What It's Like Ordering Custom Calligraphy with Me
I talk about this a lot, but I truly believe it and find it to be true in every piece I make: Calligraphy tells a story. The words themselves and the art of the calligraphy come together in a powerful way. They are more than just words; they are more than just art. They are conversation starters, statement pieces, storytellers.
When I take on custom pieces, I do my best to tell your story through my art. Additionally, all of my calligraphy is written by hand. I’m not just using a fancy-looking font and typing it out, but I’m actually hand-writing each stroke, taking care of both the placement and art of each one. By ordering a custom calligraphy piece from me, you are getting a piece that has been designed specifically for you.
On my calligraphy services page, I outline my custom order process in 4 basic steps: (1) Consultation, (2) Booking, (3) Creation, and (4) Shipment. I’m going to expand on each of those four steps to give you a in-depth look at the process of ordering custom calligraphy with me.
1. Consultation
First, we’ll schedule a free, 15-minute consultation so that I can learn more about what you’re looking for and give you a preliminary quote.
In order to book a consultation, you’ll need to fill out an inquiry form on my website. Before even filling out the inquiry form, however, there are a couple things I’d like you to keep in mind when approaching me (or any other calligrapher or artist):
- Each calligrapher has their own distinct style. I’d encourage you to take a look at my work to get a feel for what I can do! I talk more about calligraphers and the styles we are able to provide in my blog post, “5 Terms You Need to Know Before You Hire a Calligrapher.” If you don’t see something that you have a vision for, though, please don’t hesitate to ask! I’d love to see if it’s something that I can provide for you.
- Please do not ask me to copy another’s work. If you see another person’s work that you like, ask that person to make it for you! Please don’t come to me, show me the piece, and ask me if I will recreate it. That is an infringement on the artist’s copyright, and it’s not only disrespectful to the original artist, it’s also illegal.
Once you fill out the inquiry form on my website, we’ll set up a time for a call so that I can learn more about what you’re looking for. This is where I get to hear more about your story, or the WHY behind the piece. (Who is it for? Where is it going? What does the quote mean to you? What’s your story?) Especially for weddings, I love when you share Pinterest boards or other inspiration during this time. Sharing these with me greatly helps me fully grasp your vision.
The final things we’ll discuss at the consultation are your preferences and the options available regarding colors, styles, inks, papers, etc. We don’t need to decide on the final details at this time, but I need to know what you’re interested in so that I can give an accurate quote that itemizes variations that may cause differences in cost. Other factors that determine the quote include (but aren’t limited to) the supplies needed to create it, the number of words, the size of the piece, whether there are any illustrations, and how long it would take me to create it.
2. Booking
If everything sounds good (and I think it will!), I’ll send over an official quote. Your commission slot will be considered booked once I receive a 50% retainer.
The booking stage is fairly straightforward. After our consultation, I’ll send over an official quote with the scope of work and a cost estimate. The quote and accompanying terms will need to be signed before I begin any work. Once this is signed, you are officially booked!
If the order is over $100, I also require a 50% retainer before beginning work. The reason I ask for a retainer upfront is hold your place in my queue of clients. It guarantees that I will spend time working on your piece instead of using that time to work with other clients. Essentially, once you pay your retainer, the spot is considered officially yours!
3. Creation
I’ll work on the piece, keeping you updated along the way! This typically takes 2 to 3 weeks.
As I start working on the piece, I always keep in mind your story and vision. First, I work on some initial sketches of the piece to create a rough draft, which I then send to you for approval. I never start working on the final piece until you approve the final design and layout. I allow for unlimited revisions, so I’ll keep tweaking the piece until you are happy with it!
Once this rough draft is approved, I’ll start working on the final piece. I like to send you little updates, so you may get a few sneak peeks here and there (but let me know if you prefer not to get any!).
4. Shipment
Once the piece is completed and I receive the remainder of the payment, I’ll send the final product over to you!
The last step is also pretty self-explanatory. Once I complete the piece, I’ll send you a photo of the final product. Then the remainder of the payment is due. Once the final invoice is paid, I’ll ship the piece out to you!
And that’s it! I always love to see what the piece looks like in your home, so don’t forget to share with me! Tag me @greencountrycreative on Instagram!
Ready to take the first step?
I hope you feel confident with the process now that you’ve gotten an inside look on what it’s like to order custom calligraphy with me. If you ever have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out! I love hearing from you!
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