Calligrapher Resume examples & templates
Copyable Calligrapher Resume examples
The ancient art of calligraphy has found surprising new life in our digital age. What was once primarily associated with wedding invitations and formal documents has evolved into a thriving $2.3 billion global market that spans traditional hand-lettering to digital applications. As mass production dominates communication, the human touch of a skilled calligrapher has become increasingly valued—whether for creating custom logo designs, hand-lettering book covers, or adding personal flair to special events.
Today's professional calligraphers blend centuries-old techniques with modern aesthetics, working across diverse mediums from paper to digital tablets. Many have found unexpected niches in tech companies (where hand-drawn fonts command premium prices) and social media (where process videos regularly attract millions of views). The field has seen a 37% increase in freelance calligraphers since 2018, with particularly strong growth in corporate branding and custom merchandise. For those with steady hands and an eye for letterforms, calligraphy offers a rare career path where artistic expression and practical craftsmanship converge—and where the oldest form of writing continues to find new relevance in tomorrow's visual landscape.
Junior Calligrapher Resume Example
Eliza Penworth
Chicago, IL • (312) 555-9872 • eliza.penworth@email.com • linkedin.com/in/elizapenworth
Junior calligrapher with formal training in traditional and modern styles. Skilled in Copperplate, Spencerian and modern brush lettering techniques. Experience creating custom commissions for weddings and small businesses. Passionate about preserving historical calligraphy methods while exploring contemporary applications.
Experience
Freelance Calligrapher | Self-employed | January 2023 – Present
- Create custom wedding invitation suites, place cards and envelope addressing for 12+ clients
- Design and execute personalized certificates and awards for local businesses and organizations
- Manage client communications, project timelines and billing for all commissions
- Built a portfolio website and Instagram presence that generates 70% of new client inquiries
Calligraphy Assistant | Quill & Ink Studio | August 2022 – December 2022
- Assisted lead calligrapher with large-scale wedding projects including seating charts and welcome signs
- Prepared materials, mixed inks and maintained studio supplies
- Practiced foundational scripts under mentorship of studio owner
Retail Associate | Art Supply Warehouse | June 2021 – July 2022
- Advised customers on calligraphy supplies, papers and tools
- Organized and conducted monthly calligraphy demonstrations for store customers
- Managed inventory of specialty pens, inks and papers
Education
Certificate in Traditional Calligraphy | Chicago School of Lettering Arts | 2022
- Completed 120 hours of instruction in historical and modern scripts
- Final project featured in student showcase
Associate of Fine Arts | Chicago Community College | 2021
- Focus on graphic design and typography
- GPA: 3.8
Workshops & Training
Modern Brush Lettering Intensive | Lettering Con | March 2023
Spencerian Script Workshop | with Master Penman Michael Ward | October 2022
Skills
- Calligraphy Styles: Copperplate, Spencerian, Italic, Gothic, Modern Brush
- Tools: Pointed pen, broad-edge pen, brush pen, traditional quill
- Materials: Various inks, gouache, gold leaf application
- Digital: Procreate, Adobe Illustrator, basic Photoshop
- Client communication and project management
- Custom mixing of inks and paints
- Paper selection and preparation
Portfolio
Portfolio of work available at www.elizapenworthcalligraphy.com and @eliza_writes on Instagram
Mid-level Calligrapher Resume Example
Maya Lin Fontaine
Los Angeles, CA • (213) 555-9021 • mayalinfontaine@email.com
linkedin.com/in/mayalinfontaine • www.mayafontainecalligraphy.com
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Versatile calligrapher with 5+ years specializing in custom wedding invitations, corporate events, and commercial signage. Proficient in 7 distinct calligraphic styles including Copperplate, Spencerian, and modern brush lettering. Successfully completed 143 custom client projects with a 98% satisfaction rate and built a thriving social media following of 14,000+ followers documenting my creative process.
EXPERIENCE
Senior Calligrapher & Workshop Instructor | Ink & Quill Studio | March 2021 – Present
- Lead a team of 3 junior calligraphers in completing high-volume custom projects, reducing turnaround time by 31% while maintaining quality standards
- Design and facilitate bi-monthly calligraphy workshops for beginners and intermediates, with an average class size of 17 participants and 94% rebooking rate
- Created the studio’s signature “Modern Elegance” calligraphy style, now requested in 37% of all wedding suite orders
- Manage client relationships for VIP accounts ($5,000+), resulting in 8 referrals to luxury wedding planners in the LA area
Freelance Calligrapher | Self-employed | June 2019 – Present
- Specialize in custom envelope addressing for weddings, addressing ~2,800 envelopes annually with less than 0.5% error rate
- Collaborate with 4 local stationery shops to provide on-site calligraphy services during special events, generating $9,700 in additional annual revenue
- Developed a signature metallic ink formula that improved drying time by 40% without compromising shine quality
- Featured in “California Wedding Style” magazine (Winter 2022 issue) for innovative place card designs
Junior Calligrapher | Elegant Expressions | August 2018 – May 2019
- Assisted lead calligrapher with production of wedding invitation suites, menus, and place cards for events with guest counts of 50-350
- Mastered 3 house calligraphy styles within first 2 months, exceeding onboarding timeline by 4 weeks
- Researched and sourced specialty papers that reduced material costs by 13% while enhancing ink absorption
EDUCATION & TRAINING
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Graphic Design | California Institute of the Arts | 2017
Master Calligraphy Program | International Association of Master Penmen | 2019-2020
Traditional Japanese Calligraphy Intensive | Tokyo Art Institute | Summer 2021
CERTIFICATIONS
Certified Spencerian Script Specialist | American Guild of Calligraphers | 2020
Master Penmanship Level II | International Calligraphy Society | 2022
TECHNICAL SKILLS
- Calligraphy Styles: Copperplate, Spencerian, Gothic, Italic, Modern Script, Brush, Faux Calligraphy
- Tools: Pointed pen, Broad-edge pen, Ruling pen, Automatic pen, Brush pens, Gold leaf application
- Materials: Specialty papers, Custom ink formulation, Gouache, Watercolor, Metallic pigments
- Software: Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Procreate, FontLab
- Languages: English (native), French (conversational)
NOTABLE PROJECTS
- Hand-lettered 72 mirror welcome signs for Beverly Hills Hotel events (2021-2023)
- Created custom calligraphy for Vogue photoshoot featuring vintage Dior collection (Sept 2022)
- Designed and executed window signage for Anthropologie holiday displays across 6 SoCal locations (2021)
- Produced limited edition hand-lettered wine bottle labels for Francis Ford Coppola Winery’s Reserve Collection (2023)
Senior / Experienced Calligrapher Resume Example
Mei-Lin Wong
San Francisco, CA | (415) 555-7892 | meilin.calligraphy@email.com
linkedin.com/in/meilinwong | www.meilinwongcalligraphy.com
Versatile calligrapher with 11+ years creating distinctive hand-lettered designs for diverse clients—from major wedding venues to tech companies like Adobe. Known for blending traditional techniques with contemporary aesthetics. Founder of a calligraphy studio generating $127K in annual revenue. Regular workshop instructor at Paper Source and the SF Center for the Book.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Founder & Lead Calligrapher | Mei-Lin Wong Calligraphy Studio | San Francisco, CA | 2015-Present
- Established and grew a boutique calligraphy studio specializing in custom commissions, wedding suites, and corporate event materials
- Manage all aspects of the business including client consultations, design, production, and shipping logistics for 75+ annual projects
- Created signature “Hybrid Script” style that blends Copperplate and modern approaches, which now accounts for 43% of commissions
- Developed and teach 8 different calligraphy workshops serving 300+ students annually, with 91% satisfaction rating
- Collaborated with Artifact Uprising on a limited-edition holiday card collection that sold out in 6 days
Senior Calligrapher | Paper & Ink Arts | San Francisco, CA | 2013-2015
- Created custom calligraphy for 200+ wedding invitations, place cards, and envelopes per month during peak season
- Trained and supervised 3 junior calligraphers, developing a standardized quality control system
- Reduced turnaround time by 28% through improved workflow while maintaining quality standards
- Pitched and launched a monthly workshop series that became the shop’s second-highest revenue generator
Calligrapher & Design Assistant | Flourish & Flow Stationery | Portland, OR | 2011-2013
- Produced calligraphy for custom stationery, corporate awards, and retail display signage
- Mastered 4 distinct calligraphic styles (Copperplate, Spencerian, Italic, and Uncial) for different client needs
- Contributed to the design and execution of window displays that won “Best Retail Display” at the Portland Design Awards
- Managed the shop’s social media accounts, growing Instagram following from 780 to 12.5K in 18 months
EDUCATION & TRAINING
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Graphic Design | Pacific Northwest College of Art | Portland, OR | 2007-2011
Master Class in Traditional Japanese Calligraphy | with Master Shuho Kondo | Kyoto, Japan | Summer 2019
Spencerian Script Intensive | with Michael Sull | IAMPETH Conference | 2017
Certificate in Letterpress Printing | San Francisco Center for the Book | 2014
TECHNICAL SKILLS
- Calligraphic Styles: Copperplate, Spencerian, Italic, Gothic, Uncial, Modern, Brush
- Materials: Pointed pen, broad nib, brush, quill, metal nibs (Nikko G, Brause EF66, Hunt 101)
- Media: Gouache, sumi ink, walnut ink, metallic inks, watercolor
- Digital: Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Procreate, font development
- Paper: Preparation, selection, and handling of specialty papers including handmade
- Production: Letterpress printing, foil stamping, vinyl cutting for signage
NOTABLE CLIENTS & PROJECTS
- Custom envelope addressing for Sephora’s VIP client holiday campaign (2021)
- Hand-lettered certificates for Adobe MAX conference speakers (2018-2022)
- Live event calligraphy for Williams Sonoma seasonal product launches (2019-2020)
- Wine label calligraphy for boutique Napa Valley winery, Hillcrest Vineyards (ongoing)
- Instructor, “Introduction to Modern Calligraphy” workshops at Paper Source (quarterly)
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers and Teachers of Handwriting (IAMPETH)
Friends of Calligraphy, San Francisco
Society for Calligraphy, Southern California
How to Write a Calligrapher Resume
Introduction
Creating a standout calligrapher resume isn't just about listing your skills—it's about showcasing your artistic vision and technical mastery in a document that itself represents your attention to detail. As someone who's reviewed hundreds of creative portfolios, I can tell you that hiring managers often spend just 7-9 seconds scanning your resume before deciding whether to continue. For calligraphers, your resume serves as both content and sample; it's your first chance to demonstrate the precision and aesthetic sensibility that defines your work.
Resume Structure and Format
While you might be tempted to create an elaborate, highly stylized resume (you're a calligrapher, after all!), balance is key.
- Keep length to 1 page for beginners, 2 pages max for experienced calligraphers
- Choose a clean, professional font for body text (save your calligraphy for your name/header or portfolio)
- Use consistent spacing (1.0-1.15 line spacing works well)
- Incorporate subtle design elements that showcase your aesthetic without overwhelming the content
- Include ample white space—about 30% of your document should be empty to improve readability
If submitting digitally, create both a PDF and plain-text version. The PDF preserves your formatting, while the plain text helps with ATS systems. For physical submissions, use premium 32lb paper that showcases the quality you bring to your work.
Profile/Summary Section
Your summary should be brief (3-4 sentences) and immediately communicate your calligraphy style, years of experience, and specialized skills. This isn't the place for vague statements—be specific!
For example: "Classical calligrapher with 6 years of experience specializing in Copperplate and Spencerian scripts. Created custom wedding invitations for 73+ clients and built corporate branding elements for Millwood Industries and The Hartman Group. Proficient in both traditional dip pen techniques and digital calligraphy using Procreate."
Professional Experience
When detailing your work history, focus on projects and achievements rather than just responsibilities. Calligraphy is results-oriented, so highlight:
- Specific client projects (with permission) and their scope
- Quantity and types of pieces created (e.g., "Hand-lettered 125+ wedding invitation suites")
- Technical challenges overcome ("Developed custom ink formula for metallic finish on black cardstock")
- Client satisfaction metrics or testimonial snippets
- Commercial or artistic impact of your work
Freelancers: Group your experience by project type rather than chronologically if you've worked independently for years. This puts your versatility front and center.
Education and Certifications
Formal education matters less in calligraphy than demonstrated skill, but don't skip this section. Include:
- Any art/design degrees or relevant coursework
- Workshops with notable calligraphers (like "Copperplate Intensive with Master Penman John DeCollibus")
- Membership in professional organizations (Society for Calligraphy, IAMPETH)
- Self-study programs you've completed
Keywords and ATS Tips
Many studios and agencies use Applicant Tracking Systems to filter resumes. Include these industry-specific terms naturally throughout your resume:
- Script styles: Copperplate, Spencerian, Italic, Gothic, Brush, Modern
- Tools: Pointed pen, Broad-edge pen, Brush pen, Oblique holder
- Materials: Sumi ink, Gouache, Gold leaf, Parchment
- Techniques: Flourishing, Letterform construction, Spacing, Layout design
- Applications: Procreate, Adobe Illustrator, InDesign
Industry-specific Terms
Don't just list technical terms—show you understand them. Instead of "skilled in flourishing," try "Created balanced flourishing compositions for 12 wedding monograms, incorporating negative space principles and maintaining x-height consistency." Terms like "ductus," "minuscules," and "ascender/descender" demonstrate deeper knowledge of the craft.
Common Mistakes
Even talented calligraphers make these resume blunders:
- Focusing on tools rather than results
- Including poor-quality images of work (save these for your portfolio)
- Overstating capabilities (claiming mastery of 15+ scripts raises eyebrows)
- Using overly ornate formatting that sacrifices readability
- Forgetting to include contact info or social media handles where your work appears
Before/After Example
Before: "Did calligraphy for many weddings. Good at different styles and can work fast."
After: "Created custom Copperplate invitation suites for 28 weddings (2021-2023), developing client-specific letterforms while maintaining 97% on-time delivery despite tight turnarounds. Specialized in working with metallic inks on dark stocks, solving common flow issues through custom nib modifications."
The difference? Specificity that proves both your technical skill and professional reliability—exactly what clients and employers need from a calligrapher they can trust with important projects.
Related Resume Examples
Soft skills for your Calligrapher resume
- Client communication – skilled at translating artistic vision into practical requirements while managing expectations tactfully
- Patience under pressure, especially when working with tight deadlines or making irreversible pen strokes
- Teaching ability – experience breaking down complex techniques for workshops (ran 17 beginner classes with 92% positive feedback)
- Critique absorption – comfortable receiving and implementing feedback without taking it personally
- Adaptive problem-solving when faced with unexpected paper textures, environmental conditions, or client changes
- Project coordination across multiple commissions with varying timelines (typically juggling 4-6 projects simultaneously)
Hard skills for your Calligrapher resume
- Proficiency in Copperplate, Gothic, and Spencerian calligraphy styles
- Nib preparation and maintenance (including grinding custom nibs)
- Paper selection and preparation for different ink types
- Ink mixing and color theory for custom pigment creation
- Digitization of calligraphy using Adobe Illustrator and Procreate
- Layout design for wedding invitations and ceremonial documents
- Gold leaf application and gilding techniques
- Traditional bookbinding methods for custom albums and portfolios
- Mastery of historical scripts like Uncial and Carolingian minuscule