The difference between Initial and Versal

When used as nouns, initial means the first letter of a word or a name, whereas versal means ornamental letter that begins a section.

When used as adjectives, initial means chronologically first, early, whereas versal means universal.

Initial is also verb with the meaning: to sign one's initial(s), as an abbreviated signature.

check bellow for the other definitions of Initial and Versal

Initial as an adjective:

Chronologically first, early; of or pertaining to the beginning, cause or origin.

Examples:

"Our initial admiration for their efficiency gave way to disgust about their methods."

"The initial stages of a syndrome may differ vastly from the final symptoms."
Initial as an adjective:

Spatially first, placed at the beginning, in the first position; especially said of the first letter of a word.

Examples:

"The initial letter of names is usually printed with a capital letter."

Initial as a noun:

The first letter of a word or a name.
Initial as a noun:

In plural, the first letter of each word of a person's full name considered as a unit.

Examples:

"You can get your initials printed at the top."
Initial as a noun (typesetting, calligraphy):

A distinguished initial letter of a chapter or section of a document.
Initial as a noun (phonology):

onset, part of a syllable that precedes the syllable nucleus in phonetics and phonology.

Initial as a verb (transitive):

To sign one's initial(s), as an abbreviated signature.

Examples:

"Please initial each page and sign the contract in full at the bottom."

Versal as a noun (typography, calligraphy):

Ornamental letter that begins a section