Calligraphy Corner

Prep the paper

The secret sauce is prepping the paper with a spray fixative, otherwise the ink will bleed on the paper. Yes, good ol' hairspray is the perfect solution!

"I use the basic Pantene hairspray, but a workable spray fixative would also do. I will usually prep papers a few days in advance so they have time to air out, the smell does subside!" says Laura.

Another helpful tip according to Laura is, "To add a few drops of gum arabic to thicken the ink or gouache until it’s as thick as heavy cream."

recommended nib

Nikko G Nibs are high quality, hand-cut, chrome-plated Japanese pens which give very fine hairlines. They're extremely smooth and long lasting.

The nib will have an invisible protective film on it to keep it from rusting. Please remove this before use by dipping the nib in warm water and wiping with a clean paper towel. Your fingers will leave oils on the nib that will prevent ink flow.

Recommended nib

The Blue Pumpkin. The Brause Steno No. 361 has a very fine point, highly elastic, high ink capacity, fine reaction.

The nib will have an invisible protective film on it to keep it from rusting. Please remove this before use by dipping the nib in warm water and wiping with a clean paper towel. Your fingers will leave oils on the nib that will prevent ink flow.

Laura's hot-press
paper test

All of our place cards are printed on hot-press watercolor paper. Its smooth surface yields a truly fantastic image. As you can see with Laura's test, without spraying the paper first, the sumi ink will bleed. But after spraying, the nib will make perfect lines.

Click image to see it larger

Laura's cold-press
paper test

Our menu cards, buffet tags and gift tags are printed on a textured cold-press watercolor paper. The paper is a bit heavier, and therefore more durable for products that are larger, like a menu card. As you can see with Laura's test, without spraying the paper first, the sumi ink will bleed. But after spraying, the nib will make perfect lines.

Click image to see it larger

Mr. P's Calligrapher's Pen

The Calligrapher Pen is a unique, all-in-one, durable lettering art tool that produces crisp edges and sharp hairlines. This disposable pen has a hard nylon nib that withstands heavy pressure and constant use, and still provides a reliable, smooth ink flow from edge to edge. The archival black Pigma ink is waterproof and fade resistant on most papers.

Buy Mr. P's Calligrapher's Pen

Mr. P's Calligrapher's Pen on hot-press paper test

Using hairspray with our pen produces best results, although we have many happy clients who calligraph their cards without prepping the paper beforehand.

Mr. P's Calligrapher's Pen on cold-press paper test

The results are the same with our cold-press textured paper: Using hairspray with our pen produces best results, although we have many happy clients who calligraph their cards without prepping the paper beforehand.