The Calligrapher’s Business Handbook
The Calligrapher’s Business Handbook
A guide to best business practices and pricing strategies for calligraphers and lettering artists.
Amazon bestseller in “Business of Art” category, 2017
There’s a great deal of uncertainty surrounding the business of calligraphy and hand lettering. During my career as a professional calligrapher and freelance graphic designer, I’ve taught calligraphy to hundreds of students and worked with countless peers in the lettering arts industry. Whether you’re starting out in creative freelancing, transitioning from a different profession, or running a lettering business that just needs a boost, you will welcome the invaluable ideas in this handbook.
My goal in writing this book was to provide my students and peers with answers to the most common questions – 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.
➺ Questions this book 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?
➺ Editions
The Calligrapher’s Business Handbook is available in print and eBook formats (for Kindle, Apple Books, Nook, and Kobo).
While I do not sell this book through my website, it is available worldwide:
Buy on Amazon (Worldwide)
Find a local U.S. seller
➺ What others are saying
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“This new book should be a staple in the library of any calligrapher who wishes to pursue the art as a business. It is simply a wealth of useful and practical information.”—Paper & Ink Arts
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“Molly’s transparency about pricing and process is unrivaled, and I think that a lot of calligraphy businesses will get a running start because of her generosity in sharing information.” —Lindsay Bugbee, The Postman's Knock
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“I wish I had found this sooner in my business. Stop debating, you NEED this if you want to create calligraphy for other people in any way.” —Vivian, Amazon reviewer
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“I found the chapter about licensing and commercial lettering especially useful since this is something I’d never read about on any calligraphy forum or blog post. I have so much more confidence now to turn this side business into something more.” —Mandy, Amazon reviewer
➺ Book specs
Softcover & eBook editions
72 pages
Full color
Amazon bestseller in “Business of Art” category, 2017
