Calligraphy for Envelopes
If you are planning a wedding or event and you want to address envelopes with calligraphy, there are some particular tools and techniques that will ensure you get the best results.
Templates & Guidelines
After you have chosen the calligraphy font that you want to use (see my other blog post on that topic), you’ll have an idea of where the baseline, x-height, ascender height and descender heights should be.
Once you have those height measurements, you can create an envelope template with some guidelines. Here’s how to do it:
On a blank landscape A4 page, place one of your blank envelopes in the middle and use washi tape to secure it.
Draw a light outline of the envelope in pencil. You’ll place each envelope within this frame.
Either side of the envelope, use a ruler to draw the ascender line, x-height line, baseline, and descender line. Do this for the name first and for each line of the address.
Tip to simplify: Write only the names of your guests in calligraphy, and write the addresses in block capitals.
Now, you have an A4 template that you can use over and again for each envelope, ensuring consistent and beautiful addresses.
Pros: This template will ensure that your envelopes are neatly laid out and consistent.
Cons: You’ll need to draw light pencil lines across your envelope following the guidelines, which will require rubbing out after the ink is dry. (Leave for 24hrs to be on the safe side.)
Your template will look something like this.
To make sure the names and addresses are left-aligned or center-aligned, you can either pencil in the letters in advance of using ink, or you can mock up the envelope design in Canva to judge where your writing should start and end.
I would also recommend using a “rolling ruler” (widely available) to help keep those horizontal lines evenly spaced.
Laser Spirit Level
If you don’t want to draw pencil lines on every envelope, you can invest in a laser liner. This is a tool that tradespeople and DIYers use to keep straight lines and levels without marking walls with pencil.
The laser liner by Luis Creations is perfectly designed for calligraphy.
There are also specialist calligraphy laser liners, such as this one from Luis Creations. If you position it on your desk and have the line of the laser shine across your envelope, you can avoid drawing pencil lines.
Disclaimer: I have never used one of these, so I can’t recommend a brand or model, but I know that lots of calligraphers swear by them.
Pros: No pencil lines means less time is spent drawing the pencil lines before putting pen and ink to paper, also no need to rub out the lines afterwards.
Cons: You can only see one laser line at a time, so while your baseline may be clear, you won’t be able to see the x-height or the ascender or descender lines with this method.
Light pad
If you are going to be writing calligraphy based off of guidelines or worksheets, then a light pad could become your new best friend.
There are lots of online art supplies shops in Ireland selling light pads or “LED light boxes” so make sure to shop local.
Image: Anartfulmom.com
The trick with this option is to position a page with guidelines inside your envelope and the light should shine through to show the guidelines where you want to write your name and address.
Disclaimer: Like the laser liner, I have never used one of these, but I am thinking of purchasing one, so I’ll update this post with recommendations if I do.
Pros: Avoiding pencil lines is great, and using the guideline sheets for conformity is a good idea when you’re just starting out. So, the light pad fits the brief perfectly.
Cons: Depending on the quality of the light pad, you may or may not get a good view of the guideline sheet through the envelope. So, you will want to invest in a decent one with a bright light to make sure it does the job.
One-dip wonder
When you are undertaking a large calligraphy project such as invitations and envelopes, you will likely be dipping your nib into the ink constantly.
To reduce the number of dips required, you could consider purchasing a nifty little gadget called a One-Dip Wonder from Tom’s Studio.
No disclaimer on this little guy; I have one and it’s really good for reducing the number of dips per sentence.
Pros: You can be super efficient and speedy with your projects using one of these. Less mess with the ink too!
Cons: Be really careful about storing this in a tin or somewhere safe when it’s not in use. I have lost track of which nib it’s attached to and nearly lost it between the floorboards once or twice!
I will soon be opening up access to Grá Calligraphy Club where I will provide a downloadable PDF of the envelope template — making your envelope-writing project so easy!
Make sure to subscribe to my mailing list if you’d like to hear more about that.
Le grá,
Louise x
