Should You Start Selling Calligraphy Templates?

There was a time when I was fully booked with 93 weddings and wanted to burn my entire business down, so trust me when I say, I know you’re likely asking the question, “should you start selling calligraphy templates?” because you’re TIRED. I get it! “Passive income” is the buzzword in every creative industry these days, especially in the wedding and event world. Templates, digital downloads, and other ready-to-go products are often seen as the golden ticket to growing your business (and income) without working all hours of the day.

And listen, while these products can be a fantastic way to earn, I’ve learned there’s way more to scaling a business than just creating a handful of templates. Instead, I want to talk about why setting up systems and building a client experience that justifies premium pricing can be the real game-changer you’re looking for (and yes, I’ve had an Etsy shop for calligraphy templates before!).

Building a Sustainable Business Foundation

First things first, if you’re new here, welcome! I’m Alane, the wedding calligrapher and educator behind Write Pretty for Me. I specialize in helping fellow calligraphers like you build a sustainable business without sacrificing the love for the craft. Let’s talk about whether or not selling wedding calligraphy templates is right for you—and how to make sure you have the foundation to handle the growth when you do add passive income.

Selling Calligraphy Templates: The Pros and Cons

Selling calligraphy templates is tempting because it seems simple. Once you create the design, clients can download it as-is or with minimal customization. Doesn’t that sound like a dream? Selling calligraphy templates can seem like a true win-win because:

• Passive Revenue – With templates, you do the bulk of the work up front, so you have the potential to make money repeatedly from the same product.
• Accessibility – Not every client can afford custom calligraphy, and templates give them a more budget-friendly way to add a touch of elegance to their wedding stationery.
• Exposure – Selling templates can help introduce your work to a broader audience and may lead to full-service clients down the road.

But here’s the thing: creating a template that truly represents your brand and satisfies client expectations can require more time, revisions, and back-end support than you might expect. People will email you with questions, especially as you try to scale. You also end up competing with font companies and other stationery empires with massive ad budgets, which can make it hard to stand out among the see of $9 options (which I’m guessing wasn’t the price point you were thinking of selling… because oh my, you’d need to sell a lot of them).

Passive Income Isn’t Passive, So Here’s What I’d Recommend Before Selling Calligraphy Templates

If the idea of selling templates has crossed your mind because you’re feeling burned out, take a step back. Trust me, I get it! When you’re juggling client work, emails, revisions, and marketing, it’s natural to look for ways to earn without adding more hours to your day.

Before you keep reading, I want you to know that if you’re stretched thin and constantly on the verge of burnout, creating and selling templates might not be the quick fix you’re hoping for.

The reality? Burnout often stems from a lack of effective systems and boundaries within your business. Trust me, I know from the year of 93 weddings! When you don’t have processes in place to streamline your workflow, every little task can feel overwhelming. It’s easy to feel like the only solution is to create something “hands-off” like templates. But the truth is that you can make good money doing custom calligraphy for clients who truly value your work, without working yourself to exhaustion.

How Systems Set You Up for Sustainable Success

When you invest in systems that support your workflow, you’re investing in your ability to handle the day-to-day with more ease. Systems—whether they’re automation tools, a streamlined booking process, or an organized project timeline—allow you to serve clients at a high level consistently while saving yourself time. And when your business runs smoothly, not only do you feel less stressed, but you also create an elevated client experience that justifies higher pricing.

In my experience, the right systems are the foundation of sustainable growth. When you’re not constantly bogged down by administrative tasks, you can focus on delivering custom work that feels meaningful and fulfilling, and that clients are willing to pay a premium for.

Investing time in this area has been one of the best decisions I’ve made for my business, and I’m passionate about sharing these tools with other calligraphers. In fact, if you want to hear more about how working on my systems and mindset (together!) has changed my business, tune into this episode where I was interviewed on The Kara Report podcast!

Build a Foundation First, Then Explore New Revenue Streams

Does this mean selling templates is a bad idea? Not at all! Templates can absolutely be a valuable addition if you’ve already created a sustainable, system-supported business. When you’re ready to add selling calligraphy templates, I want it to be because you’re choosing to explore a new revenue stream—not because you’re trying to escape an unsustainable workload.

As you’re building your business, focus first on creating a workflow that works for you and the clients who value your craft. That’s the key to feeling less stressed, more inspired, and confident about your pricing. Then, when your business is running smoothly, you’ll have the time and energy to think creatively about additional revenue streams, whether they’re templates or something entirely new. Plus, if you want a jump-start, head here to grab my email templates bundle for calligraphers!

Building a Profitable Calligraphy Business Without Burnout

If you’re ready to make your business work for you—without the burnout—I’d love to invite you to get on the waitlist for my Flourish in Biz group program for calligraphers starting in early 2025. I will help you transform your calligraphy business into a streamlined, high-value brand in just 12 weeks. Sounds pretty good right? Hop on the waitlist now!