Once upon a time, “fancy writing” was reserved for monks in candlelit rooms (Medieval art is the best). Fast-forward to today, and calligraphy and hand lettering are thriving again, not because we need illuminated manuscripts, but because it’s flat-out fun. It’s meditative, it’s expressive, and it makes your grocery list look like a royal decree (which, honestly, broccoli does not deserve).
Whether you’re after elegant calligraphy with nibs and ink, bold brush lettering, or playful faux-calligraphy doodles in your sketchbook, we’ve got the tools, the resources, and everything you need to get you started.
Tools of the Trade (And Yes, We Carry All of Them)
If it’s calligraphy, we’ve probably got it on our shelves or tucked in our museum library, if it’s really special. Here’s a peek:
- Speedball everything – nibs, inks, lettering guides, sets… even the line of Elegant Writer pens.
- Vintage gems – we’ve got some Speedball lettering books from way back when tucked into our ASC museum collection. They’re like time capsules of graphic design, and yes, we let people flip through them.
- Inks galore – J. Herbin inks (from the folks at Exaclair), Brause nibs, Manuscript pens and sets, Hunt nibs, plus sumi inks, Higgins inks, Dr. Ph. Martin’s India inks in every color, and FW acrylic inks for bold modern work.
- Guides & practice sheets – Because everyone starts somewhere, and sometimes that somewhere is tracing the alphabet ten times with a nib holder in one hand and coffee in the other.
If you’re overwhelmed, don’t worry, we love walking people through the tools. Ask us about nib flexibility, ink flow, or why one paper smudges and another sings. We’ll nerd out with you until your eyes sparkle like freshly dried ink.
Free Resources to Start With
You don’t need to jump straight into monk-level manuscripts, there are tons of free resources that make learning calligraphy and hand lettering approachable and fun. Printable practice sheets are everywhere, and Staedtler has a great tutorial and guide creator. (No more crooked alphabets unless you want them crooked, which honestly can be a vibe.) Pair those guides with a simple nib and ink setup or even an Elegant Writer pen, and you’ll be practicing consistent strokes in no time. Free practice sheets and alphabet drills are a great way to build muscle memory, and the best part? Mistakes are part of the process.
Digital Lettering for the Tech-Friendly
If dipping nibs isn’t your style (or you just want to sneak in practice between meetings) there are lots of digital options. Apps like Procreate for iPad offer brush sets designed to mimic real nibs and brush pens, letting you practice anywhere without worrying about spills or smudges. iPad Letting has some wonderful freebies to get you started and be sure to check out their Insta for all the tutorials. Digital tools are awesome for experimenting with layouts, colors, and effects, but we’ll admit there’s nothing quite like the scratch of a steel nib on paper and the magic of seeing real ink dry across the page. (Spoiler: we’re always going to be a little biased toward the messy, analog joy of ink.)
Why We Love Lettering
Calligraphy and hand lettering aren’t just about pretty letters. They’re about slowing down, focusing on each stroke, and letting rhythm and creativity guide your hand. It’s the art of words—and if that doesn’t feel powerful, we don’t know what does.
Plus, nothing feels more satisfying than mailing a letter with an envelope that looks like it came straight out of a fantasy novel. (Speaking of which: check out our DIY Envelope blog post for a perfect pairing.)
Swing by Art Supply Center and we’ll help you build your lettering kit, from nibs and inks to practice sheets and guides. Ask to peek at our vintage Speedball books in the library if you want a dose of inspiration from the lettering nerds of the past. Be sure to tag us so we can see your awesome creations!
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