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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.

    White and Gold Flourished Envelope Calligraphy Tutorial

    December 27, 2022

    by

    Lindsey Bugbee

    Mail Art, Tutorials

    This flourished white and gold envelope calligraphy is simple, gorgeous, and so much fun to make! I encourage you to try this tutorial next time you want to create effortlessly elegant and artistic calligraphy.

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    White and Gold Envelope Calligraphy Tutorial

    White and gold is the ultimate festive calligraphy combination! White calls to mind snow, and gold sparkles like candles in an inviting window. Today, I’m going to show you how to to create this flourished gold and white envelope calligraphy so you can make fun mail art, too.

    White and Gold Envelope Calligraphy Tutorial

    1. Gather Your Supplies

    Before you can get started, you’ll need to compile a few supplies:

    • Brown envelope
    • Arabic Gold watercolor
    • White ink
    • White mechanical pencil
    • Calligraphy pen fitted for Brause EF66 nib (I used an oblique pen.)
    • Black eraser

    2. Make White Pencil Guidelines

    Use your white mechanical pencil to freehand draw a set of three guidelines like the ones shown below. All of these guidelines should be wavy and (mostly) parallel to one another.

    Making White Pencil Guidelines
    The number of guidelines that you draw should equal the number of address lines that you plan to write. This is an international address, so I made several lines.

    3. Add Gold Calligraphy

    Get out your gold watercolor and moisten it with a bit of water. Let the water sit for 30 seconds to a minute before you use a paintbrush to mix the watercolor into an ink.

    Finetec Arabic Gold Watercolor Pan
    For tips on using metallic watercolors for calligraphy, check out this article!

    Next, use a paintbrush to apply gold to the back of your nib (as explained in this tutorial). Then, use Kaitlin Style calligraphy to write the address on your guidelines.

    Writing Gold Calligraphy

    Continue writing until you have written the entire address. Then, go through and put in some additional flourishes here and there to fill up space.

    Wait for your ink to dry (it should only take a couple of minutes), then use a black eraser to erase any pencil guidelines. Apply a postage stamp to the upper right portion of the envelope, then add more flourishes to the envelope to fill in negative space.

    Gold Envelope Calligraphy
    It’s best to apply a postage stamp at this point so you can make flourishes to frame it. If you’re new to flourishing, check out this article!

    4. Add White Accents

    Now, add a bit of water to your Bleed Proof White ink (as per this article), and use your ink to add accents to the flourishes you drew. Try to draw in a complementary downstroke wherever your original flourishes have downstrokes.

    Adding Bleed Proof White to the Envelope

    At this stage, your envelope will look something like this one:

    White and Gold Envelope Calligraphy Tutorial

    Once you’ve finished accenting your existing flourishes, go through and add just a couple of standalone white pen strokes.

    White and Gold Envelope Calligraphy Tutorial

    5. Enjoy Your White and Gold Envelope Calligraphy

    Once your white ink has dried, the white and gold envelope calligraphy is ready to send! Remember, Finetec is watercolor, so if you’re worried about moisture damage, you can always give the envelope a quick waterproofing before it leaves your desk.

    White and Gold Envelope Calligraphy Tutorial

    I hope that you enjoyed this tutorial over how to make this fun white and gold envelope calligraphy! It’s a great vehicle for sending New Year’s greetings, and it offers a good opportunity to flex your flourishing muscle.

    Thanks a million for reading! I hope that you had a relaxing holiday, and that you’re gearing up for a fun and festive New Year.

    Warmly,

    Lindsey's Signature | The Postman's Knock

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About the author

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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4 responses

  1. Drive Mad Avatar
    Drive Mad
    April 4, 2023

    I have the same query! I wish I could send something similar!

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    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      April 7, 2023

      You most definitely could! I encourage you to give it a shot!

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  2. libbyann721 Avatar
    libbyann721
    October 12, 2021

    Same question here! I’d love to send something like this!

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  3. bcimci Avatar
    bcimci
    August 12, 2020

    Hi Lindsey!
    Are there rules to make sure the postal service can read the address when decorating envelopes with elaborate calligraphy? I am afraid to do something wrong and have my letters not arrive.
    Thanks!

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TPK’s calligraphy starter kit was just featured TPK’s calligraphy starter kit was just featured in @newyorkermag’s “A Holiday Gift Guide: Treasures That Are Old, or Old at Heart”. 🎁 I agree that it makes for a *fabulous* gift ... and it is the gift that keeps on giving, since your recipient will develop the skills to create all sorts of beautiful and satisfying projects. We’re talking gorgeous envelopes, frameable quotes that make a home feel cozy, place cards, sketchbook pages, family trees ... there are a lot of possibilities (and tutorials for those possibilities can be found on the TPK Blog)!

To get a kit, visit the link in my bio and navigate to the “SHOP” tab. If you buy a kit as a gift, let me know right after placing your order (lindsey@thepostmansknock.com). Be sure to tell me your recipient’s name, and I’ll be glad to include instructions for them over how to enroll in the Beginner’s Modern Calligraphy Online Course, which comes with the $125 kit option. ✍️ Happy holidays! 

#thepostmansknock #tpk #calligraphy #moderncalligraphy #calligraphycommunity #calligraphypractice #calligraphytools #calligraphyset #calligraphykit #giftguide #holidaygiftguide #newyorkermag #smallbusinesslove #shopsmall #makersgonnamake #creativegifts #handmadegifts #artgifts #artsupplies #stationerylove #snailmailrevival #envelopecalligraphy #learncalligraphy #artistsontiktok #creativeprocess #holidayseason #giftideas2024
✨Chic Inky Poppies Mail Art✨ – This inky poppy ✨Chic Inky Poppies Mail Art✨ - This inky poppy motif is one of my all-time favorites for filling blank space with drama and elegance. To make it, you use dark ink smudges, loose leaves, and airy petals to build a border that looks intricate but comes together quickly. My go-tos for this style are sumi ink and a touch of gold watercolor for warmth. 

Want to try it yourself? Visit the TPK website (link in bio) and search for “Chic Inky Poppies Mail Art Tutorial.” Happy creating! 🌸🖋️

#thepostmansknock #tpk #mailart #mailartideas #envelopeart #snailmailrevival #snailmailing #snailmailart #envelopecalligraphy #calligraphycommunity #calligraphypractice #pointedpencalligraphy #moderncalligraphy #sumiink #goldwatercolor #penandink #creativeprocess #creativemail #illustrationart #papercraft #stationerylove #artistsoninstagram #artreels #calligraphyreels #mailartreels
✍️ There’s a fresh addition to the TPK Catal ✍️ There’s a fresh addition to the TPK Catalog: The Graceful Ballerina Calligraphy Drill Worksheet 

This ballerina is unique among TPK calligraphy drills in that it’s really not that complicated. After a few simple loops, a flourished tutu, and long strokes to make the legs, you have, well, a ballerina! 🩰 The most difficult part is getting the outline right; but even that isn’t too bad because you’ve got a traceable outline included in your worksheet set.

The beauty of the flourished ballerina? She makes *anything* look elegant: cards, envelopes, gift tags, whatever. My recommendation is to feature her on your next envelope. She’ll add a “wow” factor and allow you to left-justify the address, which is always a relief (no need to bother with centering)!

To find her, visit the link in my bio, then navigate to the Blog!

#thepostmansknock #tpk #calligraphy #calligraphydrills #calligraphyworksheet #moderncalligraphy #pointedpen #pointedpencalligraphy #calligraphypractice #flourishing #flourishedart #mailart #snailmail #envelopeart #envelopecalligraphy #handlettering #creativeprocess #artistsoninstagram #balletart #ballerinadrawing #ballerinaart #inkdrawing #calligraphycommunity #stationerylove #letterwritersalliance #penandink #calligraphyinspiration #learncalligraphy #artistlife #creativeplay
✨I’ve been making these little calligraphy Chr ✨I’ve been making these little calligraphy Christmas trees for years. They’re a go-to whenever I need a quick gift tag, envelope flourish, or something festive that doesn’t require a whole afternoon.

They look fancy, but they’re really just simple strokes stacked in different patterns. Truly: once you get the rhythm down, you can make a tree in under 30 seconds. 🎄 

If you want to try them (there are six styles!), the tutorial is on the TPK Blog, and it’s called
“6 Simple Ways to Make a Calligraphy Christmas Tree.” Feel free to google it, or visit: thepostmansknock.com/6-simple-ways-to-make-a-calligraphy-christmas-tree/

It’s very beginner-friendly, video-based, and a great way to get some creativity in during a busy season. I hope you love it as much as I do. 💛

#calligraphy #moderncalligraphy #holidaycalligraphy #calligraphyart #creativelifehappylife #christmascrafts #holidaycrafts #giftwrappingideas #diychristmas #christmascards #calligraphytutorial #finetec #metallicwatercolor #papercrafts #creativepractice #thepostmansknock #holidayinspiration #blackandgold #christmasideas #holidayideas
🎁 These printable gift tags are one of my favor 🎁 These printable gift tags are one of my favorite free printables on the TPK site. Just download, print, cut them out, and — if you want to — reinforce them with a bit of cardstock.

Inside the PDF you’ll find four designs: Festive Frida, Flourished Tree, Pine Boughs, and Merry & Bright. They’re all hand-drawn, and they make even the simplest wrapping look bespoke and artistic. 🎨 

Pro tip: If you’ve got a bit of extra time, add a pop of watercolor or some gold dots; and consider mounting the tag on a contrasting piece of cardstock for extra oomph.

They’re free to download at: thepostmansknock.com/free-super-cool-hand-drawn-printable-gift-tags/ (or visit the link in my stories today). Happy holidays!

#handdrawn #gifttags #printablegifttags #freeprintables #holidayprintables #christmascrafts #holidaygifts #papercrafts #snailmailinspo #mailart #creativegiftwrapping #diyholiday #diygifttags #artistsoninstagram #illustrationartists #thepostmansknock #tpkcommunity #calligraphycommunity #stationerylove #creativecommunity
There’s something extra fun about a card that do There’s something extra fun about a card that doesn’t just open … it comes to life. ✨ This little stand-up tree might look fancy, but it’s totally approachable — relaxing to make, satisfying to embellish, and (my favorite part) it folds up perfectly to pop in the mail. 💌🎄

If you’re looking for a holiday project that feels creative and doable, this is *such* a good one. The printable template does half the work for you, and you can customize the rest with flourishes, white ink, ornaments, or whatever feels festive to you.

The full step-by-step tutorial is waiting for you on the TPK website; just head to the link in my bio and tap “Blog.” I think you’ll have as much fun making this as I did. ❤️

#calligraphy #calligraphytutorial #holidaycalligraphy #flourishedcalligraphy #moderncalligraphy #calligraphycommunity #calligraphypractice #calligraphyart #letteringcommunity #letteringart #papercraft #papercrafting #diycards #handmadecards #holidaycards #christmascards #christmascrafts #snailmail #snailmailrevolution #snailmaillove #creativecommunity #stationerylove #makersgonnamake #thepostmansknock
I love it when I can make simple pointed pen pract I love it when I can make simple pointed pen practice on cardstock ... and it magically turns into a festive card! Find instructions + a printable template for making this “Loop-de-Loop” tree in the TPK 2025 Holiday Calligraphy Worksheet set. 🎄 (Link in bio, then navigate to the Blog!)

#pointedpen #calligraphy #calligraphypractice #pointedpenpractice #holiday #christmastree #treedrawing #doodles #goldwatercolor
Every November since 2016, I’ve looked forward t Every November since 2016, I’ve looked forward to sitting down with a cup of something warm ☕️ and sketching out ideas for the TPK holiday worksheet. This year was no exception, and I think you’ll be pleased with the motifs! They’re designed to bring calm, beauty, and (sneaky) pointed pen practice to your holiday season. 🎄Visit the TPK Blog (link in bio, then navigate to Blog) for details!
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