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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.

    Three Ways to Make a Calligraphy Border Design

    January 24, 2023

    by

    Lindsey Bugbee

    Calligraphy, Flourishing, Mail Art, Tutorials, Video

    Looking for a way to make a blank page special? Try adding a calligraphy border design! Today, I’ll demonstrate three different motifs that come together in a matter of minutes.

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    Three Ways to Make a Calligraphy Border Design
    I used Bleed Proof White ink to create every border design in today’s tutorial. The envelopes are from Cards and Pockets (affiliate link).

    A calligraphy border design never fails to add an elegant touch to your work. Today, I’ll show you how to create three simple but intricate designs to frame your calligraphy or text. Grab your favorite pen and nib combination plus some paper, and let’s dive into the world of calligraphy border design!


    Cumulus Calligraphy Border Design

    Cumulus Calligraphy Border Design

    This calligraphy border design reminds me of fluffy cumulus clouds! In the video below, I’ll show you how to create it. For written instructions (with demonstration screenshot photos taken from the tutorial video), scroll on!

    1. Draw a Horseshoe

    First, use a pencil (or a white mechanical pencil) to draw a horseshoe shape in the upper left corner of your page.

    Making a White Mechanical Pencil Draft

    Then, add curlicues to either side of that horseshoe shape.

    Making a White Mechanical Pencil Draft

    2. Make “3”s

    Next, hook a number “3” with a loop in the center into the lower left part of the cloud. End the “3” with a descending tail. Then, do the same on the other side of the page. Finish up by using straight lines in an “L” shape to fill in the rest of the border.

    Making a White Mechanical Pencil Draft

    3. Add Ink

    Now, use the ink of your choice (I opted for Bleed Proof White) to go over your pencil draft.

    Cumulus Border Design

    4. Erase Pencil Guidelines

    Once your ink has completely dried, erase your pencil guidelines. Voilà! A sumptuous and pretty calligraphy border design.

    Cumulus Calligraphy Border Design


    Branches and Berries Calligraphy Border Design

    Branches and Berries Calligraphy Border Design

    The branches and berries border design is a whimsical and pretty creation. I’ll show you how to make it in the video below, but you can scroll on for written instructions, too:

    1. Draw Branch Skeletons

    Begin by drawing a curved line, then add several little lines coming off of that first line. Continue to do that, working your way around the perimeter of the page.

    Simple white illustrated branches

    2. Draw Leaves

    Now, add almond-shaped leaves to the end of each small line.

    Adding leaves to the branches

    3. Add Berries

    Finish up by adding a dot here and there to flesh out the border.

    Branches and Berries Border Design
    Even though it’s not very berry-like, I like to use gold watercolor to depict the little circles.

    And that’s all there is to it!

    Branches and Berries Decorated Border Design


    Flourish Frenzy Calligraphy Border Design

    Flourish Frenzy Calligraphy Border Design

    This calligraphy border design might look complicated, but it’s simple once you break it down! In the tutorial video below, I’ll show you how to draw it. For written instructions, scroll past the video.

    1. Make a Guide Circle

    Begin by using a pencil to draw an oval or a circle, depending on your page dimensions. Try your best to make sure that the circle is symmetrical.

    Pencil Oval Draft

    2. Make “Phone Cord” Loops

    Next, use your calligraphy pen to draw “phone cord” style loops. Alternate the height of the loops between tall and short.

    Phone Cord Loops on a Decorated Border

    3. Fill in the Negative Space

    Once the ink has dried, erase your pencil guidelines. Then, finish up by adding loops and curls in the negative space. There’s no rule about where to put the flourishes. Wherever you can fit them is perfect!

    Flourish Frenzy Decorated Border Design

    If you want to, you can add some dots (gold or silver!) to enhance the border, but I like it just like it is.

    "Flourish Frenzy" Calligraphy Border Design


    I hope that at least one of these three calligraphy border design tutorials tempts you to pick up your pen and create! Thanks so much for reading (and/or watching) today’s tutorials, and enjoy the rest of your week.

    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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112 responses

  1. Joan Avatar
    Joan
    January 31, 2023

    I appreciate these tutorials so much – and especially that you had photos and not just videos, because I struggle to be able to learn enough by watching but I really benefit from the photos!! (I like that you have both available!)

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    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      February 26, 2023

      I am glad that you like that aspect! Thank you for enjoying! I hope that they are helpful!

      Log in to Reply
  2. Cathy McAdams Avatar
    Cathy McAdams
    January 31, 2023

    You always make everything look so simple. Thank you for all you do to help us learn.

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    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      February 26, 2023

      It is my pleasure! I am so glad that I have helped you learn something!

      Log in to Reply
  3. L.j.Troyer Avatar
    L.j.Troyer
    January 31, 2023

    These ideas look fun to try! Thanks for the simple tutorial.

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    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      February 26, 2023

      Sure thing! I wish you the best of luck trying them out!

      Log in to Reply
  4. Martina Sattler Avatar
    Martina Sattler
    January 31, 2023

    Hi Lindsey, your tutorials show so well that small embellishments can make a big difference. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us. 🙂

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      February 26, 2023

      They sure can! I am so glad you find it helpful! I am so appreciative of the support!

      Log in to Reply
  5. Gayle Avatar
    Gayle
    January 31, 2023

    You make these designs look so approachable!

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    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      February 26, 2023

      They are! I encourage you to try it out! Good luck!

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  6. Rosetta H Avatar
    Rosetta H
    January 30, 2023

    I always get a personal call or text when friends and family receive my decorated envelopes. Mostly they tell me “I love it so much, I don’t want to throw it away!”
    Thanks Lindsey for your inspiration.

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      February 26, 2023

      That is so nice to hear! I am glad that you and your family and friends can enjoy a piece of the art I love most! Thank you for your support!

      Log in to Reply
  7. Susan Wetzel Avatar
    Susan Wetzel
    January 30, 2023

    Lovely ideas! Can’t wait to try them all.

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      February 26, 2023

      I hope that you do! Good luck!

      Log in to Reply
  8. Katie Avatar
    Katie
    January 30, 2023

    *happy sigh* This… this is the highlight of my day. I got Bleed-Proof White not long ago and haven’t used it yet because I wasn’t sure what to do first. And this lovely post popped into my inbox. ^_^ Lindsey, thank you for making lovely calligraphy and teaching others how to do the same! You make something that looks soooo complex seem doable and accomplish-able. Can’t wait to try these!

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      February 26, 2023

      Aw! That is so sweet of you! I am happy to be of service! Best of luck in your next project! 😊

      Log in to Reply
  9. sjramsay Avatar
    sjramsay
    January 30, 2023

    This looks fun!! Lindsey, thank you so much for your generosity over the years. Much love to you.

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      February 26, 2023

      My pleasure! I am so glad that you continue to enjoy! Thank you!

      Log in to Reply
  10. Diane Hartford-Schulert Avatar
    Diane Hartford-Schulert
    January 30, 2023

    Oh, how I love your beautiful work! Calligraphy is artistic and makes me feel like an artist–even though I’m not! My daughter is, however, and she can do anything she puts her mind and hands to,…so at least there are true Artists in my family and I can safely say “we ARE related!” Thanks for breaking things down,..that helps alot!

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      February 26, 2023

      Hi! I am so glad that you are enjoying! It makes me really happy to hear you are having such a positive experience! You can do more than you may think! Thank you for your support!

      Log in to Reply
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✍️ Lesson 2 of the brand-new Beginner’s Mode ✍️ Lesson 2 of the brand-new Beginner’s Modern Calligraphy Online Course just dropped! In it, we’ll take a deep dive into supplies and workspace setup. Then, we’ll do a little preliminary assignment. This clip was taken from the workspace video. In it, I’ll show you how I store my supplies and give you a tour of my workspace and how I set myself up for calligraphy creation success. (Literally: I show you everything, right down to where I put my iPad to keep a movie on in the background while I work.)

Link in bio to enroll in the course! If you’re not taking it, **do**!! It’s already got 3+ hours of video instruction in just two lessons.

#calligraphyadvice #moderncalligraphy #pointedpencalligraphy #artcreation #calligrapher #artstudio
I love watching project timelapses — like a comp I love watching project timelapses — like a complicated calligraphy or watercolor project coming together in a matter of seconds. A cleaning timelapse, then, is a no-brainer! My friend mentioned that she does these when she needs a little extra motivation to tidy up. I was totally feeling that this weekend, so I made a couple of these. The anticipation of knowing that I’d get to watch the room become neat in an instant was actually incredibly motivating. It’s the little things, right? 😉 #cleaningtimelapse #cleaning #tidyingup #neatandtidy
🖍️ We have a million crayons laying around be 🖍️ We have a million crayons laying around because my kids love to color (right now, their pages of choice are K-Pop Demon Hunter-themed). While I’m always down for some adult coloring, I also love to letter with crayons! In the latest TPK tutorial — link in bio — you’ll learn how to make this cozy ombré wax crayon calligraphy. 🍁 Switch up the color scheme if you’re not a pumpkin spice person! This technique looks great with light blue, dark blue, and dark purple; or light green, dark green, and dark blue. #crayoncalligraphy #crayolacrayons #waxcrayons #adultcoloring #autumnart #cozylettering #handlettering #lettering
A couple of days ago, I posted a clip from Lesson A couple of days ago, I posted a clip from Lesson 1 of the new Beginner’s Modern Calligraphy Online Course (seriously, join us — enrollment is a *steal* at $5/month, and you get complimentary tutorials [that happen to complement the course] — link in bio)! People seemed to like the story in that clip, so here’s another fun story from the same lesson. Sorry, I can’t confirm who the client was! That was a project with an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement). 🤐 Still: a very fun, very cool experience ... I’m grateful that calligraphy has given me cool adventures and connected me to such an amazing community. ✍️

#calligraphystory #moderncalligraphy #learncalligraphy #beginnercalligraphy #pointedpencalligraphy #calligraphy
Lesson 1 of TPK’s Beginner’s Modern Calligraph Lesson 1 of TPK’s Beginner’s Modern Calligraphy Online Course doesn’t actually start with the pointed pen! ✍️ Instead, we ease into it with faux calligraphy and then pencil calligraphy. Here’s a little preview of what the pencil calligraphy lesson looks like. ✏️

If you’ve been wanting to learn calligraphy, join us in this course. It is an absolute *steal* because it’s included with your TPK Premium membership ($5/month - cancel anytime). Once the course concludes in January, you can choose to purchase lifetime access to the videos; or just continue on with us to the next course. For more information, visit the link in my bio!

#learncalligraphy #pointedpencalligraphy #moderncalligraphy #pencilcalligraphy #blackwingpencil #pencilart #letteringart #handlettering #modernlettering #artisticletters #artisticlettering
I’m editing videos for the new Beginner’s Mode I’m editing videos for the new Beginner’s Modern Calligraphy Online Course (🎉 JOIN US! link in profile for enrollment info!!) — and wanted to share this story from Lesson 1. In that lesson, we’ll chat about how to develop your motivation (this story is part of me sharing mine); and we’ll ease into our pointed pen experience with faux calligraphy and pencil calligraphy. Step by step, you’ll develop skills that will serve you for a lifetime ... and surprise and delight those around you, just like my “rent check envelopes” did! ✉️

#mailart #moderncalligraphy #learncalligraphy #storytime #calligraphy #snailmail #snailmailrevolution
Some recipes aren’t just instructions — they’re memories on a page. 💛 I spent some time illustrating one of my favorites, and it turned into the sweetest (literally) keepsake. Calligraphy, watercolor, and a little patience bring the story of a dish to life.

If you’d like to try illustrating your favorite recipe, too, I shared the full process (with helpful printables) on the TPK Blog — link in bio. ✨

#illustratedrecipe #calligraphyart #watercolorillustration #creativeproject #keepsakeart #slowcreativity #handletteringlove #moderncalligraphy #calligraphyinspiration #watercolorart
As much as cooking is an art, illustrating a recip As much as cooking is an art, illustrating a recipe takes it one step further. ✨ In TPK’s latest tutorial (link in bio), I’ll show you how to create an illustrated chocolate lava cake recipe using watercolor. You’ll find helpful PDFs and step-by-step instructions so you can follow along — or use the layout to bring one of your own favorite dishes to life.

Frame it as keepsake art, or give it as a thoughtful handmade gift this holiday season. 🎁

#illustratedrecipe #watercolorart #calligraphycommunity #foodillustration #arttutorial #watercolortutorial #creativeprojects #handmadegifts #keepsakeart #thepostmansknock
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