Lettering Supplies for Beginners – Pens, Paper and Ink

Here we are in a new year. Already! I know. It feels early, but as I settle into 2020, the ideas and plans for the year stop swirling inside my head and start landing on paper. And I feel ready.

Maybe you feel the same way, ready to tackle the year and move lettering from your head to paper. Maybe you’re refreshed from the holidays and ready to face the newness of 2020 with all its dreams and ambitions too.

If one of your dreams is to step into calligraphy and lettering, this is the post for you. Today, I’ll walk you through the lettering supplies you need to begin, from paper to pens to ink. (If your dream is in the watercolor area and you need more information on Watercolor Supplies for Beginners, read this post.)

And don’t worry … I’ll show you which lettering supplies to start with that won’t leave you penniless, filled with regret and surrounded with unused tools. I’ll suggest a few different types of tools to try. Then you can find which lettering supplies feel right for you.

I enjoy many lettering styles, but for the sake of simplicity, I will only talk about the supplies I use for modern calligraphy in this post.

Paper

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HP Premium 32 lb Laserjet Paper is perfect for practice with markers and most dip pens with ink. The paper is smooth enough to prevent damage to pen tips and it’s thick enough to handle most ink without bleeding through. 

However, I suggest using thicker paper when you work with thin inks or larger quantities of ink and watercolor. Canson Mixed Media 98 lb Paper is a great choice for mixed media and watercolor with dip pens. This mixed media paper isn’t as smooth as the laserjet paper, but it provides a solid surface for wetter inks and markers.

Pens

Here’s the killer category. There are so many options for lettering tools. If you’re like me, it’s easy to get lost in the fancy, colorful, glittery selection. But how do you pick a few pens that will give you a good feel for what you like and don’t like as you begin learning?

Choose one straight dip pen and a nib or two. 

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My favorite beginner straight pens are the blue/green marbled manuscript straight pen holder and the sliver and black marbled pen holder.

Some people like a firm tip in the beginning and others take to a flexible nib easily. The Nikko G is a firm nib great for starting. Because it’s firm, it requires more pressure to get thicker downstrokes. A Hiro 41 is more flexible and glides smoothly as you write, even if your paper has some texture. It requires less pressure to form thick downstrokes. Buying one of each of these nibs would give a good comparison for seeing the difference between firm and flexible pointed nibs.

Order a calligraphy set with a straight pen holder and one of each of these nibs.

Pick a small brush pen marker or two. 

In my opinion, most brush pen markers are on the flexible side. Few have a firm yet bendable tip like the dip pen nibs. For this reason, I think calligraphy nibs are easier to control once you get the hang of pen movement. But there are a couple of markers I like and use. Let’s face it, markers are easier to get out and put away than ink and nibs. 

I prefer the small tipped markers and, given the choice, will use either the Tombow Fudenosuke twin tip brush pen (love the gray end!) or the Pentel Fude Touch sign brush pen (in black, but there are many color options). Both markers have flexible tips with firm points. The Pentel Touch sign pen seems to have more ink flow than the dual tip pen.

I don’t hesitate to grab either marker when I want to quickly address one envelope.

Ink

Of course you will need ink for your dip pen and nibs. And ink can get expensive. But to test your supplies to see which ones you prefer, you can start with one color. I recommend black because it’s the color I use most often, by far.

Here are my two favorite black inks (so far)and why I love them. Choose either for your learning experience. 

KY Series Sumi Ink – sits on top of the page with a matte shine (love this look). But it bleeds a little when used on top of watercolor washes. 

Ziller Ink, Black Soot – can be used on top of watercolor washes without bleeding. Dries matte. 

Cleaning Cloth

For a dip pen, you will also need a soft, lint-free cloth for wiping the ink off your nibs. We have a lot of microfiber glasses clothes, so that’s what I use. You could also use a cloth napkin or a lint-free dish cloth.

It’s this inky, and it still does the job!

I hope this helps you focus as you start your lettering journey. Don’t get too distracted by lettering supplies in the beginning. Remember, you don’t just want to collect, you want to try them. Good luck! 

Happy Creating!

Try your new supplies with these posts:

How to Use a Calligraphy Alphabet to Practice Lettering

Easy Calligraphy with a Pencil – Yes! You can even use a pencil to learn lettering!

Each post comes with worksheets to use as guides for email subscribers. (Sign up for Blots & Jots emails here)