On Paper's Gift Guide: 12 Days of Holiday Giving, Day 9

On the ninth day of Christmas, I gave my love Pinterest-worthy hand lettering and calligraphy supplies

If your Pinterest feed looks anything like ours, it’s chockfull of hand lettering tutorials, projects, and tips. And while calligraphy has always been a part of our custom service (have you seen our logo?), we’re so happy to see so many embracing and appreciating the craft.

Traditional calligraphy uses a nib and dipping ink, and features thick downward strokes and thinner upward strokes. If you have an aspiring calligrapher in your midst, we recommend getting a set that includes multiple nibs allowing him or her to practice a variety of styles. One of our very favorite options includes five Brause nibs, violet J. Herbin ink, and comes in a handsome wooden box. A calligrapher’s practice notebook is a handy add-on, and will help guide the fledgling calligrapher’s early work.

J. Herbin has been making ink and sealing wax since the 1600s 

Hand lettering doesn’t require the nib or dipping ink, and is a more illustrative approach: the hand letterer draws their words. (This is sometimes called brush lettering or creative lettering.) We recommend The Art of Brush Lettering and a few Tombow pens. Come on in and pick them up!

If you like the aesthetic of calligraphy or hand lettering, but aren't necessarily in the market for another hobby, check out our collection of prints! We've got work by two local hand letteristas, Natterdoodle and Brim Papery.