♦ Basic Strokes Sheets

These calligraphy practice sheets can help you get used to the proper pen pressure and position, which is at an angle of around 45 degrees. As such, these practice sheets feature the most basic calligraphy strokes:

♦ Alphabet Practice Sheets

These practice sheets focus on helping you write lowercase and uppercase letters uniformly slanted. Typically, they also include practice strokes, which are the foundation to the entire calligraphy alphabet.

The more consistent your strokes, the more uniform your calligraphy letters will look!

♦ Word and Phrase Practice Sheets

These practice sheets contain inspirational words, short phrases, and common greetings. Although these sheets are often used by beginners, experienced calligraphers also use these as a warm-up worksheet before they begin their calligraphy projects.

Writing out a few loops and words for two minutes often leads to more polished-looking calligraphy.

♦ Numbers and Symbols Practice Sheets

Once you’re comfortable with doing basic strokes and writing words and phrases, you can proceed with tracing numbers, symbols, and punctuation marks.

It is recommended to start with numbers 0-9 and simpler or more commonly used symbols. However, ampersand is one of the most challenging symbols to draw, so it presents a great opportunity to practice your calligraphy.

♦ Flourishing Practice Sheets 

In calligraphy, flourishes are curves and decorative lines in and around letters that you can use to emphasize certain words or phrases, or to inject your own personal style.

It takes a little practice to find the perfect stroke and develop a “feel” for the right approach when adding flourishes to the letters.

These flourishing calligraphy tracing sheets are ideal for both beginners and experienced students.

♦ Faux Calligraphy Practice Sheets

Faux calligraphy, also known as “fake” calligraphy, is a technique of imitating the look of calligraphy by using ballpoint pens, markers, sketch pens, pencils, and other “regular” writing tools that don’t flex.

By simple definition, flex is the pen’s ability to create lines with variable thickness based on the amount of pressure you put down on the paper.

These faux calligraphy practice sheets can help you learn how to create and insert thick lines with the use of regular pens.

There are three main calligraphy pen categories:

• Pointed pen – It is a writing tool with a holder and a nib that you dip to an ink, producing thick or thin lines that will depend on the pressure you apply. It creates lines as thin as hair that you cannot get from most brush pens.
• Brush pen – It is a marker with a tip that can be short or long and can vary in flexibility. Many calligraphy teachers recommend starting with this tool before diving into dip pens that are harder to control.
• Broad-edged pen – It has a nib with a flat edge that produces strong, crisp, and bold lines and strokes, making it perfect for traditional scripts like Italic, Uncial, and Blackletter.

Pro Tip: Figure out a comfortable grip by doing lots of doodling and other warming up exercises before you dive into the calligraphy practice sheets.

Now that you have the basic idea about calligraphy pens, let’s dive into the ideal paper to print your practice sheets.

Ideal Paper for Printable Calligraphy Practice Sheets:

• •   Rhodia Dot Pad
• •   HP Premium 32
• •   Canson Marker Paper

Pro Tip: Not all printer papers are created equal for ink absorption. As a general rule, choose thick, bleed-proof paper with a smooth surface.

2. Use free learning tools

The downloadable calligraphy practice sheets above are a great way to start practicing basic strokes and getting comfortable with your grip. You can also watch video tutorials and read blogs and other learning materials to have a better understanding of calligraphy.

Check out The Beginners Guide to Calligraphy, an article that contains five video tutorials to help you understand the basics. Once you get the hang of it, you can try this free tutorial about creating Beautiful Gothic Letters & Decoratives.

You can also join online forums and follow calligraphy artists to learn more about this art.

3. Get inspiration from different sources.

You can get inspiration from a wide range of sources, from wedding invitations and postcards to book covers and brochures. Even walking in the street or visiting the nearby park can inspire creativity and new ideas.

4. Don’t rush your learning

Remember that you’re learning a new skill so be patient with yourself! It takes time and a lot of practice to become comfortable with handwriting posture and pressure.

Focus on one thing at a time — a single letter, a group of letters, or a new technique — before moving on to another skill set. The goal is to reproduce a specific movement without too much conscious thought, relying mostly on your muscle memory.