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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.

    How to Make a Calligraphy Exemplar (Includes Free Printables)

    June 1, 2018

    by

    Lindsey Bugbee

    Beginner’s Calligraphy, Calligraphy, Dip Pen Calligraphy, Free Printables, Printable Goodies, Tutorials, Worksheets

    There are several reasons to create calligraphy exemplars. First of all, they provide you with great writing practice! Second, they have the potential to challenge your creativity. Finally, once you’re finished, you can reference the result over and over to remind you what the letters in a certain calligraphy or lettering style look like!

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    How to Make a Calligraphy Exemplar | The Postman's Knock

    When I’m working on any sort of calligraphy project, I always keep a calligraphy exemplar at hand. Exemplars are good to have around just in case you forget how to make a particular letter in the calligraphy style that you’re using! In today’s tutorial, I’ll teach you how to make a calligraphy exemplar with the help of a printable shortcut.

    Why Make a Calligraphy Exemplar?

    In my experience, even if you came up with your own calligraphy style, it’s easy to forget what certain letters look like. If you make an exemplar, then you will always have a reference. Keep the calligraphy exemplar close as you undertake any calligraphy project, and you’ll know exactly what each letter should look like!

    How to Frame Artwork on the Cheap | The Postman's Knock
    I have a Janet Style calligraphy exemplar displayed on the wall to the right of my desk. I look up at it every time I forget what a certain letter looks like!

    Of course, making a calligraphy exemplar also provides you with good practice — and it can challenge you to come up with a new alphabet!

    How to Make a Calligraphy Exemplar

    When I first started planning out this blog post, I intended to give detailed instructions on how to draw out an exemplar from scratch. This involves a ruler, a pencil, and — my personal deterrent — a ton of math. After writing out a draft paragraph with measurements, I realized that it would be much easier for both of us if I just made a printable for you in Photoshop! So, before you do anything, print out the free Calligraphy Exemplar Template.

    How to Make a Calligraphy Exemplar | The Postman's Knock
    I created two calligraphy exemplar templates for this tutorial. The one with the 55 degree slant lines (shown) is great for calligraphy, and the one without slant lines is best for lettering and more modern/upright calligraphy styles. You can find both by clicking here.

    Next, put the template under a piece of 32# laserjet paper. Place both pieces of paper on a light box, and you’ll notice that the template shines right up through the top sheet of paper!

    How to Make a Calligraphy Exemplar | The Postman's Knock
    If you want to know more about light boxes, check out the Do You Need a Light Box? post.

    Now, start to write the uppercase letters of your exemplar on the top line. Try to center the letters over the dots on the exemplar.

    How to Make a Calligraphy Exemplar | The Postman's Knock
    The dots on the exemplar will help you to achieve even spacing between the letters.
    How to Make a Calligraphy Exemplar | The Postman's Knock
    You’ll end up with seven uppercase letters on each of the first three lines, and five on the fourth line.

    Now, continue to write all the lowercase letters of the alphabet. You may want to write special characters after “z”, such as “&” and “?”.

    How to Make a Calligraphy Exemplar | The Postman's Knock
    Feel free to use the extra dots on the last line for special characters!

    Upon writing the last special character, you’ll be rewarded with a complete calligraphy exemplar that will serve you well for years to come!

    How to Make a Calligraphy Exemplar | The Postman's Knock
    This elegant calligraphy is Janet Style! You can learn how to make it with the Janet Style worksheet set.

    Things to Note

    First of all, you don’t necessarily need a light box to tackle this tutorial. Check out the Do You Need a Light Box? post for alternative suggestions! Second, you can use this tutorial for practically any calligraphy or hand-lettering style. I’d use the exemplar template with slant lines for calligraphy, and the exemplar template without slant lines for hand-lettering.

    "George Style" Printable Hand-Lettering Exemplar | The Postman's Knock
    You can use the exemplar template to make hand-lettering exemplars, too! This is George Style Lettering. For tips on coming up with your own lettering style, check out How to Develop an Artistic Hand-Lettering Style.

    If you’re stumped on which calligraphy style to use to make your calligraphy exemplar, you’re always welcome to use one of the TPK Learn Calligraphy worksheet styles. If you’d like to come up with your own style, try using the Creative Calligraphy Challenge worksheet. You may write a letter that you love, and then you can base an entire calligraphy style around that one letter!

    A Creative Calligraphy Challenge | The Postman's Knock
    The Creative Calligraphy Challenge worksheet provides a good exercise in coming up with different styles of letters.

    It’s also worth mentioning that you can write directly on one of the calligraphy exemplar templates if you want to. It won’t be as aesthetically pleasing, but that doesn’t affect your exemplar’s functionality!


    I hope that this post helps you to make your own calligraphy exemplar! If you have a light box, the project should only take a few minutes. Remember, you can find the free printable exemplar templates by clicking here. If you have any questions or observations, I always welcome comments! I also love to see the results of your work on Instagram; you can tag me at @thepostmansknock. Thanks so much for reading TPK, and have a fantastic weekend!

    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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57 responses

  1. mojaned Avatar
    mojaned
    June 2, 2018

    Thank you for the free templates and the awesome giveaway!

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  2. Kelley H. Avatar
    Kelley H.
    June 2, 2018

    Love the cards and love the printables. Always helpful. Thanks, Lindsey!

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  3. Anisa Avatar
    Anisa
    June 2, 2018

    I never knew I needed an exemplar until I read this! I always love developing new and creative hand-lettering for myself.

    Log in to Reply
  4. Elizabeth Snyder Avatar
    Elizabeth Snyder
    June 2, 2018

    Thanks for all of your blogs. I look forward to receiving them. I also shop at Two Hands Paperie. It’s a favorite for classes as well! Would love to meet one day.

    Log in to Reply
  5. Monica Bernpaintner Avatar
    Monica Bernpaintner
    June 2, 2018

    I’m still trying to find my favorite calligraphy combos. Thank you for guiding me!

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  6. Michelle Rae Avatar
    Michelle Rae
    June 2, 2018

    Thank you for offering the free printables! They are so helpful to a beginner like myself. Your blog is full of information and inspires me to keep learning and practicing this art.

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  7. Julie Mushkin Avatar
    Julie Mushkin
    June 2, 2018

    Do you only use #32 laser jet paper? What about a Rhodia pad? Which paper do you prefer for projects with watercolor?

    I love your blog! Your work inspires my own often.

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    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      June 16, 2018

      Hi Julie! I usually use 32# laserjet because it’s so cost-effective and plentiful. 🙂 I do have Rhodia pads, but generally only use them to write letters to friends since it’s such a quality lined paper. However, lots of people use Rhodia pads for practice! For watercolor projects, I like 140 lb. watercolor paper. My favorite brand is Strathmore!

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  8. Linda Suppan Avatar
    Linda Suppan
    June 2, 2018

    Thanks for the great printable. I am challenged to see the calligraphy, as I am mostly focused on improving my daily handwriting right now. Your posts have given me some good ideas. The exemplar idea is excellent. Just last night I noticed I formed a letter several different ways… And then could not recall “the proper” way, nor if I had chosen to tweak it to “my” way. Handwriting not being such a stickler for a particular form.

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  9. gsrottier Avatar
    gsrottier
    June 2, 2018

    Thanks Lindsey for the free printable. I’m falling behind on my “Garden” drills, but now have lots to do through the winter!

    Log in to Reply
  10. Jackie Avatar
    Jackie
    June 2, 2018

    Thank you for offering this awesome giveaway !

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Loved chatting with @sdionbakerdesign and @greenle Loved chatting with @sdionbakerdesign and @greenleafblue last Friday! Samantha is exactly as thoughtful and creative as you’d imagine from her Draw Your… books — and this answer to Jennifer’s question says it all. ✨ Just have fun and make art!

☕ Want to watch/listen to the whole conversation? Head over to the TPK Blog to hit play on the recording! (Link in bio, then navigate to “Blog”.)

#artistchat #artist #samanthadionbaker #greenleafandblueberry #thepostmansknock #arttalk #creativity #sketchbooking #sketchbook #artadvice
My seven-year-old and I have officially entered th My seven-year-old and I have officially entered the @edward.gorey.house envelope art contest! 🎃 My design leans a bit more macabre, while my son’s is, well, gory. (Venus flytraps are apparently no joke.) Visit the TPK Blog to see my process — I love to start with a Procreate draft and take it from there. 

This is a great little contest, and, while it runs through December, it’s *especially* fun to work on this time of year. 👻 My kid and I both thoroughly enjoyed making our masterpieces! If you find yourself with some time in the next couple of months, make your own envelope ... there will be more than one winner! 🥇

#edwardgorey #envelopeart #mailart #kidsart #halloweenart #halloweenmail #envelope #snailmail #snailmailrevolution
Just added a new lesson to the Beginner’s Modern Just added a new lesson to the Beginner’s Modern Calligraphy Online Course! ✍️ In Lesson 3, you’ll find over three hours of instruction to get you extremely comfortable using the straight calligraphy pen. If you want to learn pointed pen calligraphy, *join us*! TPK Premium members have the exclusive and incredible opportunity to take this detailed course for $5/month. Link in bio for details!

#calligraphy #moderncalligraphy #pointedpencalligraphy #learncalligraphy #calligraphytips
Beautiful autumn leaves outside 🍂 inspire beaut Beautiful autumn leaves outside 🍂 inspire beautiful leaves inside ✨. You can find a tutorial over how to make this stunning bookmark in “The Calligraphy Book”. (Confession time: I don’t actually use this bookmark as a bookmark. It ended up being too pretty to be hiding inside a book! 🙈 Instead, I display it on my bulletin board.)

#bookmark #decoratedbookmark #autumnleaves #pointedpen #finetec #colirofinetec #metallicwatercolor
Which is your favorite? 👻 🍬 ✋ 🎃 Good Which is your favorite? 👻 🍬 ✋ 🎃 

Good news: whichever one you like best, you can learn how to create it in “Spellbound Strokes”, TPK’s Halloween 2025 worksheet set! The worksheet is available on the TPK site as of an hour ago. In it, you’ll learn how to create these fabulous Halloween-themed motifs ... and get plenty of calligraphy practice under your belt in the process. ✍️

For the worksheet link, see my stories today (10/9), or shoot me a DM. Happy Halloween, and enjoy!

#halloweencalligraphy #pointedpenpractice #pointedpen #dippen #halloweenart #macbeth
This is just as relaxing to watch as it is to wri This is just as relaxing to watch as it is to write. 🧘‍♀️ DM me for a link to a (free!) worksheet that teaches you how to write this loopy, modern quote. ✍️

#moderncalligraphy #learncalligraphy #calligraphy #handwritten #writingcalligraphy #pointedpencalligraphy #calligraphyvideo #tseliotquote
🎃 Halloween, TPK-style. ✍️ You can find ins 🎃 Halloween, TPK-style. ✍️ You can find instructions for making all of these project (and more!) on the TPK Blog and in TPK’s Halloween-themed worksheets. 🔗 Link in bio, then search for “Halloween” or just browse the Blog and Catalog!

#halloweencalligraphy #halloweenart #calligraphyprojects #halloweencraft #eleganthalloween
🤭 We’re ridiculous. Here’s the story: every 🤭 We’re ridiculous. Here’s the story: every month, @greenleafblue and I host a live creative coffee chat over Zoom for TPK Premium and G&B Patreon members — and we always include a giveaway. This time, we switched it up and picked the winner with a trivia question we made up on the fly. You can see how that went here!

✨ Watch the full chat on the TPK Blog (link in bio → “Blog”).

✨ Join us for the next coffee chat on October 17th by signing up for TPK Premium! I’m thrilled to announce that @sdionbakerdesign will be our special guest. (Her Patreon members can join, too!) And yes, there will be a giveaway. 🎁

👯‍♀️ Fun fact: Jess and I met as roommates studying art history in Paris + Florence way before The Postman’s Knock or Greenleaf & Blueberry existed. Over the years, we’ve nicknamed ourselves Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum, Lucy and Ethel… you get the idea. That familiarity definitely comes through in our chats.

#artistchat #artists #artsupplies #zoomchat #creativity #thepostmansknock #greenleafandblueberry
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