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Pointed pen calligraphy adds immediate elegance to greeting cards and envelopes. It can be scary knowing that your calligraphy will be the focal point of your piece, though! Next time you need to write out a greeting, whip out the Greeting Card Calligraphy “Cheat Sheet” + Worksheet. It will coach you through how to write…
I know that anyone who reads tutorials on the TPK blog is capable of creating eye-catching lettering. The blog is replete with calligraphy and lettering inspiration, and you’ve likely had a go at writing a lovely letter or two. No matter what your skill level, though, calligraphy is always easier when you have an exemplar. Today’s Greeting Card Calligraphy “Cheat Sheet” was designed to make your life easier when it comes to writing out elegant greetings.
The cheat sheet includes two versions — one formal, one casual — of four different greetings. The formal calligraphy style is embellished Janet Style calligraphy, and the casual style is Kaitlin Style calligraphy. The greetings include:
I’ve also provided you with one formal version of “Thinking of You”. (Sympathy cards are generally somber, which means that a casual version of “Thinking of You” calligraphy might be out of place.)
DOWNLOAD THE GREETING CARD CALLIGRAPHY CHEAT SHEET
You can use this cheat sheet one of two ways. Some people may prefer to use it solely as a reference, where you simply observe the calligraphy exemplar and the arrows/numbers. Then, you can use the calligraphy as an exemplar to write your greeting on a card, envelope, or note.
Other people will appreciate the practice aspect before going all-in to write the calligraphy on an official project. You can use the worksheet to trace over your chosen greeting twice, then try writing it yourself without any guides as a practice run. At that point, you should be ready to use the calligraphy on your project!
As far as using the Greeting Card Calligraphy Cheat Sheet itself: make sure you print it off on a paper like 32# HP Premium Laserjet. That paper is great for calligraphy practice! Just about any nib and ink combination will work to fill out the worksheet. In the photos for this article, I used iron gall ink and a Brause EF66 nib + oblique pen.
To make successful greeting cards, remember that pencil drafts are always a good idea! Since greetings are usually so short, drafts don’t take long to make. Likewise, pencil guidelines can facilitate good pencil drafts. Then, write over the draft in ink, and once the ink dries, you can erase your guidelines.
Finally, don’t write anything without warming up! A “cold” hand — one that hasn’t written calligraphy yet for the day — can result in shaky, sometimes unpredictable strokes. I’d recommend using today’s cheat sheet/worksheet to warm up for writing on a card, but this warm up worksheet is also a good option!
I hope that this cheat sheet helps you with many greeting cards to come, especially as we approach the holiday season! Enjoy, and have a wonderful weekend.
Warmly,
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