My Guide to Beginning Calligraphy Supplies
So you just tried pointed pen calligraphy for the first time. Yay! Or maybe it wasn't your first time, but using a nib and ink just finally clicked. If you're anything like me, you are now super pumped to learn all the things and get all the supplies…but you don't really know where to start.
Well you're in luck. Here I've put together a supply guide that has my recommendations for what paper, ink, and nibs to try as you continue your calligraphy learning journey. This list is by no means exhaustive - there is a huge world of handmade paper, different kinds of ink, and a wide variety of vintage and modern nibs to explore. This list is simply a few of the supplies I've found to be relatively easy to find, not too fiddly to use, and won't break the bank as you're learning.
Please note: these recommendations are for items I can find easily in the United States, but similar items should be available if you're in a different country. If you can’t find exactly the same brand as the one I have listed, try looking for the same category, like ‘sumi ink’, a similar type or category of item should be available.
**This list does contain some affiliate links - you know how they work. If you purchase an item using my link I'll get a small kickback, and you won't pay any extra. That being said, all these supplies are ones I use myself and I will never recommend something that I don't stand behind.
Beginning calligraphy supplies don’t have to be fancy, and they don’t have to break the bank. Here are some of my favorites, pulled right from my studio shelves. Read about them below!
Paper
HP Premium 32 paper
This is a widely recommended paper to practice with. The regular printer paper that most people buy isn't quite high enough quality and you'll find that your ink will feather, or bleed a lot. HP Premium 32 is a step up and a little bit smoother, so it works much better. You can find it locally at most office supply stores like Office Max or Staples.
Tracing paper
Although it seems thin and like your nib will poke through, tracing paper is stronger than it looks. Since you can see through it, you can lay it over a page of basic strokes or letters and focus on your writing pressure and angle, rather than the shape of the stroke or letter. It can be found locally at big box art stores like Michaels or Hobby Lobby, or at fine art stores. I haven't found a big difference in performance between brands, so feel free to buy what is easily available in your area.
Strathmore Tracing Paper Pad on Amazon
Cardstock
If you want to make a greeting card, placecards, or an art piece using slightly nicer paper than your practice paper, most types of smooth cardstock work great with ink and a nib. Cardstock comes in a dazzling array of colors, so you can choose whatever color scheme you want.
Watercolor paper
For fancier final projects, I prefer watercolor paper. It's nice and thick and takes ink well. Hot press will be slightly smoother than coldpress which means it will be easier to write on. More textured paper is possible to write on too, but will catch your nib more easily.
Watercolor paper comes in a variety of sizes and quality levels. While there's a definite difference if you're watercolor painting on it, if you're just writing they will all give about the same experience, so you can look for what is available near you and within your budget.
Fabriano Studio 9”x12” Watercolor Pad from Blick
Arches 10”x14” Watercolor Pad from Amazon
Artist’s Loft 9”x12” Watercolor Pad from Michaels
Nibs
There are a TON of nib varieties available. They all have different levels of flexibility, pointiness, and feel. I recommend trying more than one to discover what you like. You'll also find that some nibs work better on different paper types. Here are some of my favorites that I think are a little easier to work with and less likely to catch the paper as you're writing. Big box art stores do not have a good selection of pointed pen nibs, so I suggest buying from an online retailer like Paper and Ink Arts.
Brause Steno - also known as the Blue Pumpkin due to it’s shape. This is one of my favorite nibs, and it’s slightly more rounded point means it doesn’t easily catch on paper. It holds a good amount of ink and I find it very easy to control.
Gillott 404 - This nib is slightly more pointed than the Blue Pumpkin, but still not too inclined to catch on the paper. It is stiff enough to give you good control, while still giving good variation between your upstrokes and downstrokes.
Tachikawa G or Nikko G- These G nibs are a common recommendation for beginners. They are relatively stiff and hold a lot of ink. The Tachikawa is slightly more flexible, and is my personal preference between the two. They are a bit pointier, so go slow on your upstrokes and experiment with your nib angle to avoid catching the tip on the paper.
Ink
Sumi ink
There are a million types of black ink, but Sumi ink is a good solid place to start. The ink is ready to go right out of the bottle and is a good consistency to write with. Kuretake Zig and Yasutomo are two brands I’ve used and liked, and as a bonus they are waterproof once the ink is fully dry.
Kuretake Zig Sumi Ink on Amazon
Dr Ph Martins Bombay Ink
If you're looking to add some color to your work, Bombay ink is one of my favorites. It's also ready to go right out of the jar, and comes in a variety of gorgeous colors. It has natural variation in the color when it dries depending on how much ink was left on the page. The neck of the jar is pretty small, so you can use the eye dropper to drop ink on the underside of your nib, or transfer it into a small ink pot to dip out of. The ink is translucent when it dries, so if you inked on top of a pencil draft those lines might show through.
Dr. Ph Martin’s Bombay India Ink on Amazon (this takes you to violet, search to find other colors)
Dr. Ph Martin’s Bombay India Ink at Michaels
Dr Ph Martins Bleedproof White
This is a great white ink if you want to write on darker colored paper, but it is a little trickier to use. Straight out of the jar it is thick like paste, so you'll need to water it down to the right consistency. Add water a little at a time and mix with a small paintbrush or skewer until the ink is the consistency of about heavy cream. You can just mix the top layer - no need to do the whole jar at once. Experiment until you find the right consistency. Too runny and it will just drip off your nib, too thick and it won't flow very well. If you accidentally mix too much water, just mix a little deeper in the jar, or let it sit overnight with the lid off and some water will evaporate. You'll need to find the right consistency again each time you use the Bleedproof White, but the results are worth it.
Bonus: Erasers
An eraser is one of the calligraphy supplies I use most often! I draft my projects in pencil all the time, and a good eraser is essential to remove those lines once the inked calligraphy is dry. Staedtler has been a favorite for years. It's a soft plastic and doesn't scuff up your paper. Recently I discovered Tombow Mono erasers which are even softer and just as good! Highly recommend both types. If you’ve only ever used the eraser that comes on the end of your pencil, prepare to be amazed at the difference.
Staedtler Mars Plastic Eraser on Amazon
I hope these recommendations were helpful for you! Again, you'll find a wide variety of supplies that I didn't mention here. Part of the fun is experimenting with new products and seeing how they are similar or different from what you've used before!
Come follow me on Instagram @softfernstudio to see a variety of projects you can do with these supplies, and reach out with any questions you come up with!
Cheers,
Kim