If you ever wonder about turning your love for calligraphy into a profitable venture, you’ve come to the right place! In this guide, we’ll share six business ideas for calligraphers.
The potential income from calligraphy greatly varies from person to person, but to shed light on its profitability, a 2024 survey published by research company IBISWorld valued the US calligraphy services market at around $1.2 billion, employing nearly 24,000 individuals.
Although you can turn your calligraphy skills into an income stream — from selling physical and digital products to offering services and workshops — it requires careful planning, dedication, and eagerness for continuous learning.
Here are six ways to turn your calligraphy skills into a profitable side hustle or a full-time business.
6 Calligraphy Business Ideas
First things first, you need to start thinking about your art as a way to earn a living, and not just a simple hobby or passion. Remember, making money with your calligraphy skills can be rewarding. Here are some business ideas to help you get started:
Sell calligraphy products.
To make a living as a calligrapher, you need to create more than just beautiful art — you must also create actual products. This is why you have to establish multiple income streams with your own merch shops or calligraphy products.
Below are some popular art products you can sell as a calligrapher:
Although you can print your own calligraphy products, it requires a high upfront cost because you need to buy equipment, tools, and supplies. Alternatively, you can partner with print-on-demand services or print in bulk with an online printer like UPrinting.
Sell digital products.
Digital products can be a great source of passive income, although they typically require the skill level of a professional calligrapher. These are some of the most popular goods you can sell in digital format.
Custom fonts, which you can sell on your own site or online marketplaces like Etsy, Creative Market and MyFont. Calligraphy wedding fonts are notably popular, so you may want to include them on your digital product list.
Procreate brushes for Procreate app that many calligraphers and digital artists use nowadays.
Printable workbooks that customers can buy and download to practice calligraphy.
Offer calligraphy services to individuals and businesses.
If you want to market your calligraphy services, it is crucial to identify where your potential clients hang out so you can network and build relationships with them.
Here are some popular calligraphy services you may want to try:
Custom calligraphy for wedding invitations, greeting cards, bookmarks, and table cards
Signage services and hand-lettered logos for businesses
Licensed art found in T-shirts, wrapping paper, greeting cards, and notebooks
Teach calligraphy to students.
If you have the skill level of a professional calligrapher, offering workshops and live events is a great way to diversify your income stream. But keep in mind that beautiful handwriting and teaching are two different skills, thus you may need to train yourself in how to be an effective teacher.
Ask your local library or community center if you can conduct a workshop. In many cases, they can even help you advertise your calligraphy services.
Teaching is a relatively easy product to test. Once you have decided that this craft is for you, you can transition into the online world by creating and selling courses on popular e-learning platforms such as the following:
Skillshare
Udemy
Teachable
Domestika
Take advantage of YouTube monetization.
YouTube is an excellent platform for calligraphers and other artists because of its global reach and impressive audience engagement. Here are some ways you can earn money from this video-sharing website.
Create videos with the intent to sell products and merch.
Use affiliate marketing, which entails promoting a product (from another business/individual) with a link on your YouTube channel.
Join the YouTube Partner Program, which allows you to enjoy revenue sharing from ads during videos and between shorts.
Take advantage of fan funding from your audience.
Work with brands as an influencer.
Turn on ads for your videos.
Create and maintain a blog or website about calligraphy.
Running your own website gives you the opportunity to share your artwork and calligraphy tips and tricks with your audience, creating genuine connection with them. Remember, it is easier to sell something if you have already gained people’s trust.
Many artists use two to three methods to make their website monetization efforts worthwhile. However, in some cases, just one solid approach is enough. Here are the best ways to earn money from your site.
Offer subscription services like exclusive content about calligraphy, practice sheets, tips and tricks, etc.
Take advantage of sponsorship and affiliate marketing.
Sell your own products and merch.
Write about calligraphy tools and courses to promote other brands.
How to Market Your Calligraphy Business
First things first, you need to start thinking about your art as a way to earn a living, and not just a simple hobby or passion. Remember, making money with your calligraphy skills can be rewarding. Here are some business ideas to help you get started:
Create an online portfolio.
There are several ways to create an online portfolio, from personal websites and social media to marketplaces and e-commerce platforms. Many successful calligraphers use multiple channels to reach out to a wider audience, allowing them to maximize their sales.
Your online portfolio should always include high-quality images of your artwork, such as store signages, greeting cards, practice sheets, and greeting cards. Furthermore, it should be optimized to rank high on Google and other search engines, making it easy for your target audience to find you.
Here are some tips to make it easy for your clients to find and explore your content:
Use your readers’ search terms.
Avoid distracting advertisements.
Use descriptive URLs.
Link to relevant resources.
Create compelling and useful content.
Reduce duplicate content.
Organize your site to help search engines and users understand how each page relates to the rest of the site.
Leverage social media.
Using social media is an excellent way to market your calligraphy skills and build a large and dedicated following. Here are some tips on how you can use social platforms to promote your artwork:
Use relevant and trending hashtags that are specific to your craft, like #CalligraphyArt, #WeddingCalligraphy, or #CalligraphyPens. You can also use location-based hashtags, like #LosAngelesCalligraphy if you are targeting a local audience.
Use popular visual platforms, such as Pinterest and Instagram, to showcase your artwork. Post behind-the-scenes content, tutorials, images and videos of your work, and inspirational photos.
Post short and engaging videos on TikTok. Increase your chance of going viral by following the trends and posting content that’s relevant to your audience.
Use Facebook and LinkedIn to build communities and join groups centered around calligraphy, wedding events, and other industries or interests where your handwriting skills are needed.
For longer content, YouTube is an excellent platform where people watch how-to videos, tutorials, and time-lapse projects.
Advertise locally.
Advertising your artwork locally is a great way to create a strong and loyal customer base. Here are some strategies to do it:
Use flyers, postcards, posters, and other signages in areas where your target audience is likely to be (e.g., flower shops, art galleries, and bridal boutiques).
Attend craft fairs and local markets where you can display and sell your products. Moreover, you can meet people who may need your services in the future.
Attend bridal shows, wedding expos, and other local events where calligraphy is a sought-after craft.
Run local ads targeting customers who are searching for calligraphy services in your area.
Expand your network.
For calligraphers and other artists, business networking can give access to certain opportunities they might not be able to find on their own. Here are some ways to expand your network, which is one of the keys to more sales and projects.
Collaborate with other businesses and individuals. Calligraphy artists are in demand in certain industries and professions, such as event planners, venue owners, and flower shop owners.
Do word-of-mouth marketing. Offer incentives like a free custom piece or a referral discount to encourage your customers to recommend your service to their friends and family.
Attend craft fairs, trade shows, conferences, and other networking events.
Be part of local organizations.
Use email marketing.
As a calligrapher, email marketing can help you nurture relationships with customers and even boost your sales if you have a strong email list. Let’s explore some ways you can monetize email marketing.
Sell physical products and merch.
Offer paid subscription services for exclusive content.
Promote your calligraphy e-books, guides, practice sheets, and other downloadable products.
Sell affiliated calligraphy products.
How to Set Your Price as a Calligrapher
There are several variables that can help you set your prices, although at the end of the day pricing is highly personal. It’s mainly about setting rates that meet your income goals and support your life. However, the five factors below can help you set your prices confidently.
Decide your income goals.
Your income goals will depend on whether you’re doing calligraphy full-time or just a side hustle you do every weekend.
Research the pricing model of your competitors.
Knowing how your competitors price their products and services can help you establish and maintain competitive rates. Moreover, you can create marketing strategies that may take advantage of their weaknesses and improve your own business performance.
Use a simple pricing formula.
If you’re offering calligraphy products and services, consider using this basic pricing formula:
Hourly Rate x Time + Cost of Materials = Your Starting Price
This formula covers the cost of materials, the complexity of the work, and the overall value of your skills. But this is just the starting point, as you also need to charge additional fees on some occasions.
For example, rush fees typically start at 30% of the standard pricing because they involve jobs that often require extra effort like rearranging your schedule and paying for expedited shipping.
Last-minute changes and add-ons also come with extra fees.
Factor in your taxes.
Whether you’re a full-time calligrapher or a side hustler, always take into account the taxes when establishing your base price. A good rule of thumb is to set aside 20-30% of your earnings for taxes.
Choose your pricing models.
To run a successful business, you need to price your work effectively. For calligraphers, the two most common options are hourly pricing and project pricing.
Hourly pricing is the most straightforward option: You simply sell your time for money. However, the caveat is that the more efficient you are, the less money you make on any given project.
By contrast, project pricing is focused on selling a deliverable, rather than your time. Many clients appreciate this option because they know how much they will pay. Additionally, your efficiency is rewarded — not punished.
However, project or fixed pricing also comes with some challenges. For example, you give a price based on your understanding of the scope of work, only to find out later on that it involves more work than you expected.
To avoid issues with project pricing, it is critical that the scope of work is defined accurately.
Tools and Supplies for Your Calligraphy Business
In business, starting small and simple is usually better than going all in because it takes less energy and time and allows you to build confidence gradually as you grow your brand. Moreover, this conservative approach lets you make strategic changes without hurting your budget.
To start your calligraphy business, you need software for digital calligraphy and a basic kit consisting of paper, pens, and inks.
Basic Calligraphy Kit
Paper
Watercolor paper and other types of bleed-proof, thick paper with a smooth surface are great for calligraphy. Rhodia Dot Pad, Canson Marker Paper, and HP Premium 32 are the most popular options.
Calligraphy Pens
The three most commonly used calligraphy pens are pointed pens, brush pens, and broad-edged pens, each of them producing distinct aesthetic effects.
For example, pointed pens are the best choice for traditional style because they have a nib that produces thick or thin lines, depending on the pressure you apply.
Broad-edged pens, meanwhile, have a flat nib that produces strong and crisp lines, making them perfect for creating traditional scripts like Uncial, Italic, and Blackletter.
For modern calligraphy, brush pens are the popular choice.
Ink
The most basic (and classic) ink colors for calligraphy are white, black, and gold. You can also invest in other popular colors such as turquoise, grass green, tangerine, and violet.
Software for Digital Calligraphy
Even if you don’t plan on transitioning from hand-rendered calligraphy to digital lettering, you still have to invest in software because you’ll need them when making promotional materials, both in digital and print formats.
Procreate – This app is only compatible with iPad Pro and is used alongside Apple Pencil.
Adobe Illustrator – This is used for vectorizing letters.
Affinity Designer – This is a good alternative to Illustrator if you are looking for a more user-friendly and affordable vector graphics software.
Photoshop – This popular software is used to create banners and edit product photos.
Canva – This drag-and-drop online design service is ideal if you need a user-friendly design tool.
You can make money with calligraphy in a number of ways, from selling physical products and making personalized greeting cards to offering digital goods and workshops. Nevertheless, it remains ideal to pick a niche so you can tailor your message to your target audience.
