Molly Suber Thorpe

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The Calligrapher’s Business Handbook

My second book is here!

The Calligrapher’s Business Handbook: Pricing & Policies for Lettering Artists is available worldwide in print and eBook formats.

During my career as a professional calligrapher and freelance graphic designer, I have taught calligraphy to hundreds of students and worked with countless peers in the lettering arts industry. There is a great deal of uncertainty surrounding the business of calligraphy and hand lettering and, over the years, I’ve heard the same questions and run into the same misconceptions time and again.

My goal in writing this book was to provide answers to these questions and to clarify misconceptions about the business side of hand lettering by creating a guide to the best practices and pricing strategies of successful, professional lettering artists.

The common questions The Calligrapher’s Business Handbook answers include:

  • What prices do professional calligraphers charge for their services?

  • When should I charge a flat rate and when should I charge by the hour?

  • I’ve heard I should charge a lot more to design a logo than to design something for an individual to use personally, but why?

  • What is the protocol when a company wants to buy the copyright to my work? (Wait, do I even own the copyright to my work if a client hired me to make it?)

  • What are exclusive rights? How are nonexclusive rights different?

  • What should a fair project contract include?

  • When, if ever, should I agree to do work for free or for considerably less than my customary rates?

  • What are the best ways to advertise on a budget, especially when I’m just starting out as a freelancer?

  • Do I need to go to art or design school to become a successful, in-demand lettering artist?


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