9 Step Guide to Starting a Calligraphy Business
Calligraphy is a blend of skill and artistry that continues to find its place in modern life—whether it’s for weddings, modern events, branding, or unique designs. The demand for personalized calligraphy services is growing, and if you’ve ever thought about turning your passion for lettering into a business, now is the time to do it! If you’re someone who loves the elegance of calligraphy and has been wondering how to turn that passion into a business, this guide will walk you through starting a calligraphy business and the steps to get started!
Step 1: Perfect Your Craft
Before jumping into the business side of starting a calligraphy business, you need to focus on your skill. It’s important to consistently practice calligraphy, not just to improve but to develop your own unique style! It’s less glamorous than jumping into the world of weddings, but regular practice will help you improve your technique and create work that stands out.
Step 2: Choose Your Niche
Once you’ve honed your skills, the next step is finding a niche that matches your strengths. Calligraphy covers many potential niches, from wedding invitations to logo design and even brand activations and corporate events. Focusing on a niche will help you stand out and attract the right clients.
Spend some time exploring what excites you the most, and where there’s demand. For example some niches, like weddings, are consistently popular! Having a clear focus will help you carve out a space in the calligraphy market.
For more on how to find your niche as a calligrapher (and why it’s important), read this blog!
Step 3: Gather the Right Tools
To do great work, you need the right tools. High-quality tools are important for delivering professional results. For traditional calligraphy, you’ll need pens, nibs, ink, and high-quality paper. If you plan to do digital work, you might want to invest in tools like graphic tablets and software such as Adobe Illustrator or Procreate. While it’s tempting to go for the most expensive tools right away, it’s smart to budget for quality without overspending at first.
Need help choosing tools? My lettering supply guide has all my favorite recommendations.
Step 4: Build a Portfolio
When starting a calligraphy business, a strong portfolio is important for showcasing your work and attracting clients! Even if you don’t have clients yet, you can create mock projects or collaborate with others to fill your portfolio. The goal is to show your range and creativity. When you’re ready to share it online, make sure to photograph or scan your pieces well. Clear, high-quality images make a big difference when attracting potential clients.
PSST: Click here to learn how to create, showcase, and share your wedding portfolio!
Step 5: Set Up Your Business Legally
Now that you’re ready to start working with clients, it’s time to set up the legal side of your business. First, choose a business name that reflects your brand and register it according to your local laws. You’ll also need to get the necessary permits or licenses depending on your location. Don’t forget about finances—keep track of income, expenses, and invoices from the beginning. It’s easier to get organized early than try to fix things later on.
Step 6: Price Your Services
Next, let’s talk about pricing your services. Setting the right price can feel tricky when starting a calligraphy business. First, look at your skill level, the niche you’re working in, and what others are charging in your area. You might decide to charge by the hour, per project, or offer package deals. Remember, your time and talent are valuable, so resist the urge to underprice your work. It’s important to value your work and your time. Even in the beginning!
For more guidance on pricing, check out my Creative’s Guide to Pricing or the Creative’s Pricing Toolkit.
Step 7: Market Your Calligraphy Business
Building your presence online is one of the best ways to market your business. Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok are great platforms for sharing your work and connecting with potential clients. Setting up a website is another important step. It acts as a portfolio and a place for clients to contact you.
Another overlooked marketing tactic is networking with event planners, designers, and other professionals can lead to referrals. This one is so fun you might forget it leads to business! If you are great at connecting with people, you might also consider participating in local markets or art fairs to gain even more visibility (especially at the beginning).
Step 8: Get Your First Clients
Finding your first clients can start with your personal network—friends and family are often a good place to start. You can also use platforms like Etsy or Fiverr to reach a wider audience. As you start working with clients, make sure to offer excellent customer service. Happy clients are more likely to refer you to others and leave positive reviews, both of which are essential for building a strong reputation.
Client satisfaction is something I take seriously, and I’m always finding ways to go above and beyond to surprise and delight my clients. Here’s how you can do it too.
Step 9: Scale Your Business With Systems
Once your business is up and running, you can look for ways to grow. But the best way to scale your calligraphy business? Is to truly double down on your systems and processes, and continue to commit to an incredible client experience as you grow. I help calligraphers with this all the time in my mentorship program because after five years full-time in my business (and doing calligraphy for over a decade now), I know that there are so many little tweaks you can make to your business to increase your profit and enjoy a little more work-life balance too. If you’re interested, I’d love to support you too!
Starting a Calligraphy Business
Starting a calligraphy business takes dedication and some planning, but it’s completely doable with the right approach. To avoid making mistakes, take it step by step—from perfecting your craft to marketing your services—and you’ll be well on your way. As always, if you’re ready to move forward, I’m here to help. My one-on-one mentoring program is perfect for calligraphers ready to take their passion to the next level. Check me out on Instagram for inspiration and a look behind-the-scenes. Plus, tune into my podcast where I share all things business and calligraphy!
