Envelope calligraphy is one my absolute favorite things to offer my clients, and when someone contacts me for envelope calligraphy, my heart does a little happy dance. And I can almost guarantee that your recipients' hearts will do that same little happy dance when they pull a beautiful, hand-calligraphed envelope out of their mailbox (especially if it's stuck between a bunch of bills and junk mail!).
I often get asked what the process is like for envelope calligraphy since most people have never worked with a calligrapher before - so that is what I am going to share with you today!
STEP ONE | GET IN TOUCH WITH ME!
In order to book your spot in my calendar for envelope calligraphy, you'll first have to reach out to me with a few details. My calligraphy and hand lettering work is completely customized to fit your needs, and I therefore ask you to follow a certain process for reserving time in my schedule. When getting touch with me about envelope calligraphy and other calligraphy services, I ask that you fill out this questionnaire.
It has some basic questions to cover the following:
Your name and contact information, as well as where you are located (city/state) for shipping purposes
Information about your wedding that helps me suggest calligraphy styles to fit the event
The quantity of envelopes you want calligraphed
Size of envelopes being calligraphed
Type of envelopes (opaque, lined, shimmery, etc.)
Preferred ink color
Date of your event
Date envelopes need to be completed and in your hands by
Any extra services you want to add (wax seals and envelope liners are favorites!)
After you fill out the questionnaire, I will reach back out to you via e-mail with any other questions I may have. Once I have all the details I need, I will provide you with my availability, a custom quote, and 3 suggestions for calligraphy styles based on the style of your event. If you have a style of calligraphy you love, feel free to send it to me as inspiration.
STEP TWO | LETTER OF AGREEMENT + RETAINER
Once you approve the custom quote and select your calligraphy style, we will both take a look at our schedules and set a start date. Once we have set an agreed start date, I will send you your 50% non-refundable retainer invoice and letter of agreement. The 50% retainer will be due before any calligraphy work can begin. The remaining 50% + any additional fees incurred will be invoiced once your envelopes are completed, and will be due before I can deliver the envelopes back to you.
STEP THREE | YOUR ENVELOPES + GUEST LIST
Once you have signed the letter of agreement and paid the 50% retainer invoice, I will have you ship your envelopes to me. If you don't already have envelopes, I would be happy to order envelopes for you at cost. I do ask that you provide 15-20% extra envelopes to account for ink splatters and/or human error. If you are local to the Rochester, Minnesota area, we can meet in person to exchange the items, letter of agreement and payment (if you prefer to pay by check).
I will also need a digital typed copy of your guest list, in either a Word or Excel document (it will not be accepted in any other format). I am happy to provide templates for you, and a free addressing etiquette guide is available below. The document you send me will need to be completely spelling and grammar-error free, as I cannot be held liable for any errors in the document you provide to me.
STEP FOUR | ENVELOPES COMPLETED + FINAL INVOICE DUE
Once your envelopes are completed, I will send you over your final invoice and an email letting you know so that we can arrange a time to ship them back to you. If you are local to the Rochester, Minnesota area or live less than an hour away, I am happy to meet up to exchange them in person. The final invoice will need to be paid before I can hand over the envelopes.
STEP FIVE | ENJOY!
Once the completed envelopes are in your hands, it's time for you to enjoy and then send them out to your guests! :)