Calligraphy Lettering Pens For Any Project

If you’ve been on social media at all during the past few years, then you’ve probably come across a calligraphy video or two. Many viewers love the satisfaction of watching artists expertly wield their calligraphy pens to craft a visually appealing assortment of elegant letters. If you were inspired by one of these videos, and you want to start learning calligraphy yourself, then you’re in the right place! Here at Cheap Joe’s, we have all the tools you need to kickstart your new hobby, including the perfect calligraphy lettering pens.

In this blog, we’ll go into detail about the pros and cons of various types of calligraphy lettering pens, so you’ll know exactly which ones to get for your personal lettering needs. We’ll also give you a few ideas for ways you can put your newfound hobby to use!

What Is Calligraphy, and How Can You Use It?
Calligraphy has been defined by the Oxford dictionary as “the art of producing decorative handwriting or lettering with a pen or brush.” Practicing calligraphy can be a very therapeutic hobby, which is perfect for those who are looking for a relaxing creative outlet. However, there are plenty of ways you can profitably use your lettering skills. If you’re wondering what you can do with your new hobby from a business standpoint, here are some great options:

1. Invitations
   One of the most common uses for calligraphy today is on some kind of invitation. This is especially true for wedding invitations, due to their formal nature. Many couples want their wedding invitations to be elegant and unique to their particular tastes, so there are plenty of opportunities to get your creative juices flowing when designing them. 
   
   
2. Creating Fonts
   Once you become more experienced in the craft, you can start designing your own calligraphy fonts. When you digitize your work, you can sell your custom fonts online. This is a great way to get your art out to the public and to make some extra money on the side.
   
   
3. Logos/Branding
   If you pay attention to all of your favorite brands, you’ll notice that they often have a form of calligraphy in their logo design. As you perfect your lettering skills, you could consider working with companies on their digital logos and branding.

Calligraphy Fonts
If you’re interested in taking up calligraphy, there are plenty of beautiful fonts available for you to use. A quick online search will direct you to numerous websites where you can download fonts for free. Here are some of our favorite fonts that we’ve been seeing recently:

Alex Brush - This is a classic brush-style font that features dramatic, sophisticated caps.

Allura Regular - This font has a handwritten feel with a feminine touch. It’s simple and legible, so it’s great for a variety of projects!

Sophia - This brush script features alternating thin and thick strokes, resulting in realistic-looking letters that have a personalized feel.

Champignon - This classic font boasts thin, dainty strokes for a feminine look. It’s great for invitations!

Types of Calligraphy Pens
Now that you’ve learned a bit about calligraphy and its uses, it’s time for the fun part – the tools! There are numerous types of pens for calligraphy, and the one you choose to use will most likely depend on your experience level. For now, we'll review these three common types:

1. Straight Dip Pens
   These are one of the more popular types of pens for calligraphy lettering. Straight dip pens are cheap, easy to use and maintain, and they feature a firm grip. When using this kind of pen, it can be difficult to consistently write at an angle, which can potentially limit your design options. However, these pens are great tools for getting those effortless-looking swirls and curves!
   
   
2. Oblique Dip Pens
   Oblique dip pens can be a bit more challenging to get the hang of. These are the ones that have a metal tip called the flange. While these tools are one of the more expensive options, they differ from the straight dip pens in that they allow artists to achieve a right-leaning letter slant. These pens also offer more efficient pressure distribution. If you’re a more advanced calligrapher, then these pens would be a great option for you.
   
   
3. Brush Pens
   Brush pens are great for beginners and intermediate calligraphers because they’re really easy to master. These pens are available in a wide variety of colors and sizes, and they allow you to create calligraphy quickly. They’re perfect for use as a stepping-stone to dip pens because you have to learn how to control the brush width with pressure. The only issue with these pens is that some people think they have a bit of a casual feel, so they’re not the best for formal projects.

Calligraphy Pens vs Regular Writing Tools
If you’re just starting out, you might not be ready to commit to purchasing new pens just to use for calligraphy, and that’s okay. Many beginners prefer to use regular pens (gel, ballpoint, etc.) to practice their lettering. These pens are great for numerous reasons; they’re portable, they’re less messy, and you can find some beautiful inks that will look great on paper.

However, if you opt to use a regular pen for your lettering, you won’t be able to get the thin upstrokes and thick downstrokes that are needed for calligraphy. You’ll have to use the faux calligraphy technique if you want to achieve anything close to dip-pen-like results. Faux calligraphy works like this: you write out your calligraphy in a style/font of your choice, then you add parallel lines on downstrokes, and you finish the piece by filling in those downstrokes.

Ultimately, you can use other writing tools to create beautiful calligraphy, but using the faux calligraphy technique can be much more time-consuming. You can speed up your calligraphy process by using one of the lettering pens we mentioned earlier. We recommend the brush pens as a great alternative for beginners who may feel intimidated by other lettering pens!