Mastering Wedding Invitation Calligraphy: A Guide To Elegant Writing

Wedding calligraphy is a beautiful and traditional art form that can add a personal touch to your wedding invitations. It is an elegant, formal style of writing that can be done using an ink brush, pen, or marker, and is often used to decorate formal wedding invitations, seating charts, and place cards. While it may seem daunting, you can achieve this look yourself with the right tools and practice. This includes choosing the right ink, paper, and pen, as well as learning the proper techniques for creating smooth, beautiful lettering. Alternatively, you can hire a professional calligrapher to work their magic on your wedding stationery.

Choosing the right tools and materials for calligraphy

Types of Ink:

Start by choosing one or two types of ink to work with. Sumi ink, a Japanese ink commonly found in craft supply stores, tends to have a bolder appearance and is a great option for beginners. India ink, on the other hand, is widely available and tends to be thinner, requiring less drying time. Both options will give you a strong foundation for your calligraphy practice.

Storage and Application:

It is important to store your ink properly, so look for a screw-top container, such as a small cosmetic jar. Additionally, having a cup of water nearby while you work can help if your ink isn't flowing smoothly; simply dip your nib into the water to improve its flow.

Paper:

When practising your calligraphy, opt for laser jet paper, which responds well to ink and offers a professional look. Rhodia paper is a good choice, as it works well with ink.

Guidelines and Corrections:

To create symmetrical and legible calligraphy, use a ruler to draw base lines and cap heights. A base line is where the bottom of your letters rest, while a cap height marks the top of your letters. An eraser will be your friend here, allowing you to quickly correct any outlines and guidelines.

Nibs:

When starting out, choose Nikko G nibs, which are simple to use and allow you to create foundational calligraphic styles. These Japanese nibs come in different shapes and sizes, so you can create variation in your writing. Be sure to change your nib when it starts writing differently or feels too sharp.

Cleaning and Maintenance:

Have a non-fibrous cloth, such as a paper towel, on hand to remove excess ink as needed. Be careful not to snag your nib on the paper towel's fibres. To clean your nib at the end of each session, rinse it with lukewarm water and mild soap, then pat it dry with a non-fibrous cloth.

Pens:

You can choose between a straight pen or an oblique pen for calligraphy. Straight pens are thicker than normal pens and are usually made of wood. Oblique pens have a similar long base but with an appendage for the nib, creating an extra angle. Straight pens are great for illustrations and modern calligraphy, while oblique pens are better for styles that require more slant. Hold each type to see which feels more comfortable, as it often comes down to personal preference.

Practice and Patience:

Calligraphy requires practice and patience, so give yourself plenty of time to learn and perfect your craft. It is a meditative task, so plan your practice sessions for when you can be relaxed and focused. Remember, your handwriting doesn't have to be perfect – part of the beauty of calligraphy is the unique, personal touch it adds to your wedding invitations.

How to prepare your envelopes for calligraphy

Preparing your envelopes for calligraphy is a crucial step in achieving the elegant look you desire for your wedding invitations. Here is a comprehensive guide to help you through the process:

Choose the Right Tools

Start by gathering the necessary tools and creating your calligraphy toolkit. Here are the essentials:

• Ink: Opt for Sumi ink or India ink. Sumi ink has a stronger look and can be found at craft supply stores, while India ink is widely available and dries faster.
• Screw-top Container: Store your ink in a screw-top container, such as a small cosmetic jar, for easy access and to prevent spills.
• Cup of Water: Dip your nib in water if the ink isn't flowing smoothly, and remember to clean your nib after each session.
• Paper: Invest in good-quality paper, such as Laserjet or Rhodia paper, for practising your calligraphy before moving on to the envelopes.
• Ruler: Use a ruler to draw base lines and cap heights for symmetrical and legible calligraphy.
• Eraser: An eraser will help you quickly correct any outlines and guidelines, ensuring a neat final product.
• Nibs: Nikko G nibs are ideal for beginners as they are simple to use and allow you to create foundational calligraphic styles.
• Non-fibrous Cloth: Have a non-fibrous cloth, such as a paper towel, handy to remove excess ink and dab your nib.
• Needle-nose Pliers: These may come in handy when assembling your pen or adjusting your nib, especially with an oblique pen.
• Pencil: Outline the letters and draw guidelines on the envelope to keep your words straight and even.
• Pen: Choose between a straight pen, which is thicker and usually made of wood, or an oblique pen, which has an additional appendage for the nib to create an extra angle.

Practise Calligraphy Techniques

Before diving into addressing your envelopes, take the time to practise and perfect your calligraphy skills:

• Grip: Hold the pen comfortably with your thumb, index, and middle finger. Angle your hand at a 45-degree angle from the paper, and keep your arm and hand relaxed.
• Inking: Dip about a quarter of your nib into the ink. Remove excess ink by dabbing it with a non-fibrous cloth to avoid bleeding.
• Pressure: Apply light pressure during upstrokes (thin lines) and slightly more pressure during downstrokes (thicker lines). Your index finger should guide the pressure gently.
• Direction: Decide on your angle before starting, as it will guide your upstrokes and downstrokes, giving cohesion to your letters.
• Flourishes: Add festive embellishments like flourishes at the beginning or end of a word to complement your lettering.

Prepare Your Guest List

To make the process smoother for yourself or your calligrapher, spend time preparing and formatting your final guest list. This includes gathering the following information for each guest or party:

• Title
• First name
• Last name
• Street address
• City
• State
• Zip code

Practise on Similar Envelopes

Before writing on your actual wedding invitation envelopes, it is advisable to practise on similar envelopes. This will help you get a feel for the process and make any necessary adjustments. You can purchase cheap envelopes from Amazon or Office Depot to perfect your calligraphy skills and chosen font.

Take Your Time

Calligraphy is an art that requires patience and practice. Give yourself ample time to work on your envelopes without feeling rushed. Set realistic goals, such as addressing a certain number of envelopes each day, to avoid burnout or overwhelm. Remember, this process should be enjoyable and add a personal touch to your wedding invitations.

How to hold your pen at the correct angle

Holding your pen at the correct angle is key to achieving beautiful calligraphy. Here are some detailed instructions to help you get started:

To begin, sit upright and hold your pen with your thumb, index finger, and middle finger. Position your hand at a 45-degree angle to the paper. This grip will give you the control and precision needed for creating smooth, elegant lettering. Keep your arm and hand relaxed as you write to ensure graceful strokes. Use your index finger to lightly control the pressure applied to the pen. This finger should guide the pressure placed on the pen, ensuring thin lines during upstrokes and thicker lines during downstrokes.

When creating calligraphy, it is essential to maintain a consistent angle and direction with your pen. The nib of your pen should always point in the same direction to give your letters cohesion. Decide on your angle before you start writing, as it will guide your upstrokes and downstrokes. The upstroke occurs when the nib travels towards the top of the page, while the downstroke occurs when the nib moves towards the bottom. Maintaining this consistent angle will give your calligraphy a polished and professional look.

As you write, pay attention to the direction of your strokes. The nib creates a thick or thin effect depending on its direction and the amount of pressure applied. For thicker lines, apply slightly more pressure during downstrokes, and for thinner lines, use less pressure during upstrokes. This variation in thickness will give your lettering a rhythmic and appealing flow, adding to the overall aesthetic of your calligraphy.

It is also important to adjust your paper to a 90-degree angle instead of changing the angle of your hand. This will help you create a slanted look for your letters, adding to the style and elegance of your calligraphy. Remember to keep your letters within the guidelines you have drawn to ensure balance and symmetry in your lettering.

By following these instructions and practising regularly, you will be well on your way to creating beautiful calligraphy for your wedding invitations.

How to apply pressure to your pen

The amount of pressure you apply to your pen will determine the thickness of your strokes. The more pressure you apply, the thicker your strokes will be. The less pressure you apply, the thinner your strokes will be.

When creating calligraphy, you will want to apply heavy pressure to create thick downstrokes and light pressure to create thin upstrokes. The variation of thick and thin strokes is what defines calligraphy. Therefore, knowing when to apply pressure is crucial for creating beautiful calligraphy.

To create pressure, press your pen down onto the paper with force. Before you begin writing, be sure to hold your pen correctly and at the proper angle. Every pen is different in size and flexibility, so spend time getting familiar with your pen. Hold your pen at an angle to avoid fraying the tip and to optimise the flexibility of the tip.

When exerting pressure, maintain control over the pen and continue holding it at the proper angle. Your angle may adjust slightly with each stroke. Over time, you will adapt your own unique grip and hand/finger position around your pen to adjust for your own writing style.

To create thin strokes, you do not need to apply much pressure, if any at all. When the tip of your pen touches the paper, slowly and carefully draw a line at an angle, and do not exert much force with the pen.

To create a thicker stroke, apply more pressure to the pen. Press your pen onto the page, maintaining the proper angle, and watch as the tip flexes or slightly bends, allowing more of the tip to touch the page. Keep this pressure on the pen, and draw a stroke. If you are holding your pen at the right angle, you will see that the stroke is significantly thicker than your previous upstroke. You can experiment with different amounts of pressure and observe the varying stroke widths that each amount of pressure creates.

Controlling the pressure can be tricky when you are first learning calligraphy. A huge part of gaining control is knowing your pen. Get familiar with your pen and learn how to hold it correctly. To control the pressure you exert, practice varying amounts of pressure for long periods of time. For example, start with the lightest amount of pressure you can exert, where you are barely touching the page. Create strokes with this amount of pressure only and fill an entire page with that stroke. Then, increase the amount of pressure slightly and fill a new page with that stroke.

The biggest advice to help develop a good sense of control is to break down your words and letters and go slow. If you get too far ahead of yourself and try to write long paragraphs before you master basic strokes, you will find it difficult and frustrating to master control over your pen. Do not rush, or you risk compromising quality and the ability to improve your strokes based on the pressure you exert.

How to clean your pen and care for your ink

Cleaning Your Pen

The first step in cleaning your pen is to remove the manufacturer's oil from the nib with either dish soap, toothpaste, or rubbing alcohol. You can also use a potato, but be careful not to damage the tines. Once the oil is removed, rinse the nib with water and dry it with a soft cloth or paper towel.

After using your pen, rinse the nib with water and gently scrub off any remaining ink with a soft sponge, soft toothbrush, or cotton swab. Be sure to dry the nib thoroughly before storing it. If you are using a fountain pen, you can also clean it by flushing it with clean water until all the ink is removed.

Caring for Your Ink

When choosing ink for your calligraphy pen, avoid using calligraphy ink, India ink, or any ink that is acrylic or shellac-based. These types of inks are too thick and can clog up your pen. Instead, opt for fountain pen ink, which is designed to flow smoothly through the pen.

If you are using a dip pen, load the ink using a dropper or a small, round sable brush to avoid making a mess and to have greater control over the amount of ink. When using a fountain pen, expel any excess ink before cleaning and be sure to flush the pen with water several times to remove all traces of ink.

Always clean your pen and nib after each use to prevent dried ink from building up and inhibiting ink flow. For best results, clean your pen at least once a month or whenever you change ink colors.

Frequently asked questions