While craft stores are everywhere, the calligraphy supplies I use are often a little more specific than what’s available at Michael’s, JoAnn Fabrics, or Hobby Lobby. The good news is that there are lots of online options for purchasing these specialty tools!
In general, my favorite vendor for calligraphy supplies is Paper and Ink Arts. They’re based in Nashville, TN, and ship relatively quickly. Their customer service team is amazing! You earn rewards with each purchase you make, which is always a perk. Shop with this small business here.
But, I realize lots of you may want to shop on Amazon… helloooo, convenience! So, here is a round-up of my must-have goodies!
Please note this page contains affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of those links, you won’t pay a penny more, but I’ll get a small commission. Thanks for supporting my business in this way!
Calligraphy Supplies
The best part of this craft is that you don’t need a ton of calligraphy supplies to get started. At its core, you need ink, nibs, and a holder, and some paper. That’s it!
Sumi “Moon Palace”
My go-to ink. It’s a great black ink that provides a beautifully high contrast for scanning.
Dr. Ph. Martin’s Iridescent Line
Copperplate Gold is my favorite gold ink. Lots of shine and easy to use (right from the bottle), plus you can mix all the colors from the Iridescent line to make your perfect shimmer shade.
Speedball Oblique Pen Holder
There are really fancy, beautiful pens out there, but honestly… I’m so rough on my stuff that this basic one works for me. That way I don’t feel terrible if (ahem, when) I ruin it.
Nikko G nibs
I’m quite heavy-handed so I almost exclusively use a Nikko G nib. This pack of nibs includes these, along with Zebra G (another popular type). Don’t forget to change your nib fairly frequently!
Canson Pro Layout Marker Paper
This is the paper I use for all the spot calligraphy work I do, to be scanned in and digitized. Feels great for writing, and perfect high contrast for clean scans!
Arches Hot Press Paper
This is the paper I use for finished commissions, such as vows. The paper is textured, heavy, and archival, but the hot press finish is easier to write on with a calligraphy nib, since it’s smoother than its cold press counterpart.
Watercolor Supplies
Winsor & Newton Paints
I exclusively paint with Winsor & Newton watercolor tubes. While I often use the professional series, the Cotman series is a great middle-of-the-road option. Less expensive, but higher quality than a student grade. I love that this set comes with a palette, too!
Winsor & Newton brushes
High quality watercolor brushes make a difference in your work. Round brushes have proven to be the most versatile, and having a variety of sizes on hand is important. Bonus: I keep my brushes clean with this product!
Arches Cold Press Paper
I love the texture on this watercolor paper, because it holds up nicely to lots of liquid, and wet-on-wet washes blend beautifully on it. Plus, it’s archival, so it works well for finished client work.
Tech Supplies
Light box
I couldn’t function without my light box! I use it all.the.time, for envelope addressing, as well as writing out work for spot calligraphy, transferring sketches to final versions (and the list goes on). I use this particular one because it’s thin on my workspace and easily transportable for travel.
Scanner
I use an older version of this high resolution scanner for all my spot calligraphy and watercolor work, so I can digitize these artwork elements for my clients’ projects.
Business Resources
Simply Jessica Marie’s Printing and Production Partners Guide
If you’ve ever wondered how to produce invitations or products with your artwork, look no further! Jessica’s guide is amazingly comprehensive and I reference it often. Use code LEAH10 for 10% off of this guide (and any of her art courses).
Dubsado
My CRM tool is Dubsado. I use it for proposals, contracts, invoicing, and all of my proofs for clients. It makes everything seamless for their experience, and easy for me. Use code leahemoss for 20% off your first month or year.
Tailwind
I use Tailwind to plan my Pinterest pins and Instagram posts. It’s a game-changer for my sanity! You can try it for free before purchasing a plan.
BluChic
My website is built on a BluChic theme for WordPress. This has proven to be an inexpensive but professional way to make my website feel like me! PS: I use the Quinn theme, but they’re all beautiful!
Sachs Strategy
This may be a bit of shameless self-promotion, but I launched this sister brand in 2021 to help service-based solopreneurs manage their schedule. I keep all my clients organized on the calendar with my Stick To It system.
The Art of Ease
I took Carley’s mindset course and it changed my life. That’s not something I say lightly. What are you waiting for? I wouldn’t miss it.
So there you have it! My favorite calligraphy supplies… plus some watercolor and tech must-haves, and business resources that have been helpful to me.
I use these for my all my invitation clients’ projects. Want to be on the list? Reach out to me here.