How to Start a Calligraphy Business

Even in this digital age, people still like notes and invitations with that handwritten touch, and calligraphy makes the lettering beautiful and personal. The US calligraphy services industry is worth a surprising $1 billion. If you have calligraphy skills or want to learn them, you can start a calligraphy business and grab a share of that sizable market. It takes a very small investment, and you can run the business from home.

However, before you put pen to paper, you need to understand the challenges of entrepreneurialism. Fortunately, by reading this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about launching a successful calligraphy business.

Step 1: Decide if the Business Is Right for You

Pros and cons

Starting a calligraphy business has pros and cons to consider before deciding if it’s right for you. 

Calligraphy industry trends

Industry size and growth

• Industry size and past growth – In 2021, the US calligraphy industry was worth $1 billion and had been stable for the previous five years.((https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/calligraphy-services-industry/))
• Growth forecast – The calligraphy industry is expected to decline over the next five years due to the increase in digital invitations. 
• Number of businesses – In 2021, 16,204 calligraphy businesses were operating in the US. 
• Number of people employed – In 2021, the US calligraphy industry employed 26,214 people.

Trends and challenges

Trends in the calligraphy industry include:

• Embossed calligraphy, meaning raised lettering, is popular. It’s created using a special calligraphy pen.
• Calligraphy on objects, such as mugs or other household items, is seeing stronger demand.

Challenges in the calligraphy industry include:

• Digital calligraphy and the rise of e-vites threaten the calligraphy industry.
• Low barriers to entry for a calligraphy business mean that new businesses are entering the market all the time, creating a more competitive environment.

How much does it cost to start a calligraphy business?

Startup costs for a calligraphy business range from $1,800 to $4,600. Costs include a website, pens, and special paper. 

You can take online calligraphy classes on sites like Skillshare. Classes only take a few hours each. You can start Skillshare for one month for free or buy a subscription for about $170 per year. 

How much can you earn from a calligraphy business?

Calligraphy in invitations or envelopes costs about $2 to $5 per piece, meaning per invitation or per envelope. Thus, if you charge $4 per piece and 200 people are invited to the event, the total cost for the client would be $800. These calculations will assume an average price of $3 per piece. Your profit margin will be high, around 90%

In your first year or two, you could work from home and do invitations, envelopes, and return envelopes for one 100-person event per week, bringing in $47,000 in annual revenue. This would mean $42,000 in profit, assuming that 90% margin. As your brand gains recognition, sales could climb to 3 events per week. With annual revenue of $140,000, you’d make a tidy profit of $126,000.

What barriers to entry are there?

Your only barrier to entry for a calligraphy business is having or acquiring calligraphy skills.

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If you’re still not sure whether this business idea is the right choice for you, here are some related business opportunities to help you on your path to entrepreneurial success.

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Step 2: Hone Your Idea

Now that you know what’s involved in starting a calligraphy business, it’s a good idea to hone your concept in preparation to enter a competitive market. 

Market research will give you the upper hand, even if you’re already positive that you have a perfect product or service. Conducting market research is important, because it can help you understand your customers better, who your competitors are, and your business landscape.

Why? Identify an opportunity

Research calligraphy businesses in your area to examine their services, price points, and customer reviews. You’re looking for a market gap to fill. For instance, maybe the local market is missing a modern calligraphy business or a calligraphy business that also offers calligraphy classes.

You might consider targeting a niche market by specializing in a certain aspect of your industry, such as calligraphy for corporate event invitations or wedding invitations.

This could jumpstart your word-of-mouth marketing and attract clients right away. 

What? Determine your products

In addition to doing calligraphy on invitations, you could do greeting cards, calligraphy on objects, or teach calligraphy classes. 

How much should you charge for calligraphy services?

Prices for calligraphy services will depend on the amount of lettering and generally range from $2 to $5 per piece. You should aim for a profit margin of about 90%.

Once you know your costs, you can use our profit margin calculator to determine your mark-up and final price points. Remember, the prices you use at launch should be subject to change if warranted by the market.

Who? Identify your target market

Your target market will probably be people planning weddings, who will tend to be younger. You can find them on sites like TikTok or Instagram.

Where? Choose your business premises

In the early stages, you may want to run your business from home to keep costs low. But you may want to later rent a studio space to offer classes. You can find commercial space to rent in your area on sites such as Craigslist, Crexi, and Instant Offices.

When choosing a commercial space, you may want to follow these rules of thumb:

• Central location accessible via public transport
• Ventilated and spacious, with good natural light
• Flexible lease that can be extended as your business grows
• Ready-to-use space with no major renovations or repairs needed

Step 3: Brainstorm a Calligraphy Business Name

Your business name is your business identity, so choose one that encapsulates your objectives, services, and mission in just a few words. You probably want a name that’s short and easy to remember, since much of your business, and your initial business in particular, will come from word-of-mouth referrals.

Here are some ideas for brainstorming your business name:

• Short, unique, and catchy names tend to stand out
• Names that are easy to say and spell tend to do better 
• Name should be relevant to your product or service offerings
• Ask around — family, friends, colleagues, social media — for suggestions
• Including keywords, such as “calligraphy” or “calligraphy services”, boosts SEO
• Name should allow for expansion, for ex: “Elegant Calligraphy Co.” over “Calligraphy for Book Covers”
• Avoid location-based names that might hinder future expansion

Discover over 280 unique calligraphy business name ideas here. If you want your business name to include specific keywords, you can also use our calligraphy business name generator. Just type in a few keywords and hit “generate” and you’ll have dozens of suggestions at your fingertips.

Once you’ve got a list of potential names, visit the website of the US Patent and Trademark Office to make sure they are available for registration and check the availability of related domain names using our Domain Name Search tool. Using “.com” or “.org” sharply increases credibility, so it’s best to focus on these. 

Finally, make your choice among the names that pass this screening and go ahead with domain registration and social media account creation. Your business name is one of the key differentiators that sets your business apart. Once you pick your company name, and start with the branding, it is hard to change the business name. Therefore, it’s important to carefully consider your choice before you start a business entity.

Step 4: Create a Calligraphy Business Plan

Every business needs a plan. This will function as a guidebook to take your startup through the launch process and maintain focus on your key goals. A business plan also enables potential partners and investors to better understand your company and its vision:

• Executive Summary: A concise overview highlighting the key aspects of the calligraphy business, including its mission, objectives, and projected success.
• Business Overview: An in-depth look at the calligraphy business, outlining its vision, mission, values, and the specific calligraphy services it intends to offer.
• Product and Services: Detailed descriptions of the various calligraphy services and products the business will provide, emphasizing uniqueness and value to customers.
• Market Analysis: Comprehensive research on the target market, identifying potential customers, trends, and demand for calligraphy services.
• Competitive Analysis: Evaluation of competitors in the calligraphy industry, highlighting strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to the business.
• Sales and Marketing: A strategic plan for promoting and selling calligraphy services, encompassing advertising, pricing, and promotional activities.
• Management Team: Introduction of key individuals responsible for the calligraphy business, showcasing their expertise and roles in ensuring the business’s success.
• Operations Plan: Details on the day-to-day operations of the calligraphy business, covering production processes, supply chain management, and facilities.
• Financial Plan: A comprehensive financial projection, including startup costs, revenue forecasts, and profit margins, providing a clear financial roadmap for the business.
• Appendix: Supplementary materials, such as additional market research, legal documents, or other relevant information supporting the calligraphy business plan.

If you’ve never created a business plan, it can be an intimidating task. You might consider hiring a business plan specialist to create a top-notch business plan for you.

Step 5: Register Your Business

Plus, registration is exciting because it makes the entire process official. Once it’s complete, you’ll have your own business! 

Choose where to register your company

Your business location is important because it can affect taxes, legal requirements, and revenue. Most people will register their business in the state where they live, but if you’re planning to expand, you might consider looking elsewhere, as some states could offer real advantages when it comes to calligraphy businesses. 

If you’re willing to move, you could really maximize your business! Keep in mind, it’s relatively easy to transfer your business to another state. 

Choose your business structure

Business entities come in several varieties, each with its pros and cons. The legal structure you choose for your calligraphy business will shape your taxes, personal liability, and business registration requirements, so choose wisely. 

Here are the main options:

• Sole Proprietorship – The most common structure for small businesses makes no legal distinction between company and owner. All income goes to the owner, who’s also liable for any debts, losses, or liabilities incurred by the business. The owner pays taxes on business income on his or her personal tax return.
• General Partnership – Similar to a sole proprietorship, but for two or more people. Again, owners keep the profits and are liable for losses. The partners pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.
• Limited Liability Company (LLC) – Combines the characteristics of corporations with those of sole proprietorships or partnerships. Again, the owners are not personally liable for debts.
• C Corp – Under this structure, the business is a distinct legal entity and the owner or owners are not personally liable for its debts. Owners take profits through shareholder dividends, rather than directly. The corporation pays taxes, and owners pay taxes on their dividends, which is sometimes referred to as double taxation.
• S Corp – An S-Corporation refers to the tax classification of the business but is not a business entity. An S-Corp can be either a corporation or an LLC, which just need to elect to be an S-Corp for tax status. In an S-Corp, income is passed through directly to shareholders, who pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.

We recommend that new business owners choose LLC as it offers liability protection and pass-through taxation while being simpler to form than a corporation. You can form an LLC in as little as five minutes using an online LLC formation service. They will check that your business name is available before filing, submit your articles of organization, and answer any questions you might have.

Form Your LLC

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Step 6: Register for Taxes

The final step before you’re able to pay taxes is getting an Employer Identification Number, or EIN. You can file for your EIN online or by mail or fax: visit the IRS website to learn more. Keep in mind, if you’ve chosen to be a sole proprietorship you can simply use your social security number as your EIN. 

Once you have your EIN, you’ll need to choose your tax year. Financially speaking, your business will operate in a calendar year (January–December) or a fiscal year, a 12-month period that can start in any month. This will determine your tax cycle, while your business structure will determine which taxes you’ll pay.

The IRS website also offers a tax-payers checklist, and taxes can be filed online.

It is important to consult an accountant or other professional to help you with your taxes to ensure you’re completing them correctly.

Step 7: Fund your Business

Securing financing is your next step and there are plenty of ways to raise capital:

• Bank loans: This is the most common method but getting approved requires a rock-solid business plan and strong credit history.
• SBA-guaranteed loans: The Small Business Administration can act as guarantor, helping gain that elusive bank approval via an SBA-guaranteed loan.
• Government grants: A handful of financial assistance programs help fund entrepreneurs. Visit Grants.gov to learn which might work for you.
• Friends and Family: Reach out to friends and family to provide a business loan or investment in your concept. It’s a good idea to have legal advice when doing so because SEC regulations apply.
• Crowdfunding: Websites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo offer an increasingly popular low-risk option, in which donors fund your vision. Entrepreneurial crowdfunding sites like Fundable and WeFunder enable multiple investors to fund your business.
• Personal: Self-fund your business via your savings or the sale of property or other assets.

Bank and SBA loans are probably the best option, other than friends and family, for funding a calligraphy business. You might also try crowdfunding if you have an innovative concept. 

Step 8: Apply for Licenses and Permits

Starting a calligraphy business requires obtaining a number of licenses and permits from local, state, and federal governments.

Federal regulations, licenses, and permits associated with starting your business include doing business as (DBA), health licenses and permits from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), trademarks, copyrights, patents, and other intellectual properties, as well as industry-specific licenses and permits. 

You may also need state-level and local county or city-based licenses and permits. The license requirements and how to obtain them vary, so check the websites of your state, city, and county governments or contact the appropriate person to learn more. 

You could also check this SBA guide for your state’s requirements, but we recommend using MyCorporation’s Business License Compliance Package. They will research the exact forms you need for your business and state and provide them to ensure you’re fully compliant.

If you feel overwhelmed by this step or don’t know how to begin, it might be a good idea to hire a professional to help you check all the legal boxes.

Step 9: Open a Business Bank Account

Before you start making money, you’ll need a place to keep it, and that requires opening a bank account.

Keeping your business finances separate from your personal account makes it easy to file taxes and track your company’s income, so it’s worth doing even if you’re running your calligraphy business as a sole proprietorship. Opening a business bank account is quite simple, and similar to opening a personal one. Most major banks offer accounts tailored for businesses — just inquire at your preferred bank to learn about their rates and features.

Banks vary in terms of offerings, so it’s a good idea to examine your options and select the best plan for you. Once you choose your bank, bring in your EIN (or Social Security Number if you decide on a sole proprietorship), articles of incorporation, and other legal documents and open your new account. 

Step 10: Get Business Insurance

Business insurance is an area that often gets overlooked yet it can be vital to your success as an entrepreneur. Insurance protects you from unexpected events that can have a devastating impact on your business.

Here are some types of insurance to consider:

• General liability: The most comprehensive type of insurance, acting as a catch-all for many business elements that require coverage. If you get just one kind of insurance, this is it. It even protects against bodily injury and property damage.
• Business Property: Provides coverage for your equipment and supplies.
• Equipment Breakdown Insurance: Covers the cost of replacing or repairing equipment that has broken due to mechanical issues.
• Worker’s compensation: Provides compensation to employees injured on the job.
• Property: Covers your physical space, whether it is a cart, storefront, or office.
• Commercial auto: Protection for your company-owned vehicle.
• Professional liability: Protects against claims from a client who says they suffered a loss due to an error or omission in your work.
• Business owner’s policy (BOP): This is an insurance plan that acts as an all-in-one insurance policy, a combination of the above insurance types.

Step 11: Prepare to Launch

As opening day nears, prepare for launch by reviewing and improving some key elements of your business. 

Essential software and tools

Being an entrepreneur often means wearing many hats, from marketing to sales to accounting, which can be overwhelming. Fortunately, many websites and digital tools are available to help simplify many business tasks. 

You may want to use industry-specific software, such as Scoro, dubsado, or Monday, to manage your projects, workflows, scheduling, and invoicing. 

Accounting

• Popular web-based accounting programs for smaller businesses include Quickbooks, Freshbooks, and Xero. 
• If you’re unfamiliar with basic accounting, you may want to hire a professional, especially as you begin. The consequences for filing incorrect tax documents can be harsh, so accuracy is crucial. 

Develop your website

Website development is crucial because your site is your online presence and needs to convince prospective clients of your expertise and professionalism.

You can create your own website using website builders. This route is very affordable, but figuring out how to build a website can be time-consuming. If you lack tech-savvy, you can hire a web designer or developer to create a custom website for your business.

Your clients are unlikely to find your website, however, unless you follow Search Engine Optimization (SEO) practices. These are steps that help pages rank higher in the results of top search engines like Google. 

Marketing

For your calligraphy business, the marketing strategy should highlight your artistic excellence, attention to detail, and the bespoke nature of your services. It’s about showcasing the elegance and personal touch your artistry brings to every project, and how that elevates the aesthetic appeal for your clients. Here are some powerful marketing strategies for your future business:

Kickstart Marketing

• Professional Branding: Ensure your branding reflects the artistic and elegant nature of your calligraphy services, from your logo to your promotional materials.
• Direct Outreach: Contact event planners, designers, and related businesses to introduce your services.

Digital Presence and Online Marketing

• Professional Website and SEO: Develop a visually stunning website showcasing your calligraphy portfolio and optimize it for keywords that clients seeking custom calligraphy would use.
• Social Media Engagement: Leverage platforms like Instagram and Pinterest to showcase your work and engage with a community interested in art, design, and calligraphy.

Content Marketing and Engagement

• Calligraphy Tips Blog: Share articles about calligraphy techniques, history, project ideas, and tips for those interested in learning or appreciating the art form.
• Client Testimonials and Project Spotlights: Highlight feedback and stories from satisfied clients, showcasing the diverse applications of your calligraphy.
• Content Marketing: Create and share visually appealing content like eBooks or infographics that showcase the beauty and utility of custom calligraphy.

Experiential and In-Person Engagements

• Workshops and Classes: Offer calligraphy workshops or classes to engage with the community and demonstrate your expertise.
• Gallery Openings and Art Fairs: Participate in local art events to exhibit your work and interact with potential clients and art enthusiasts.

Collaborations and Community

• Partnerships with Event Planners and Designers: Collaborate with professionals in event planning and design to offer a comprehensive package for weddings, corporate events, and other functions.
• Local Art Events: Engage in or sponsor local art events to increase brand visibility and connect with the local art community.

Customer Relationship and Loyalty Programs

• Referral Programs: Implement a program where past clients receive a benefit for referring new customers to your business.
• Repeat Customer Incentives: Offer special deals or personalized services for clients who return for more of your calligraphy services.

Promotions and Advertising

• Targeted Advertising: Utilize platforms like Facebook and Instagram, which are visually oriented, to reach individuals and businesses interested in custom calligraphy.
• Email Newsletters: Distribute a regular newsletter showcasing your latest work, calligraphy tips, and exclusive offers for subscribers.

Focus on USPs

Unique selling propositions, or USPs, are the characteristics of a product or service that sets it apart from the competition. Customers today are inundated with buying options, so you’ll have a real advantage if they are able to quickly grasp how your calligraphy business meets their needs or wishes. It’s wise to do all you can to ensure your USPs stand out on your website and in your marketing and promotional materials, stimulating buyer desire. 

Global pizza chain Domino’s is renowned for its USP: “Hot pizza in 30 minutes or less, guaranteed.” Signature USPs for your calligraphy business could be: 

• Professional calligraphy for all your big events
• Want classic personalization? Calligraphy for any item
• Handwritten thank you notes done with stunning calligraphy

Networking

You may not like to network or use personal connections for business gain. But your personal and professional networks likely offer considerable untapped business potential. Maybe that Facebook friend you met in college is now running a calligraphy business, or a LinkedIn contact of yours is connected to dozens of potential clients. Maybe your cousin or neighbor has been working in calligraphy for years and can offer invaluable insight and industry connections. 

The possibilities are endless, so it’s a good idea to review your personal and professional networks and reach out to those with possible links to or interest in calligraphy. You’ll probably generate new customers or find companies with which you could establish a partnership. 

Step 12: Build Your Team

If you’re starting out small from a home office, you may not need any employees. But as your business grows, you will likely need workers to fill various roles. Potential positions for a calligraphy business include:

• Calligraphers – assist with calligraphy services
• General Manager– scheduling, accounting
• Marketing Lead – SEO strategies, social media

At some point, you may need to hire all of these positions or simply a few, depending on the size and needs of your business. You might also hire multiple workers for a single role or a single worker for multiple roles, again depending on need. 

Free-of-charge methods to recruit employees include posting ads on popular platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, or Jobs.com. You might also consider a premium recruitment option, such as advertising on Indeed, Glassdoor, or ZipRecruiter. Further, if you have the resources, you could consider hiring a recruitment agency to help you find talent. 

Step 13: Run a Calligraphy Business – Start Making Money!

A personal touch with hand lettering is a beautiful thing that hopefully will never be obsolete. If you have a creative touch, starting a calligraphy business could help keep that tradition alive. It can also be very lucrative, yet takes a very small investment. You can start from home and get in on a billion-dollar market. 

You’ve got the business knowledge, now it’s time to start writing your way to success!