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  • Welcome to TPK! This is your first of 2 free articles. For unlimited access to tutorials and articles, join TPK Premium for less than the cost of a latte.

    5 Free Lettering and Calligraphy Guidelines

    October 30, 2024

    by

    Lindsey Bugbee

    Calligraphy, Free Printables, Roundup

    The TPK website is home to five free printable lettering and calligraphy guidelines. The guidelines are versatile and handy: you can use them to make orderly envelopes, practice your skills, or use them for projects like quote artwork!

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    Calligraphy Guidelines | The Postman's Knock
    I recommend reading this article to learn about how to draw calligraphy guidelines (and what they’re for).

    With so many resources on the TPK website, it’s easy to overlook some helpful gems. To make it easier, I occasionally compile a few highlights. Today, I’m focusing on free lettering and calligraphy guidelines. TPK worksheets always come with guidelines, but you’ll also find a variety of free guideline printables on the site. Here’s a list, in no particular order:

    1. “Perfect Envelope” Calligraphy Guidelines

    The Perfect Calligraphy Envelope Generator

    These calligraphy guidelines are fabulous for right-leaning, neat letters (like Janet Style or Flourish Formal Style). I like that the guideline trios are pretty close together on this guideline sheet. As a result, you may have some descenders that intersect ascenders on the next line, but I like that look. Here’s an example of what an envelope with these guidelines might look like:

    Perfectly centered pointed pen calligraphy envelope

    DOWNLOAD THESE GUIDELINES

    2. Name Emphasis Calligraphy Guidelines

    I love these calligraphy guidelines because they emphasize the recipient’s name(s) with a larger size. I usually use this template with Janet Style calligraphy (as shown below), but any style will work. For the sake of versatility, this template does not include slant lines. If you find slant lines helpful, please feel free to draw them in yourself.

    Calligraphy Guidelines | The Postman's Knock

    Here’s an example of wedding envelopes that I calligraphed using this guidelines template:

    Janet Style Calligraphy Envelopes | The Postman's Knock
    I used Janet Style calligraphy and iron gall ink to make these lovely envelopes. The A7 envelopes are “Paper Bag” from Paper Source.

    DOWNLOAD THESE GUIDELINES

    3. Christmas Tree Envelope Art Guidelines

    I developed these guidelines for the Christmas Tree Envelope Art Tutorial. The spacing is similar to the “Name Emphasis Calligraphy Guidelines”, but this guidelines sheet includes an extra space at the top for a “Ms.”, “Mrs.”, or “Mr.”

    Christmas Tree Holiday Envelope Art Tutorial | The Postman's Knock

    Once you fill in the guidelines and work some pointed pen magic, you could end up with an envelope that looks like this:

    Christmas Tree Holiday Envelope Art Tutorial | The Postman's Knock
    For exact instructions over how to make envelope art like this, see this tutorial.

    DOWNLOAD THESE GUIDELINES

    4. Hand-Lettering Guidelines Template

    This guidelines template is a little bit different than the rest of the printables on this list because you cut guided rectangles out of it. Then, you write the recipient’s address is in all-caps lettering style (I like George or Stitches) inside of the rectangles!

    Hand Lettering Guidelines Free Printable Template

    Remove the template, and the result will look something like this:

    Hand Lettering Guidelines Free Printable Template
    DOWNLOAD THE TEMPLATE

    5. Calligraphy Exemplar Guidelines

    If you want to make your own calligraphy style exemplar, these guidelines sheets should help a lot! One version includes slant lines, while the other does not.

    How to Make a Calligraphy Exemplar | The Postman's Knock
    It will be easiest to use these calligraphy exemplar guidelines with the help of a light box.

    DOWNLOAD THE GUIDELINES


    Premium Upgrade Option: Practice Guidelines Collection (7 Pages)

    Blank guidelines with slant lines are versatile because you can write on them to practice your calligraphy or lettering! As long as you print them out on 32# laserjet paper, you should have a great writing experience. This set of seven pages is available for a nominal fee.

    Free Lettering and Calligraphy Guidelines for TPK Subscribers | The Postman's Knock

    The collection includes seven guideline printables that you can use for general practice or for projects. It’s totally up to you!

    Free Lettering and Calligraphy Guidelines for TPK Subscribers
    I used the guidelines in this packet to make the calligraphy for the Intermediate Modern Calligraphy Online Course.

    Remember, if none of the guideline templates in this article quite do it for you, it’s easy to make your own! With the help of a pencil and a parallel glider, you’ll be well on your way to orderly lettering nirvana. It’s my hope, however, that at least one of these printouts helps you to practice your calligraphy or make a cool project! And remember, if you need guided practice, there are plenty of free worksheets here on TPK.

    Thank you and enjoy,

    You can preorder "The Calligraphy Book" today.

    *This post contains affiliate links to Amazon

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About The Postman’s Knock (TPK)

Hi, I’m Lindsey Bugbee, the illustrator, calligrapher, and author behind The Postman’s Knock (TPK). Since 2012, the TPK Blog has been a vibrant creative space filled with tutorials and lessons on modern calligraphy, hand lettering, and illustration. After publishing The Calligraphy Book, I wanted to elevate the quality of content even further—so I launched TPK Premium. You can join here to receive access to some of the internet’s best creative inspiration and project tutorials.

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90 responses

  1. Joanne Avatar
    Joanne
    October 19, 2020

    Thank you so much for this!!! I’ve been looking for tutorials like this to learn calligraphy with during this time of pandemic-induced isolation. I can’t wait to start!

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      October 27, 2020

      My pleasure! Such a perfect time to start 😊

      Log in to Reply
  2. Wendy Avatar
    Wendy
    October 19, 2020

    Very nice guidelines! Very useful!

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      October 27, 2020

      I’m so glad to hear that!

      Log in to Reply
  3. Nat Avatar
    Nat
    October 19, 2020

    So useful, thank you!

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      October 27, 2020

      Of course! So glad to hear that!

      Log in to Reply
  4. Debra Healy Avatar
    Debra Healy
    October 19, 2020

    Thank you for sharing your beautiful work and artistry. Very helpful and inspiring.

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      October 27, 2020

      Of course! I’m so glad you think so 😊

      Log in to Reply
  5. Joan Lopez Avatar
    Joan Lopez
    October 19, 2020

    Such creativity!

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      October 27, 2020

      Thank you 😊

      Log in to Reply
  6. Lena Wessel Avatar
    Lena Wessel
    October 19, 2020

    Thanks for compiling all of these! It will be super helpful 🙂

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    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      October 27, 2020

      My pleasure 😊

      Log in to Reply
  7. SK Avatar
    SK
    October 19, 2020

    these guidelines were very helpful, thankyou. it really helped me overcome my fears.

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      October 27, 2020

      It can be scary at first! I’m so glad they helped 😊

      Log in to Reply
  8. Nichole Young Avatar
    Nichole Young
    October 19, 2020

    These are incredibly helpful! I can’t wait to use them. Thank you for these wonderful resources.

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      October 27, 2020

      Of course! I’m glad they were helpful 😊

      Log in to Reply
  9. Alan Shabu Avatar
    Alan Shabu
    October 19, 2020

    Thank you for sharing these!
    I love how you pay attention to intricate details in drills, be it for a novice or for experienced ones(like drills for spooky art). The fundamentals are important, you make it interesting with exemplars, templates, and more.
    I get excited to try out new stuff when you update your blog posts, and when it arrives at my inbox. Lindsey, I don’t feel left out in my calligraphy journey. Your guidance is unmatched. Much Love!

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      October 27, 2020

      I’m so happy to hear that, Alan! Thank you so much 😊

      Log in to Reply
  10. lexieken Avatar
    lexieken
    October 19, 2020

    Thank you so so much for not only making these available, but SO many of them! I’ve been writing letters more and more now with the pandemic and these are going to help me up my game.

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      October 27, 2020

      Absolutely 😊 I’m so happy you’re enjoying!

      Log in to Reply
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There is nothing like a clean, well-organized wate There is nothing like a clean, well-organized watercolor chart. I used to make watercolor chart layouts using math and grids (which, trust me, was painful for someone like me, who doesn’t *love* numbers/measuring/calculations) ... then it occurred to me that I could use Photoshop to give myself a little boost. Much less math and fretting, which for me equals much more joy! Palette is from @greenleafblue — she made it so I could have a gorgeous palette for “The Calligraphy Book”, and this color chart definitely helped to boost the aesthetic of an already stunning supply. 🎨😍

If you’re curious about this technique for making a watercolor chart, you can search the TPK website for “watercolor chart” ... there’s a detailed blog post over how to use the template method that I’m showing you here!

#watercolorpalette #watercolorchart #colorchart #watercolorpaints #artchart
An X-Acto knife (aka a hobby knife) is one of thos An X-Acto knife (aka a hobby knife) is one of those tools that is indispensable for a lot of applications. It was designed to make precise cuts, which, of course, it does well! But, you can also use it to scrape off unwanted ink smears (pro tip: after the fact, you can smooth disturbed paper fibers with a pebble), create interesting interior cuts, trim tiny details that scissors can’t reach, make stencils and templates, refine collage elements, and gently correct small drawing or calligraphy mistakes.

I have used X-Acto knives for many TPK Blog tutorials, but up until last week, I’d never written a guide that puts the X-Acto knife front and center. That guide now exists, and you can find it by visiting the link 🔗 in my profile. Be sure to watch the tutorial video!

#xactoknife #hobbyknife #papercutting #papercutart #xactoknifeart
Just back in the TPK Supplies Shop: Finetec Arabic Just back in the TPK Supplies Shop: Finetec Arabic Gold watercolor pans (and the fabulous Finetec Golds palette). ✨ Gold makes *anything* gorgeous, but use it to make a calligraphy medallion, and it’s just next-level. 🤩 (Tutorial for this particular medallion can be found in the Dancing Pen Calligraphy Medallions Worksheet Set). 

To find the golds + the worksheet, visit the link in my bio, then navigate to “Shop”. Happy weekend! 

#goldcalligraphy #goldwatercolor #pointedpencalligraphy #fineteccoliro #goldcalligraphy
Hard to fit everything in, but this was 2025 in a Hard to fit everything in, but this was 2025 in a nutshell at TPK! 🥜

This year, I loved teaching at @thehappyevercrafter’s Workshop Week and participating in @calmingcalligraphy’s World Calligraphy as Meditation Day. And seeing the TPK calligraphy kit featured in @newyorkermag’s 2025 holiday gift guide was an unexpected (and delightful) cherry on top! 🍒

So much of what happened over the past year, though, was shaped by the TPK Premium community. Their questions and feedback helped guide Hand Lettering 101, while their encouragement fueled tutorials on topics ranging from turning red wine into calligraphy ink to illustrating recipes, painting with a wedge brush, and creating greeting cards and envelope art. 💌 That same support made it possible to create new worksheets and resources that others were able to enjoy as well, which I’m very grateful for. 

For a fuller recap (with helpful links and details) I shared a 2025 reflection on the TPK blog (link in bio).

#handlettering #gracefulenvelopecontest #pointedpencalligraphy #discordcommunity #calligraphyteacher
Which is your favorite koi-themed envelope? The fi Which is your favorite koi-themed envelope? The first one (A. Moreira), which was created as a prop for “The Calligraphy Book” ... *or* the second (Nigel Wright), which was created for the photographer who took pictures of the Moreira envelope for “The Calligraphy Book”? (When I heard how much Nigel had loved the first koi envelope, I made him his own variation!) 🎏

#mailart #snailmail #mailbox #snailmailrevolution #koiart
✨ A little comparison today … because not all ✨ A little comparison today ... because not all golds behave the same.

✦ Finetec gold → bright, cheerful, and versatile
✦ Greenleaf & Blueberry faux brass → softer, muted, and stunning
✦ Yasutomo pale gold → velvety, subtle shimmer with a sensible amount of sparkle

I love having all three on hand and choosing based on the feel I want for a project. It’s tough to go wrong! ✨

#moderncalligraphy #calligraphytools #goldink #watercolorcalligraphy #letteringcommunity mailart calligraphypractice artmaterials creativeprocess handlettering
🕊️ I originally made these printable tags for 🕊️ I originally made these printable tags for gifts … but now I want them everywhere. On presents 🎁, yes; but also tucked into snail mail, sprinkled across a holiday table with happy words written inside (“joy”, “love”, “peace”), or styled on a mantle for a cozy seasonal touch 🎄. They’re simple, charming, and versatile. Find them on the TPK Blog (link in bio)!

#thepostmansknock #printableart #giftwrappingideas #snailmaillove #happymail handillustrated holidaydetails paperlove creativegifting handlettering makersofinstagram stationeryaddict thoughtfuldetails slowdownandsendmail gifttags diygifttag giftwrapping giftpresentation handwrappedgift
I experimented with using the chic poppies techniq I experimented with using the chic poppies technique (see my reel from a couple of days ago) to make pretty stationery. LOVE how it turned out! The poppies are just an elegant way to add personality and elegance to any paper good. If you’re a TPK Premium member, *definitely* check out Lesson 6 of the Beginner’s Modern Calligraphy Online Course (2025 version). In it, you’ll find a detailed video demonstration that shows you how to bring these poppies to life! ✍️

#stationery #diystationery #floralillustration #penandink #handdrawn #drawing #painting #sumiink #snailmail #mail #mailart #snailmailrevolution #happymail #mailbox #calligraphy #pointedpen #dippen #rosegoldsumi
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