My Favorite Exquisite Calligraphy Tools
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I get asked a lot about what “the bests” are. The best nibs. The best inks. The best learning tools. The best iPad lettering accessories.
I get asked so much, in fact, that it’s why I founded Calligrafile in 2016, and brought over a dozen lettering artists on board to share their favorite things!)
But my personal list of favorites never stops evolving, and when I stumble on new tools and resources that I love, I’m going to share them with you here. Sometimes I’ll stick to my favorites in a single category, but other times – like today – I’ll present you with a grab bag.
So without further ado, here are my May 2020 favorites. Some are new, some are old, but I’ve used them all this month and been struck but how much I love them. If you want to share one of your favorites with me – something you think maybe I won’t have heard of, or something you personally make – please hit reply and tell me about it!
Kuretake
A great gold ink is one of the most sought-after supplies by calligraphers. Ink flow, pigment concentration, color fastness, and shimmer are factors that make a good metallic ink, and most metallics don't tick all the boxes. FineTec watercolors are a dream, but they're paint in a palette, and sometimes that's just not convenient or practical. That's why I was so thrilled when I stumbled across Kuretake's Gold Mica. To be clear: this product is not new – just new to me! It separates, as most shimmering inks do, so you've got to shake it before use. (It has those metal balls inside the way nail polishes do, to help the mixing!) I'm also a fan of the wide-mouth jar it comes in, because I can dip straight into the container.
Handmade Olive Burl Pen Holder
/ Inkatable
You may recognize this pen because it made an appearance in a few photos in my latest book. Kate of Inkatable makes beautiful, hand-turned pens from her studio in Northern Italy. Mine has a blue-dyed olive burl grip and a tail made of walnut. Although I usually prefer lightweight, straight holders for my calligraphy, this pen is my favorite oblique. The grip and nib angle are somehow just perfect for my hand and posture.
(There are so many amazing pen makers out there that I think I will share even more of my favorites with you soon!)
Cards & Envelopes Mockup Creator /
Custom Scene
I think most artists will agree that when it comes to styling and then beautifully editing photos of our work, the struggle is real. It's unbelievable how time-consuming it is to set up even one scene to get one photo. On top of that, if we design something like a wedding invitation template, we don't always have the luxury to print it beautifully.
Produced by Custom Scene, this pack is my new favorite for stationery mockups, because it's staggeringly customizable, realistic, and huge. (The files are actually so large that I had to let them download overnight!) Every single element is customizable, and presets for letterpress, embossing, and foil printing effects are included in each Photoshop file. The photography is 100% real – not a digital rendering – so tiny imperfections like soft corners and uneven paper fiber is retained. I love that!!
I can't imagine how much time and effort went into producing this toolkit, so bravo to its creator, Román Jusdado! (Images above by Custom Scene.)
ew Darn Close
Emily Close is the founder and sewer behind Sew Darn Close. Her handmade fabric pen rollups are a game changer for traveling with my pens and brushes. I had Emily make mine custom, meaning I picked the fabric and made some specific size requests. Three years later, it still looks brand new, and it's honestly the only way I carry around my pens. As you can see, even my cat, Marlowe, has a special appreciation for it.
Indian Cotton Paper Co.
It can be hard to find handmade papers that are good for hand lettering. Very often, cotton and recycled papers cause nibs to snag and ink to bleed. This is why I was so thrilled to discover Indian Cotton Paper Co., and their line of cotton papers specifically optimized for calligraphy and paint. They're now one of my go-to stationery suppliers.
If you want to see my tutorial for making these whimsical holiday cards, head over to The Postman's Knock.
Smudgeguard
I've reached a point where I can't draw on my iPad without wearing a touch screen glove. Tablets are getting better and better at touch sensitivity, and ignoring the side of your hand when it rests on the screen, however that doesn't prevent oil and lotion from smudging on the glass, or the horrible feeling of my hand sticking to the screen. Especially when drawing, it's so important to be able to glide across the canvas, so this is a life changer. I've tried lots of brands, and honestly can't say that any I've tried are bad. I'm linking to the Smudgeguard ones here because I like that they have lots of sizes, as well as the option for one or two fingers. This choice depends on how much of your hand normally rests on the surface when you write. (For reference, I wear their one-finger in size small, which fits me like, well, a glove.)
Ash Bush
You can tell this ink well was designed by a calligrapher who has personally experienced the frustration of soaking up those last few drops of ink. Ash Bush is not only an accomplished calligrapher, but an artisan of pens and calligraphy accessories that range from minimalist to downright whimsical. I love this elegant design so much. It's the perfect intersection of form and function. (Photo courtesy of Ash Bush.)
No Issue Co.
In October, I needed some unique packaging for shipping out signed copies of my book. I settled on custom tissue paper, which I'd never ordered before. I took a leap and printed 250 sheets from No Issue Co. To say it was a smash hit was an understatement. I only have a few sheets left, and even had people who saw it on Instagram messaging me to see if they could buy it! I can't recommend this brand highly enough, because not only is their quality top-notch, but they prioritize sustainability and recycled materials in all their products.
Well, that's it for today! Enjoy the coming week, and as always, tag me in your work on Instagram (@mollysuberthorpe) so I can take a peek!⠀
Until next time—
Molly
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