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Begin with confidence

A simple, welcoming way to start calligraphy

Starting calligraphy should feel exciting, not overwhelming. This page explains the essential tools and brings together Jane’s recommended products for a dependable first setup.

Jane recommends

Begin with a comfortable holder, a forgiving nib, dependable ink and paper that will not fight against you. A small, well-chosen kit is far more useful than a drawer full of confusing supplies.

Already have the basics? Visit Developing Your Skills for thoughtful upgrades and new techniques. See your next steps →

Helpful guidance

What to consider

Pen holder and nib The holder gives comfort and control; the nib creates the characteristic thick and thin strokes.

For pointed-pen calligraphy, choose a holder that feels balanced and a nib known for being responsive without being excessively delicate. Straight holders are familiar and versatile, while oblique holders can help with traditional slanted scripts.

Ink A dependable practice ink lets you concentrate on letterforms rather than materials.

Begin with a well-behaved black ink designed for dip pens. Highly decorative, metallic or unusually thick inks are great fun later, but a reliable practice ink gives clearer feedback while you learn.

Paper and guidelines Smooth paper protects the nib and helps prevent feathering and bleeding.

Ordinary printer paper can make practice unnecessarily frustrating. Use smooth practice paper or a suitable pad, together with guidelines that help establish consistent height, spacing and slant.

Guidance and practice A good book, class or structured worksheet turns supplies into progress.

Short, regular practice is more valuable than occasional long sessions. Choose one script, learn its basic strokes, and build letters from those shapes before worrying about speed or elaborate flourishes.

Selected for this stage

Beginner-Friendly Pens and Nibs

Reliable tools that help you learn pressure, control and consistent letterforms.

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William Mitchell multi-purpose nib holder

William Mitchell multi-purpose nib holder 2

Nibs, holders and reservoirs

William Mitchell multi-purpose nib holder

by William Mitchell (Calligraphy) Ltd

£3.50

The William Mitchell multi-purpose nib holder is a simple, practical calligraphy pen holder designed to fit your favourite fine-point or chisel nib, making it a useful everyday tool for a wide range of lettering styles.

Speedball Oblique Nib Holder

Speedball Oblique Nib Holder 2

Nibs, holders and reservoirs

Speedball Oblique Nib Holder – Calligraphy Pen

£4.25

Speedball Oblique Nib Holder is a comfortable, easy-to-use calligraphy pen holder designed for pointed pen lettering. The angled flange helps position your nib for smoother strokes and a consistent slant—ideal for Copperplate, Spencerian and modern calligraphy.

Speedball Nib Holder

Nibs, holders and reservoirs

Speedball Nib Holder

£3.50

The Speedball pen holder is designed to hold your favourite fine-point or chisel nib. You can use this basic nib holder for all types of calligraphy.

Manuscript Victoriana collector’s round hand set N46011

Manuscript Victoriana collector’s round hand set N46011 2

Nibs, holders and reservoirs

Manuscript Victoriana collector’s round hand set – N46011

£45.00

The Manuscript Victoriana collector’s round hand set – N46011 is a beautifully presented Heritage Collection set with 10 genuine D. Leonardt & Co round hand nibs, a nut-brown wooden nib holder, and an ink reservoir. Designed and made in Britain, it is an elegant choice for broad-edge calligraphy, formal scripts, and thoughtful creative gifting.

Manuscript Victoriana nib collection set N46031 presentation box

Nibs, holders and reservoirs

Manuscript Victoriana nib collection – set N46031

£38.00

The Manuscript Victoriana nib collection – set N46031 is a beautifully presented set of 10 genuine D. Leonardt & Co nibs, housed in an elegant drawer-style box with foil-blocked Victoriana detailing. Made in Britain, this versatile collection is ideal for calligraphy, drawing, illustration, collecting, and thoughtful creative gifting.

Set of 10 fine-point calligraphy nibs by Bortoletti

Set of 10 fine-point calligraphy nibs by Bortoletti 2

Nibs, holders and reservoirs

Bortoletti set of 10 vintage calligraphy nibs

£20.00

Bortoletti set of 10 vintage calligraphy nibs includes ten fine-point calligraphy nibs designed to fit all Bortoletti pens. Ideal for elegant handwriting, traditional calligraphy practice, and expressive ink work, this versatile set is a practical choice for anyone who enjoys the beauty and rhythm of dip pen writing.

Manuscript set of Leonardt copperplate nibs for dip pen calligraphy

Nibs, holders and reservoirs

Manuscript set of Leonardt copperplate nibs

£6.50

The Manuscript set of Leonardt copperplate nibs includes three popular nib styles for traditional pointed-pen calligraphy: Crown, Point Extra Fine, and Shorthand. Made in the UK, this practical nib set is ideal for learning, practising, and refining copperplate and fine script work with a dip pen.

Manuscript round hand nibs set 1 with sizes 1, 2 and 3

Nibs, holders and reservoirs

Manuscript round hand nibs – set 1

£6.50

Manuscript round hand nibs – set 1 includes three steel nibs in sizes 1, 2 and 3, each fitted with a reservoir for longer writing between dips. Made in the UK, this practical set is ideal for learning, practising, and refining traditional round hand calligraphy with a dip pen.

Manuscript round hand nibs set 2 with sizes 1.5, 2.5 and 3.5

Nibs, holders and reservoirs

Manuscript round hand nibs – set 2

£6.50

Manuscript round hand nibs – set 2 includes three steel nibs in sizes 1.5, 2.5 and 3.5, each fitted with a reservoir for longer writing between dips. Made in the UK, this practical set is ideal for learning, practising, and refining traditional round hand calligraphy with a dip pen.

Manuscript round hand nibs set 3 with sizes 0, 4 and 6

Nibs, holders and reservoirs

Manuscript round hand nibs – set 3

£6.50

Manuscript round hand nibs – set 3 includes three steel nibs in sizes 0, 4 and 6, each fitted with a reservoir for longer writing between dips. Made in the UK, this practical set is ideal for learning, practising, and refining traditional round hand calligraphy with a dip pen.

Manuscript left-handed Leonardt round hand nib set for dip pen calligraphy

Nibs, holders and reservoirs

Manuscript left-handed Leonardt round hand nibs

£6.50

Manuscript left-handed Leonardt round hand nibs include a set of three different sizes for traditional broad-edge calligraphy with a dip pen. Made in the UK, this practical nib set is ideal for left-handed calligraphers who want better stroke control for learning, practising, and refining formal lettering styles.

Manuscript Shadow nibs set of 3 for decorative calligraphy

Nibs, holders and reservoirs

Manuscript Shadow nibs – set of 3

£6.50

Manuscript Shadow nibs – set of 3 are speciality dip-pen nibs designed to create a bold ribbon-like stroke with a fine offset shadow line for added depth and drama. Made in the UK, this decorative nib set is ideal for titles, borders, illuminated initials, place cards, certificates, and creative display lettering.

Selected for this stage

Dependable Inks for Practice

Straightforward inks that let you focus on learning rather than troubleshooting the material.

Higgins Eternal Ink

Higgins Eternal Ink 2

Higgins Calligraphy Ink

Higgins Eternal Ink for Calligraphy 73.9ml (2.5 fl oz)

£10.50

Higgins Eternal Ink is a permanent, waterproof black ink trusted by calligraphers, illustrators and artists for generations. Supplied in a larger 73.9ml (2.5 fl oz) bottle, it provides smooth flow and deep archival-quality colour ideal for dip pen calligraphy and drawing.

Bortoletti Amber Leonardo calligraphy ink bottle

Bortoletti Amber Leonardo calligraphy ink bottle 2

Bortoletti Calligraphy Ink

Bortoletti Calligraphy Ink – Amber (Leonardo) 30ml

£7.50

Bortoletti Calligraphy Ink – Amber (Leonardo) is a premium 30ml dip pen ink produced in Italy by Hamburg for Bortoletti. Supplied in a wide-neck glass bottle for easy nib access, it delivers smooth flow and a warm amber tone ideal for calligraphy and decorative lettering.

PAScribe black pointed ink 45 ml bottle

PAScribe black pointed ink 45 ml bottle 2

PAScribe Calligraphy Ink

PAScribe black pointed ink 45ml

£13.00

The PAScribe black pointed ink 45 ml is a deeply black calligraphy ink developed for pointed nib work, helping calligraphers achieve crisp hairlines, controlled shaded strokes, and clean, precise lettering. Created for modern pointed-pen practice and chosen by Calligraphy Arts UK for its reliable performance, it offers the feel of traditional iron gall...

Hamburg Alfonsina - rust Italian calligraphy ink

Hamburg Alfonsina - rust Italian calligraphy ink 2

Hamburg Calligraphy Ink

Hamburg Calligraphy Ink – Rust (Alfonsina) 30ml

£7.50

Hamburg Calligraphy Ink – Rust (Alfonsina) is a high-quality 30ml dip pen ink developed using traditional European ink-making expertise. Offering smooth flow and a warm rust tone, it is ideal for calligraphy, lettering and artistic writing.

Hamburg Pink Mona Lisa calligraphy ink 30ml bottle

Hamburg Pink Mona Lisa calligraphy ink 30ml bottle 2

Hamburg Calligraphy Ink

Hamburg Calligraphy Ink – Pink (Mona Lisa) 30ml

£7.50

Hamburg Calligraphy Ink – Pink (Mona Lisa) is a high-quality 30ml dip pen ink developed using traditional European ink-making expertise. Offering smooth flow and a refined pink tone, it is ideal for calligraphy, lettering and decorative writing.

Bortoletti Black Cagliostro calligraphy ink 30ml bottle

Bortoletti Black Cagliostro calligraphy ink 30ml bottle 2

Bortoletti Calligraphy Ink

Bortoletti Calligraphy Ink – Black (Cagliostro) 30ml

£7.50

Bortoletti Calligraphy Ink – Black (Cagliostro) is a premium 30ml dip pen ink produced in Italy by Hamburg for Bortoletti. Supplied in a wide-neck glass bottle for easy nib access, it provides smooth flow and deep black colour ideal for calligraphy and lettering.

PAScribe black edged ink 45 ml bottle

PAScribe black edged ink 45 ml bottle 2

PAScribe Calligraphy Ink

PAScribe black edged ink 45 ml

£13.00

The PAScribe black edged ink 45 ml is a richly pigmented calligraphy ink developed for broad-edged nibs and quills, producing deep black strokes with smooth flow and excellent coverage. Chosen by Calligraphy Arts UK for its practical performance in formal lettering, it offers a tactile, painterly writing experience with the ease of a dependable...

Hamburg Eleonora - bordeaux Italian calligraphy ink

Hamburg Eleonora - bordeaux Italian calligraphy ink 2

Hamburg Calligraphy Ink

Hamburg Calligraphy Ink – Bordeaux (Eleonora) 30ml

£7.50

Hamburg Calligraphy Ink – Bordeaux (Eleonora) is a high-quality 30ml dip pen ink developed using traditional European ink-making expertise. Offering smooth flow and a deep bordeaux tone, it is ideal for calligraphy, lettering and decorative writing.

Selected for this stage

Paper, Pads and Practice Guides

Smooth surfaces and useful guides that make early practice more rewarding.

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Calligraphy Arts premium writing paper A4 210gsm

Calligraphy Arts premium writing paper A4 210gsm 2

Journals and Calligraphy Paper

Calligraphy Arts premium writing paper A4 210gsm

by Calligraphy Arts

£9.00

The Calligraphy Arts premium writing paper pad includes 25 sheets of ultra-smooth, acid-free 210gsm A4 paper, offering an excellent surface for calligraphy, creative lettering and polished finished pieces.

Seawhite bleed-proof marker pad 70gsm

Seawhite bleed-proof marker pad 70gsm 2

Journals and Calligraphy Paper

Seawhite bleed-proof layout marker pad 70gsm

by Seawhite of Brighton

£6.00

The Seawhite bleed-proof marker pad features 50 sheets of ultra-smooth 70gsm paper with a bright white finish, making it ideal for marker work, layout design, calligraphy planning and creative studio use.

Calligraphy Arts 50 sheets of tracing paper pad A4 60gsm

Journals and Calligraphy Paper

Calligraphy Arts tracing paper pad A4 60gsm

tracing-paper-pad

£10.50

The Calligraphy Arts tracing paper pad includes 50 sheets of high-quality acid-free A4 tracing paper, offering a smooth, strong and translucent surface for technical pens, markers, pencils and careful design work.

Selected for this stage

Books, Classes and Learning Resources

Structured help for understanding basic strokes, letter construction and regular practice.

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Calligraphy Arts modern calligraphy booklet

Calligraphy Arts modern calligraphy booklet 2

Books

Calligraphy Arts modern calligraphy booklet

by Calligraphy Arts

£7.00

The Calligraphy Arts modern calligraphy booklet by Jane Lappage is a clear beginner-friendly introduction to modern calligraphy, with lines, letters, alphabet practice, flourishes, tips and useful phrases to support your learning.

Calligraphy Arts UK modern calligraphy starter pack

Special Deals

Calligraphy Arts modern calligraphy starter pack

by Calligraphy Arts

start-pack-new2

£30.00

The Calligraphy Arts modern calligraphy starter pack brings together the essential tools Jane uses in her workshops and classes, making it an ideal beginner-friendly set for learning modern calligraphy at home. What the starter pack includes A Speedball pen holder Two fine point nibs One "Arabic Gold" Coliro watercolour A pure sable brush A pack...