Calligraphy Business Questions

[ljkd13]

Hello,

 

I'm not sure if there is anyone on this forum with this kind of knowledge, but I thought I'd put it out there....

 

I've been working as a calligrapher (www.inkyquills.com) for a bit over a year now as a side job after my regular 9-5. I do mostly wedding envelope addressing, so its very repetitive. I'm contemplating in the future trying to scale up my business to the point where it can be mostly/completely sustainable without the regular job. I have a few questions for some of you full-time calligraphers.

 

1) Is there a trick to doing high volume on a regular basis without injuring your shoulder muscles (namely my non-writing shoulder) from stabilization of me and the paper? I find that after a few days of busy writing, my shoulder gets very sore.

 

2) When doing the math - it would take me doing 60 envelopes a day, 5 days a week to make a bare minimum living, provided I could get business all year long consistently. Do you find there are other ways to make money and make the job worth it, or is it a continuous losing battle?

 

Basically, I' m wondering if there is ever a future in doing this full-time, or if it will always be a side job for financial and physical reasons.

 

Thanks for any/all input.

 

-Luke

[caliken]

Basically, I' m wondering if there is ever a future in doing this full-time, or if it will always be a side job for financial and physical reasons.

 

I've been a full-time self-employed calligrapher for many years.

 

I'm afraid that I have no answer to your painful shoulder problem. I think that you probably have to move around frequently to avoid stiffening up. Stand up and walk around the room for a few minutes every half hour or so......just a suggestion.

 

With regard to full-time work; yes, it is possible, but it takes a while to establish a reputation so that people come to you as the recommended source of quality work. Lettering by hand is still considered important when quality and individuality are considerations.

 

As to specifics; if you care to look at my website www.caliken.co.uk you'll see down the right side of the home page, numbered calligraphy sections. There you'll see some examples of my previous work, showing the possibilities of commercial calligraphy, today.

 

I've had a look at your web site and I hope that you will allow a small suggestion(?)

 

In your about section, you say "He is constantly learning new techniques, alphabets and designs".

I would remove this sentence, as it implies amateurism. No professional admits that he is still learning. It is commercially important that you sound totally in control of all that you do with regard to your work and can tackle any commission.

 

best wishes

 

caliken

Edited February 27, 2012 by caliken

[ljkd13]

Thanks Caliken,

 

I made the update on my site - thanks for the suggestion. I must say I'm a bit embarrassed to have a calligrapher of your ilk looking through my site....

 

I'm wondering if my desk height might be causing my shoulder cramping. I don't think it's extremely high or low, but it is flat. Do you write on an angled desk?

 

If I understand what you're saying - it's necessary to find commercial work to make it work full time. The numbers don't seem to add up when doing only envelopes. I'm a bit cautious stepping into that realm, as the work I do is great for what it is (envelopes etc), but for more "professional" work, I have a long way to go. Seems like it will be a side job for the time being.

 

Thanks for the advice!

 

-Luke

[Mickey]

I find it easier to sit up straight(er) and not prop myself up with my left arm with a slanted desk. My left hand supplies a little balance and manages the page, but I don't lean on it. My chair is one in which I can sit comfortably for extended periods and the desk height and slant were adjusted (to the chair) to provide the greatest comfort and range of motion.

 

I'm not a professional calligrapher, but I do write a great deal, using a variety of pens (FP, straight-pointed, oblique, edged), so far with little discomfort. Ken is the real deal (Caliken). Take his advice as near "revealed truth."

[ljkd13]

Thanks, Mickey.

 

I think I need to work on building my desk with a light table built in, into a slanted desk.

 

Are your feet on the floor? I have a stool (drafting style), with a foot rest, but the thing still spins, so I may end up using my arm to keep me from spinning.

[caliken]

If I understand what you're saying - it's necessary to find commercial work to make it work full time. The numbers don't seem to add up when doing only envelopes. I'm a bit cautious stepping into that realm, as the work I do is great for what it is (envelopes etc), but for more "professional" work, I have a long way to go. Seems like it will be a side job for the time being.

 

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd289/caliken_2007/ForFPN600-1.jpg

 

 

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd289/caliken_2007/advert-1.jpg

 

 

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd289/caliken_2007/Calendar1988.jpg

Edited February 28, 2012 by caliken

[ljkd13]

Thanks for taking the time to give such a thorough history. I will likely employ some of your methods while expanding and feeling out the market. I especially like the calendar idea.

 

We'll see what happens next!

[Mickey]

Thanks, Mickey.

 

I think I need to work on building my desk with a light table built in, into a slanted desk.

 

Are your feet on the floor? I have a stool (drafting style), with a foot rest, but the thing still spins, so I may end up using my arm to keep me from spinning.

 

My chair will pivot, too but I keep my feet on the floor, thus limiting how much my body can move relative to the work surface. I'm of the opinion that it's usually better to move the work than it is to move the writer.

 

I can't advise on your desk beyond explaining what works for me. I've seen calligraphers do beautiful work at flat desks, but for me, at well of 6 feet tall with a long torso and long arms, the work is too far away to see comfortably. The slant helps get the work, hand, and eye closer together without bending my back or propping myself up with my left hand.

[riverguide]

This is one of the reasons this site is so special. People want to help!

 

Good luck in your journey ljkd13!

 

If I understand what you're saying - it's necessary to find commercial work to make it work full time. The numbers don't seem to add up when doing only envelopes. I'm a bit cautious stepping into that realm, as the work I do is great for what it is (envelopes etc), but for more "professional" work, I have a long way to go. Seems like it will be a side job for the time being.

 

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd289/caliken_2007/ForFPN600-1.jpg

 

 

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd289/caliken_2007/advert-1.jpg

 

 

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd289/caliken_2007/Calendar1988.jpg

[ljkd13]

So - I decided that my biggest problem was the fact that I hunch over my desk when I write, and I can't really stop doing it. I do it without knowing it.

 

I got a new, larger, brighter, light box so I decided to do some desk remodeling this weekend and see if I could make my desk more like an old-fashioned writing desk. I made the middle 1/2 of the desk into a 45 degree angle built the light box in it, under and flush with the top.

 

Here's some pictures of the final product:

 

http://inkyquillscalligraphy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/img_4998.jpg

http://inkyquillscalligraphy.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/img_4999.jpg

 

 

I haven't done any finishing yet, but I can put my face just as close to the writing as I want without having to bend over, so I think this is going to be a great improvement.

 

Thanks for the advice - It certainly motivated me to make some changes and look at how to make this business venture work better!

[caliken]

That's a great job - really professional!

 

The other factor in using a sloping surface, is the improved control over the ink flow through the nib, as the pull of gravity is reduced.

 

You may find that the addition of an intermediate angle, say 30 degrees, may suit you better with certain thicker inks or watered-down gouache; it's very much trial and error.

 

I have to say that your desk will be envied by many who are serious about the study of lettering!

Ken

Edited April 16, 2012 by caliken

[professionaldilettante]

Hello,

 

I'm not sure if there is anyone on this forum with this kind of knowledge, but I thought I'd put it out there....

 

I've been working as a calligrapher (www.inkyquills.com) for a bit over a year now as a side job after my regular 9-5. I do mostly wedding envelope addressing, so its very repetitive. I'm contemplating in the future trying to scale up my business to the point where it can be mostly/completely sustainable without the regular job. I have a few questions for some of you full-time calligraphers.

 

1) Is there a trick to doing high volume on a regular basis without injuring your shoulder muscles (namely my non-writing shoulder) from stabilization of me and the paper? I find that after a few days of busy writing, my shoulder gets very sore.

 

2) When doing the math - it would take me doing 60 envelopes a day, 5 days a week to make a bare minimum living, provided I could get business all year long consistently. Do you find there are other ways to make money and make the job worth it, or is it a continuous losing battle?

 

Basically, I' m wondering if there is ever a future in doing this full-time, or if it will always be a side job for financial and physical reasons.

 

Thanks for any/all input.

 

-Luke

My thoughts would be that your shoulder is not conditioned. I would first have it checked out by your doctor, just to see if everything is alright. I would then do strength training, to recondition your muscles. Sometimes, muscle groups are just unbalanced, and that's all that takes to get sore from something as low impact as sitting and writing for hours on end.

[ljkd13]

I just sat down and wrote for the first long period of time since I rebuilt my desk, and I was able to write twice as long! My shoulder didn't hurt at all, but it was my writing hand that finally cramped up. Clearly the new setup is much better on my back. The only problem I'm having now is that the light box is so bright that I almost have to squint (but I can see my lines through some VERY thick paper now).

 

I agree about the lower slope. Currently, it is just a board cut to size in there for the angle I have now, so swapping it with a shorter one will be no problem. I figured I'd start here then test out what works best for me. I'm finding my sumi ink flows great when it going, but sometimes takes a bit to get going.

Edited April 17, 2012 by ljkd13

[Spidy]

Good job! That desk looks amazing.

 

Be sure to post more photos as the desk evolves to suit your needs better.

[ljkd13]

Good job! That desk looks amazing.

 

Be sure to post more photos as the desk evolves to suit your needs better.

 

I certainly will - I'll probably cut a few different sizes of vertical supports so I can test different angles. I'm also thinking of putting a small lip at the bottom of the light table so it catches papers that slide down.

 

I'm really happy about the fact that it sits flush with the rest of the table so I can work flat as well.