Invitation Addressing Calligraphy Question

I started working on it, and for practice, I recommend getting a calligraphy marker so you aren't learning ink flow control on top of the letter formation as well.

That said, I think we are now going to send them to someone on Etsy to be done because my carpal tunnel has flared so much that I don't think I'll be able to do even the few that we will have to do.

I had some experience with art and hand lettering before I tried calligraphy for my wedding invites so that part was brand new. But I found some great resources online to help out with what tools, etc. I needed. This is the site I found most useful:

https://thepostmansknock.com/

I ended up buying a few different straight pens and different nibs plus the inks I would need and just practiced from there. I also bought some of the worksheets from the site too in order to practice and see what style I liked best.

Her guide: https://thepostmansknock.com/beginners-guide-modern-calligraphy/

I am currently doing all of my envelopes using TPK's Kaitlin style and I'm loving how they are turning out. It is taking me a lot of time to complete them so be sure to start as early as you can depending on how many envelopes you are doing. But now that I'm doing them I definitely see how professionals can charge $3 and higher per address, it's a skilled art!

Specifics on what I'm using for my invites (I did 2 versions a copper ink on opal envelope and a white ink on gold envelope: PaperSource Gold and Opal envelopes, General Pencil Cork Tipped Penholder, Nikko G nibs, Dr. Ph. Martin’s Iridescent Copperplate gold ink, and Winsor & Newton Calligraphy Ink, White

I agree with MNA. I would go with a marker. Legit calligraphy pens can take a while to learn to use.

I taught myself brush lettering for the purpose of addressing invitations. I filled two journal notebooks practicing the different strokes, letters, random words, and names of friends and family. I bought a couple different brush pens before finally finding one I felt the most comfortable using, and did the most of my practicing with that one. I preferred the Pentel SES15N. It had a much smaller brush tip than the other brush pens I found and was much better suited to addressing envelopes. Plus, I had the best control with that one. I did a trial run when I addressed my STDs, and it only took me two weeks to get through addressing, stuffing, sealing, and stamping about 75 envelopes. It really wasn't that bad to do. Here's one of the finished envelopes from my STDs.

Thanks for the responses everyone! Wedding is still 8 months out or so, so I have a bunch of time. Plus, I do digital lettering so having a hand-deaigned font isn't new to me. I will definitely check out the marker idea, since the last time I did calligraphy, I remember having trouble with the ink flow. And those worksheets look awesome! Thanks so much.

Huh I have a bunch of brush pens--never thought to use them for lettering! I just use them for large ink projects (like the attached--large black areas are impossible!). I'll have to try them for lettering.

I would recommend trying the Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pen.

https://www.amazon.com/Tombow-62038-Fudenosuke-Brush-Pack/dp/B01M71S9DU/ref=pd_sim_229_3/168-4668458-1065846?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=BE7R20N18JNFA8VZM2ZN

I used it for my STD envelopes, and everyone raved about how nice they looked.

I had a crazy idea not sure if it's gonna work but im going to try to get my cricut to address my envelopes ... fingers crossed ... if you have one give it a shot

I tried to teach myself and got frustrated so i hired a calligrapher the $1.50 an envelope was worth not being aggravated lol. Good luck!

Following! I have calligraphy experience but want to look up these pens later.

View Quoted Comment Hi! So I am addressing my own wedding invitations after teaching myself calligraphy. I really love the way my Dr. Martin's gold ink looks on my white invitations, but my mom said she has heard gold ink causes delays in receiving the letter. Have you used it to address invitations or anything?? Please let me know your opinion!Thanks!!

I did two different envelope colors & ink colors for my wedding and there were no issues with them being delivered normally through USPS.

Gold ink calligraphyWhite ink calligraphy

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These are beautiful! Definitely about to get more serious about my calligraphy practice now

View Quoted Comment Alicia - did you use any type of sealant/fixative for the white ink? I'm using Dr. Martin's Bleedproof but I'm afraid the envelopes could be ruined if they are exposed to water/weather. Yours turned out awesome!

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Hi Ari, I did not use any type of fixative on them and didn't hear from anyone about any issues with them, but I guess that's any risk with mail art and the weather. I use the Postman's Knock for a lot of guidance and here's her post on waterproofing if you aren't sure what to do https://thepostmansknock.com/how-to-waterproof-paper/