10 Ways to Make Money as a Calligrapher in 2024
Hey there, fellow calligraphers! Are you looking for more ways to turn your beautiful letters into a thriving business? I’ve been there! Today, I’m sharing 10 ways to make money as a calligrapher in 2024! No matter where you are in your journey of starting a calligraphy business, I have a feeling you’ll find something new you haven’t considered yet below! One of the biggest factors to my success as a calligrapher has been to follow my nudges and inklings and just try new things! If you love to explore and learn by doing too, you’re in the right place here!
#1 Event and Wedding Stationery
By crafting custom designs for beautiful couples or collaborating with wedding planners, you can create unique invitations, save the dates, and thank you cards. It’s one of the most popular ways for calligraphers to make money in 2024. Plus, you can make a lot of connections and build a portfolio quickly!
#2 Envelope Addressing
Warning: when you set your pricing for envelope addressing, make sure you have an accurate estimate on how long this takes! That being said, weddings and other events often call for the personal touch of hand-addressed envelopes, and hiring a calligrapher is often the perfect solution! You can offer your services directly to event planners or couples directly and help them beautifully and elegantly address their envelopes.
#3 Handwritten Vows, First Dance Lyrics, and Other Keepsake Pieces
I absolutely love creating custom vow books! Surprisingly, these pieces were one of the first things I became known for. Personalized items are always in such high demand, especially in the wedding industry, where sentimental keepsakes are truly cherished. Whether it’s handwritten vows, first dance lyrics, or any other special phrases, these keepsake pieces can be a great way to make money as a calligrapher.
#4 On-Site Events
Live calligraphy at events such as brand activations or store openings is becoming increasingly popular. I will talk more about providing B2B services below, but as a calligrapher, you can set up a booth and offer custom lettering to attendees providing event guests with unique keepsakes while also getting exposure for your business. You never know what connections you’ll make when you show up and interact with people live!
#5 Designing Greeting Cards, Prints, and Other Products
With your skills in lettering and design, you can create your own product line and sell it on platforms like Etsy or your own website. From greeting cards to art prints, there are endless possibilities for what you can offer. For example, I offer wedding signage and table numbers in my own Etsy shop.
#6 Wedding and Event Signage
If you follow me on Instagram, you might already know this is most of what I do to make money as a calligrapher now! From welcome signs to seating charts, calligraphy is a popular (and if I do say so myself – stunning!) choice for wedding signage. I have more information on finding your ideal client in the wedding industry here.
#7 Personalized Gifts
Calligraphy can add a personal touch to gift-giving, and with the holidays coming up it can be a great way to make money as a wedding calligrapher. Offer custom quotes, names, or other special messages on items like journals, mugs, or even wine glasses. You can sell your creations online or through local markets and events, or even online! For example, last week I asked my followers on Instagram if they were interested in engraving services from me. The answer was a resounding YES so I’m adding that to my own offerings this winter.
#8 Holiday Ornaments
Speaking of the holidays, ornaments were a Christmas season staple here at Write Pretty for Me when I was first getting started. Custom ornaments with beautifully lettered names or quotes are always popular, especially during the holiday season. Or, create your own line of ornaments or offer custom pieces for individuals or brands. Your options are endless!
#9 Teaching Calligraphy Workshops to Make Money as a Calligrapher
If you’re passionate about calligraphy and love sharing your skills with others, teaching workshops is another great way to make money. Offer classes in person or online, and start with beginner-level courses for those just starting out. Or, if you don’t want to offer individual attention, consider teaching your own individual style in a workbook like my own!
#10 Business to Business Services
I briefly mentioned offering live calligraphy at events above, but now let’s talk about another way to make money as a calligrapher: offering business-to-business services! Calligraphy can elevate the look of menus, event signs, and window displays for businesses. Reach out to local stores, restaurants, and other businesses to see if they could use your services. You can also offer your calligraphy services for custom branded greeting cards, or even envelope addressing for luxury brands considering sending out holiday cards!
Making Money as a Professional Calligrapher
As a calligrapher, I want you to know that there are so many ways to make money by using your skills and talent. From weddings to business events and beyond, the possibilities are endless. I genuinely hope this blog has inspired you to try out some of these different avenues for your business. And, if you’re looking for more guidance and support to grow your calligraphy business further, you can learn more about my calligraphy mentoring calls here. I love working for newer calligraphers who want customized advice on turning their passion into a business. After doing this full-time for the last 5 years, I would love to support you during the next stage of your business journey!
