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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 Happy Birthday Envelope

    June 7, 2022

    by

    Lindsey Bugbee

    Birthday Cards, Dip Pen Calligraphy, Tutorials, Video

    Next time you need to make a happy birthday envelope for a card, look no further than this tutorial!

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    How to Make a Calligraphy Happy Birthday Envelope

    A calligraphy happy birthday envelope builds anticipation for the card inside! Today, I’ll walk you through how to write a simple and pretty greeting that features white calligraphy with gold accents.


    Written Tutorial

    1. Gather Your Supplies

    To get started, you’ll need a few key supplies. Feel free to make modifications or substitutions to the list below!

    The Perfect Calligraphy Envelope Generator
    TPK’s Perfect Calligraphy Envelope Generator is a free printable that will come in handy for a variety of projects.
    • The Perfect Calligraphy Envelope Generator (printed on any paper)
    • Dark Envelope (I used an A2 envelope in “Ebony Black”)
    • White pencil
    • Black eraser
    • White ink
    • Gold watercolor
    • Brause EF66 nib + oblique pen
    • Parallel glider or a regular ruler

    2. Make a Pencil Draft

    First, use a ruler, a white pencil, and The Perfect Calligraphy Envelope Generator to make a pair of guidelines. Be sure to draw slant lines, too! Then, write “Happy Birthday” on the top line and your recipient’s name on the bottom line.

    Calligraphy Happy Birthday Envelope
    If you want some practice writing  “Happy Birthday”, you can download the Free Greeting Card Calligraphy Cheat Sheet + Worksheet.

    3. Add Ink

    Next, use your favorite pen + nib combination and white ink to write over your pencil draft.

    Calligraphy Happy Birthday Envelope
    I like to use a Brause EF66 nib + an oblique pen to write in elegant, right-leaning calligraphy.

    4. Add Gold Accents

    Now, give the calligraphy just a bit of glittery personality by “hugging” some of the strokes with gold watercolor.

    Calligraphy Happy Birthday Envelope
    If you’re not sure how to write with gold watercolor, see this tutorial.

    5. Erase Pencil Guidelines and Enjoy!

    Finish up by using a black eraser to erase your pencil lines. Be gentle! Sometimes white ink will smear if you go over it too aggressively.

    How to Make a Calligraphy Happy Birthday Envelope
    I tucked this happy birthday envelope — with a gift certificate inside — into a calligraphy starter kit and sent it to Daisy at her mother’s request.

    I hope that this tutorial comes in handy next time you want to create a lovely birthday card presentation! Thanks very much for watching/reading, and enjoy the rest of your day.

    Warmly,

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Sketchbooking

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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Previous post: Not Your Average Father’s Day Card Tutorial
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3 responses

  1. LadyBird Avatar
    LadyBird
    September 12, 2024

    Great Tips. Calligraphy can add such a personal touch to special occasions like birthdays!

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      October 28, 2024

      100%!

      Log in to Reply
  2. Jesika Parker Avatar
    Jesika Parker
    June 10, 2022

    I didn’t have any expectations concerning that title, but the more I was astonished. The author did a great job. I spent a few minutes reading and checking the facts. Everything is very clear and understandable. I like posts that fill in your knowledge gaps. This one is of the sort.

    Log in to Reply

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✨ If you’re familiar with @theworkshopweek, yo ✨ If you’re familiar with @theworkshopweek, you’ve probably wondered how @thehappyevercrafter pulls it off—especially as a mom of two littles! The event is a creative’s dream, and one of my favorite parts? You can enjoy it in your pajamas 👘☕️ (Let’s be real: most of my artwork happens while wearing extremely comfortable, extremely unflattering clothes.)

If you haven’t heard of Workshop Week, head to workshopweek.co immediately and sign up for FREE! 🎉 My workshop goes live Thursday, June 5 at 1 PM EDT. I’ll be in the chat while it streams, and afterwards, Becca and I will go live to chat about creativity, calligraphy, and anything else that comes up 💬🖋️

Bring your calligraphy supplies, your questions, and don’t forget to download + print the free Soaring Swallow Calligraphy Artwork + Drill worksheet in the supplies list ✨

#TPKCalligraphy #WorkshopWeek #CalligraphyWorkshop #CalligraphyCommunity #ModernCalligraphy #CalligraphyArt #CreativeLife #CalligraphyInspiration #ArtistLife #FreeWorkshop #CalligraphyPractice #Calligrafriends #SnailMailLove #SoaringSwallow #ThePostmansKnock #CalligraphyDrills
🎉 This month’s TPK Premium worksheet is a col 🎉 This month’s TPK Premium worksheet is a colorful tribute to creativity and culture! Meet Brillo Andino — a playful hand lettering style inspired by the rich design traditions of Peru 🇵🇪✨

As someone lucky enough to be connected to Peru through my husband, I’ve come to admire the country’s vibrant visual language. Every letter in this exemplar includes a subtle nod to Andean heritage—from Nazca-style spirals to corn motifs and tiny pan flutes woven into the forms. It’s whimsical, meaningful, and perfect for adding extra personality to mail art, sketchbook pages, or signs.

🖋️ Whether you follow the letter formation guide exactly or let it spark your own place-based alphabet, this worksheet is all about slowing down and savoring the creative process.

💌 Available now for TPK Premium members (just $5/month!) — visit the link in my bio and head to the “Brillo Andino Playful Peruvian Hand Lettering Worksheet” post. 🌄

#handlettering #calligraphypractice #peruvianinspired #brilloandino #tpkpremium #creativeinspo #mailart #playfullettering #slowcreativity
Earlier this month, my family and I took a trip to Earlier this month, my family and I took a trip to Lima, Peru—and this sketchbook page was my way of bottling it all up. The ceviche, the ocean views, the family time… I didn’t want to forget a second of it. 🐟🌊

If you’ve got a trip coming up—or even a favorite memory you want to hang on to—I made a blog tutorial to walk you through how to turn it into a page like this. It’s low-pressure, fun, and you’ll end up with something that feels like a little treasure. 🖌️

Click the link in bio and look for the “Travel Memories” blog post. I hope it gives you a spark!

#traveljournal #sketchbookinspiration #watercolorart #calligraphyart #thepostmansknock #limaperu #travelmemories
It’s Thursday, and this is your gentle reminder It’s Thursday, and this is your gentle reminder to slow down. ✨ There’s something spellbinding about gold ink flowing across black paper—especially with Enya in the background. 🚤 

Calligraphy isn’t just about pretty letters. It’s about breathing, focusing, and letting the rhythm of dip, write, repeat carry you into calm.

If you’ve been craving that kind of creative peace, there’s a whole world waiting for you at The Postman’s Knock (link in bio). Courses, worksheets, and tutorials—designed to challenge, to soothe, and to inspire.

#calligraphyvideo #pointedpen #moderncalligraphy #goldink #blackpaper #dippen #calligraphylove #calligraphyinspiration #calmingcontent #relaxingreel #asmrcalligraphy #thursdayvibes #slowmade #creativeflow #thepostmansknock
There’s a brand-new tutorial on the TPK Blog tod There’s a brand-new tutorial on the TPK Blog today (link in bio)! You’ll learn how to make this rugged little trifold card, complete with layered watercolor mountains and a calligraphy quote. 🏔 The concept was inspired by a gorgeous floral card from @fpmmac — I just reimagined it with a more outdoorsy feel. Per usual, I used my favorite @greenleafblue palette to paint these earthy, moody peaks. The colors make the whole project feel grounded and bold at the same time.

Full blog access is for TPK Premium members (starting at $5/month), but non-members can still view two articles/month — so you can absolutely check this one out! Every post takes me 2–3 days to create, and I fill them with clear instructions, helpful photos, and ideas you’ll actually want to try. If you like what you see, membership opens up 900+ tutorials/articles to explore!

#thepostmansknock #watercolorcard #diycardmaking #calligraphytutorial #watercolormountains #greenleafblue #handletteringlove #diygreetingcard #moderncalligraphy #watercolorart #creativeprojects #slowcreativeliving #tpkpremium #handmadecards #craftingjoy #cardtutorial #paintedgreetingcard
This little box has been starting calligraphy jour This little box has been starting calligraphy journeys since 2019—because it takes the guesswork out of getting started. ✨ Whether you’re brand new to calligraphy or coming back after a break, everything inside is designed to help you feel inspired, confident, and ready to create.

The workbook (and its accompanying video course!) gives you structure. The supplies are special and thoughtfully chosen. And the whole thing feels like an invitation to slow down and enjoy the process.

If you’ve been thinking about learning calligraphy—or gifting someone else the nudge to try—you can find the kit in the TPK Catalog now. Just click the link in bio and navigate to “Shop.”

#moderncalligraphy #calligraphykit #tpkstyle #learncalligraphy #calligraphyforbeginners #pointedpenlove #calligraphygiftideas #dippenlove
Sometimes, the best creative projects are the ones Sometimes, the best creative projects are the ones that don’t go exactly as planned. This tree art was made with watercolors and a straw—yes, a straw! The branches take shape as you blow paint across the page, and from there, it’s all about adding leaves and a few cheerful bluebirds. 🌿💙

This technique is relaxing, a little unpredictable, and really satisfying. I hope it gives you a gentle creative reset, especially if you’ve been deep in detail-heavy work lately. 💛

You can find the full tutorial on the blog (with video + step-by-step photos)—just search “Soothing Organic Tree Art” on thepostmansknock.com, or tap the link in bio!

#watercolortutorial #watercolorillustration #artproject #creativebreak #strawpainting #birdillustration #calligraphyandillustration #tpkstyle #slowcreativity #arttimelapse #artforkidsandadults #natureinspiredart
Something magical happens when you sit down with s Something magical happens when you sit down with someone who speaks your creative language ✨ That was definitely the case when my friend Jess of @greenleafblue joined me for a live chat with TPK Premium members! We talked about everything from watercolor quirks to sketchbooks as memory-keepers, creative balance, and the joy of going analog in a digital world.

Jess makes some of the most beautiful handmade watercolors you’ll ever find—but her real superpower might be how she talks about creativity with honesty and depth. I walked away from our conversation feeling grounded, inspired, and ready to make something. I think you will too.

🎧 You can listen to the conversation podcast-style or watch the full video—link in profile; then look for the May 13th article!

#greenleafandblueberry #watercolorpainting #sketchbookinspiration #creativelife #analogart #arttalk #artpodcast #tpkpremium #creativeprocess #makersgonnamake
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