8 Ways to Save Money on Calligraphy Supplies

Are you looking for ways to save money on calligraphy supplies? Have you been spending more, only to realize that you don’t need all of them? Calligraphy and art enthusiasts have all been art supply hoarders at some point. It most probably happened a year into the hobby, and a lot of money has been spent shopping for materials that cost a lot but have never been used. If you’re like the rest of us, earning money means working hard, and the money spent on unused tools could have been spent on something more important.

Back in 2012, I used to purchase nibs and inks from the US and wait for 2-3 weeks before the items reach my doorstep. I ask the calligraphers at the time (the really good, popular ones) what tools they used and I would go ahead and buy the same things. After waiting forever for the items to reach me, only then would I realize that I couldn’t get the nibs to work (I’m looking at you, Brause Rose) or the inks to flow!

I’d charge those mistakes to experience, but who was I kidding? The only thing that was charged was my credit card.

So here are 8 tips for new calligraphers and lettering artists on how to save money on calligraphy supplies. It’s a pretty long read, but I’m writing from experience so I hope you’ll find these tips useful. No time to read right now? You can always pin the image to read later!

1 :: Buy high-quality materials
If possible, only buy high-quality materials. High quality IS NOT synonymous to expensive, but it means that it will produce better results than the average quality ones. When you’re writing, you’d want to produce the best results—no feathering, no bleeding. When you use low-quality ink on ‘bad’ paper, your calligraphy will be anything but good, no matter how beautiful you write. Rule no.1 is to invest in good quality materials from the get-go.

2 :: Do not buy full sets of tools
Well, surely you’d like a set of all those pretty bottles of ink, right? If you haven’t tried the brand yet and have no idea if it will write well, do not buy the whole set. Chances are, you’ll blow your savings on a 12-set ink with pretty colours that will just sit on your desk unopened, after discovering they’re too watery after all. Buy (or try from a friend!) first before investing in a full range.

3 :: Stick to the tools you like best
If you don’t need all the colours, you certainly don’t need all the brands. I used to buy different metallic inks when I already know that I’m most comfortable with my Finetec palette. I used to buy different brands of paper, and I still have them in stacks—when I’d just keep using one or two brands for practice. Now those sheets are being used by my kids to draw on. If you’ve already found the black ink that works best for you, then there’s no need to buy a few more different brands.

This rule works with nibs, too. Those little fellas may be cheap, but if you buy dozens of each kind, it’ll rack up to a few hundred dollars. Keep about three to four of your favourite nibs and invest in them—not in new ones that you’ll give away when you realize they don’t suit your style.

4 :: Familiarize yourself with your supplies
Keep an inventory of everything you have, even if it’s just in your head. If you need to do a certain project and need red ink, it helps if you already know if you have it or not. You don’t buy duplicates of what you have, which means you save that money for something else!

5 :: Participate in group buys
This applies to online purchases, especially ones from overseas online stores. Some supplies can be quite affordable, but shipping fees can cost a bomb. The trick? Gather your calligra-friends for group purchases and you will save a lot on shipping fees. This is a great way to save money on calligraphy supplies if you buy from overseas quite often.

6 :: Repair, remedy and recycle
Do you know that walnut ink crystals last so much longer than pre-mixed ones? The best part is that when you’re running out, you can add a bit more water to your mixture if you don’t mind the shade being a tad lighter. You also don’t need a lot of pen holders, if you can resist.

If you have nose pliers, you can easily re-shape your holder to fit various nib sizes. Also, use both sides of your paper! If you’re just doing drills or practising your letterforms, make sure you use both sides of a sheet. You save money, and trees as well! It’s a win-win situation if you ask me.

7 :: Take good care of your tools
Don’t leave your brushes sitting in a jar of water, and clean your nibs after using especially when it has been dipped in iron gall ink. Following simple tips that affect the longevity of your tools are important because it means you do not have to replace them so often.

8 :: You don’t need to have everything to make good art
The last and most important rule of all, is that practice and creativity are the best tools you can arm yourself with. No matter how many expensive holders you buy, or palettes of watercolour you have, if you do not take the time to practice and study, you will not reach your full potential as a calligrapher or artist. So study as much as you practice, use high-quality supplies, and train your eye to self-critique your artwork to see where you can improve.

So there you have it! I’m following these 8 tips on how to save on calligraphy supplies right now and I’m happy with the money I save. I’m sure there are a lot more tips out there on how to save money on calligraphy supplies. Let me know in the comments!