You’ve mastered calligraphy, and now you’re ready to turn that talent into a business. Whether you’re looking to earn extra income or make calligraphy your full-time gig, the possibilities are endless. But if you’re thinking, “How do I start a calligraphy business at home? Where do I even start?” don’t worry, this blog was made for you.

When I first started, I was overwhelmed by all the options, too. I was formally trained in Chinese calligraphy as a child, but as an adult, I rediscovered calligraphy as an escape from a stressful tech job. Now, I do it full-time and help others start successful calligraphy businesses as well.

So, whether you’re wondering if you should sell products on Etsy, take on custom commissions, or dive into weddings and events - I’ve been there and can guide you through it. Let’s walk through the steps to help you turn your hobby into a profitable venture - without all the guesswork.

And if you're serious about turning your calligraphy passion into a business, don't miss my free, on-demand masterclass on how I went from beginner to $25 Etsy sales to four-figure wedding jobs in less than 6 months.

How Much Can You Make as a Calligrapher?

Before we dive in, I know the biggest question you want to ask is, “How much can you make as a calligrapher?” Well, it depends on what services you offer.

Wedding calligraphers tend to have higher earning potential, making anywhere from $300 to $3,000+ per project, depending on the scope and complexity. Live calligraphy for brands, retail activations, and other organizations or even weddings is also a big area of growth and opportunity for calligraphers, with rates typically starting at $150+ per hour. Offering personalized calligraphy products, like custom acrylic ornaments or cards, can bring in anywhere from $5 to $50+ per product, depending on what you’re creating.

The potential is there, especially if you’re pricing yourself properly and incorporating multiple income streams into your business. And if you focus on higher-ticket events, like weddings, your earning potential increases. I do mostly wedding calligraphy now, with some fun live events mixed in. Most calligraphers test the waters first to see what they like doing, and what brings them the best continuous income streams.

11 Ways to Make Money With Calligraphy

There are so many ways to turn your calligraphy into income streams. From creating custom products on Etsy to working with clients, you have options.

Here are some of the most popular ways calligraphers turn their passion into profit. Most of these I’ve tried myself, and others come highly recommended by my friends and students. The beauty of calligraphy is that you don’t need to box yourself into just one thing. Find a couple of ideas that excite you and try them out.

Wedding Invitations

Wedding invitations and stationery are core products for many calligraphers. Couples love handmade, one-of-a-kind touches and are willing to invest in custom calligraphy for their big day.

Envelope Addressing

Clients adore the elevated feel of hand-addressed envelopes. Some couples will want you to do wedding invites and envelopes, while others will only need envelopes addressed - either way, it’s an easy upsell if you’re already working on their invitations.

Wedding Signage and Day-of Details

From welcome signs to seating charts, place cards to custom bar signs with a hand-drawn illustration of the couple's pup - you’ll never get tired of the creative signage requests your couples come up with. Wedding signage is a high-demand service for calligraphers. These details enhance the overall event experience and can be a substantial revenue source. (Get more information about how to get paid to do wedding calligraphy here!)

Live Event Calligraphy

Offering on-site calligraphy at events or corporate parties is a fun way to attract attention and supplement your income. I’ve been hired to personalize holiday ornaments, personalize vases for Mother’s Day, and more. If you enjoy interacting and delighting guests in person, you’ll love this!

Host Calligraphy Workshops

If you have a passion for teaching, you should consider sharing this beautiful art form we love with your community. You can host calligraphy workshops online, in person, or even as part of corporate events and retreats.

Custom Commissions

From family quotes on framed glass to baby shower signs and ornaments, custom commissions are always in demand. You can offer these on your website or platforms like Etsy.

Hand Engraving

If you want to branch out into different mediums or offer more upsell items, hand engraving is in high demand, especially for live calligraphy events. You can offer personalized glassware, perfumes, leather items, or metal water bottles and dog tags - the possibilities are endless! You can also offer this service in-studio as an add on for your wedding clients or anyone who is looking for a special gift. People love it and you’ll enjoy the variation it can bring.

Corporate Signage

Companies are always in need of branding and signage. You can create repeat customers by offering your services for chalkboard street signs or calligraphy on store windows. Offering your calligraphy services to corporate clients opens up a whole new market with potentially higher-paying projects. Even if you specialize in weddings, working with corporate clients in the off-season is a great way to shake things up.

Murals

Murals, whether in homes, businesses, or public spaces, are a fun way to use your calligraphy skills on a larger scale. You’ll need to be comfortable working on ladders with onlookers watching, of course. But seeing your work displayed forever in a popular downtown area? That can be so rewarding.

Branding and Logo Design

Many businesses, especially boutique brands and other creative businesses, are looking for unique calligraphy-based logos for branding. It’s a popular service that pairs well if you have a graphic design background or want to start licensing your work to brand strategists.

Home Goods, Cards, and Prints

If product creation is more your style, selling calligraphy-inspired home goods, prints, and greeting cards on Etsy or other e-commerce sites is a great option, especially around the holidays.

Where Is the Best Place to Sell Calligraphy?

Now that you know where you can make money, let’s talk about where you can sell your calligraphy work.

Etsy

Etsy is one of the most popular platforms for selling calligraphy, and it’s a great place to get started. It gives you access to a large audience, and the setup process is easy. Plus, Etsy is a trusted platform, so clients feel confident purchasing from you.

However, Etsy has some huge downsides. The competition is fierce, and you’ll be dealing with listing fees and transaction fees that cut into your profits. You’re also in competition with everyone else selling similar products. (In fact, Etsy will show those similar products to people who are browsing your shop!)

A Better Way to Sell

Etsy is a great platform to sell your products, but there are shifts you can make when you’re ready to get more high-ticket projects, like wedding calligraphy or custom Etsy projects. In my masterclass, I share how I transitioned from $25 Etsy sales to four-figure wedding jobs and attracted clients who truly value my work. You can make that shift right away, even as a new business - sign up for my on-demand masterclass to learn how!

Do You Need to Be a Business First?

This is the second most common question I get asked. Do you need to set up a formal business before you start selling calligraphy? Since I’m not a lawyer, I can’t give you legal advice, but as a business mentor, I would suggest setting up your business before making sales. From my experience, I see a lot of calligraphers in the US start their businesses either as a sole proprietor or as a single-member LLC (limited liability company).

My advice is to set up an LLC if you can because it separates your business liability from your personal liability, and is often easy to set up with little cost. (My LLC took me 10 minutes to sign up for and only cost $50!) You don’t even have to file separate taxes as a single-member LLC. Both business entities let you file your business taxes along with your personal taxes. There’s a lot more to this topic that depends on your circumstances, so best practice is to consult a lawyer!

Getting Calligraphy Clients

At the end of the day, starting a calligraphy business comes down to one thing - getting clients. I have a whole course dedicated to doing this, so I won’t dive too deep. I will say that getting comfortable putting yourself out there is a powerful step forward. Sharing your work with friends, family, and new audiences might feel unfamiliar at first, but it’s also a chance to connect with people who appreciate your unique talent. Instead of relying solely on platforms like Etsy, embracing your new identity as a business owner and sharing about your work allows you to build trust and create a more personal connection with your clients.

Start small, take it one step at a time, and remember—you’re building a brand that’s as inspiring as the art you create! Start first by telling friends that you are a calligrapher. I started by saying it to a mirror first before I did even that because it really did take some time to own that identity!

You’ll Never Regret Starting Your Calligraphy Business

Starting a calligraphy business can be intimidating, but it’s worth it because no matter what happens, you will learn something valuable through the journey of entrepreneurship. You may even surprise yourself with where it takes you because you truly can’t really envision all the possibilities before you start! Before I end this blog, I’m going to give you the same advice I give all new calligraphers.

While there are many ways for you to make money with your talent, I believe weddings should be one of your primary focuses and income streams. Even if you’re just starting out. Wedding calligraphy is a lucrative niche. There are thousands of couples all around you, who value personalization and are willing to invest heavily in making their day unique and memorable.

I went from making $25 Etsy sales to four-figure wedding jobs. That shift allowed me to quit my stressful tech job, support my family, and have the schedule freedom and income to do what I love. You can do the same, even if you’re just starting your business.

Take my free masterclass, 3 Steps to Booking Your Dream Wedding Clients, so I can show you how to:

Identify and overcome common mistakes and mindset blocks that are keeping you from making sales.
Learn my proven three-step framework to successfully launch your calligraphy business and attract your ideal wedding clients.
Discover the key shift that took me from $25 Etsy sales to four-figure wedding jobs—and how you can make that shift too.

You don’t have to wait to “get more experience” to start making a career out of calligraphy. You can start now—and I’ll show you how! Watch my free masterclass and start implementing today!

How to Start a Calligraphy Business

How Much Can You Make as a Calligrapher?