What Can I Write On? Let's Talk Surfaces and Materials for Calligraphy.

Calligraphy with a pointed pen or hand lettering with markers, pens and pencils can go on nearly any surface and material - and if we are not sure if it will work - let’s try it anyway! My favorite materials to write on so far have been antique windows for a gorgeous wedding seating chart, acrylic for custom Christmas ornaments and glass vases for wedding table numbers.

We work on wood, glass, tile, acrylic, chalkboard, paper, ribbon and more. We write with calligraphy pointed pen with nibs, chalkboard markers, pencils or with paint markers which come in a million colors and can be matte or metallic. We also can print in vinyl for application on glass, chalkboard, acrylic, fabric and wood.

While we use permanent paint markers as often as possible, these still can chip and peel away over time on acrylic or glass materials. If you are looking for an item to be more permanent, perhaps a wedding welcome sign, we recommend printed versions of these items on acrylic or using wood signs. For example, this bar menu features my calligraphy - the words bar menu, cocktails, wine - digitally printed onto the acrylic with a font making up the rest of the menu. Other surfaces such as chalkboards, sea glass and marble can be sprayed with a coating to make them more permanent.

Pointed pen and other markers work differently depending on the surface. Fine, delicate pointed pen calligraphy will not work in large format settings for example. Paint markers work very well with larger formats, particularly bar signs, welcome signs and custom seating charts.

Lively House & Home is a calligraphy and event design company based in Chicago, offering elegant, modern calligraphy and day of details for your unique wedding day. From envelope calligraphy, wedding invitations, reception signs and place cards to hand painted table numbers and menus, we love making your wedding and event special and one of a kind.