal role in forensic science, particularly in signature verification, to bolster security and prevent fraud. Additionally, it has the potential to enhance accessibility, particularly for individuals with disabilities, and assist in health monitoring among elderly populations. Motivated by the significance of handwriting synthesis, this paper conducts a comprehensive literature review on the synthetic generation of handwriting and signatures. By examining research from 2019 to 2024, we categorize methods of synthesis, evaluate synthetic handwriting quality, and explore practical applications. Furthermore, we provide insights into publicly available code resources and emerging synthetic databases.