Commissioning Bespoke Lettering & Artwork: A Guide
Thinking about commissioning custom calligraphy? Maybe you’re planning a wedding, need addressed envelopes, want a meaningful quote lettered for your home, or have a special gift in mind. Whatever brings you here, I’m excited to work with you!
If you’ve never commissioned custom work before, the process might feel a little mysterious. What information do I need? How long will it take? What will it cost? Let me walk you through exactly what to expect when you reach out.
The Initial Inquiry: Let’s Start the Conversation
When you fill out the contact form, I’ll need some basic information to get us started:
- What type of project you’re envisioning (wedding items, custom art, envelope addressing, etc.)
- Your timeline – when do you need it?
- Your budget range (this helps me suggest options that work for you!)
- Whether you have design ideas in mind, or if you’d like me to create the vision
You don’t need to have every detail figured out. Really! This first message is just to get the conversation going.
I’ll respond within 2 business days with follow-up questions specific to your project.
Getting Into the Details
Once I understand the basics of what you’re looking for, I’ll ask more specific questions based on your project type. Every project is unique, so the information I need varies.
For wedding or event calligraphy, I’ll want to know about your event date, the quantity of items you need, ink and paper color preferences, and the overall style or vibe you’re going for – classic and formal, modern and minimal, romantic and whimsical? Reference images are incredibly helpful here!
For custom art pieces and calligraphy, I’ll ask about the specific text or quote you’d like lettered, the size you’re envisioning, where the piece will live in your home, and any style inspiration you have. Will it be framed? What colors work with your space?
For envelope addressing, I’ll need to know how many envelopes, your preferred addressing style (formal vs. casual), ink color, and whether you need return address services as well. You’ll provide me with your complete guest list with names and addresses spelled exactly as you’d like them to appear—I’ll follow your spellings, abbreviations, and formatting.
For engraving projects, I’ll need to know what item or material is being engraved (glassware, wood, metal, etc.), the text or design you’d like, placement and size, and quantity if you need multiples. If you’re providing the items, I’ll also need details on when I can expect to receive them. If you’d like me to source items for you, we’ll discuss options together.
For foiling, I’ll ask about your substrate (journal, cardstock, etc.), foil color preference, the design or text to be foiled, quantity, and dimensions. If the foiling is part of a larger project—like adding metallic accents to calligraphy—we’ll talk through how the elements work together.
For watercolor illustrations, I’ll want to know your subject matter (florals, portraits, landscapes?), size, style references or inspiration, color palette preferences, and where the piece will live. Is this a standalone artwork, or is it part of a larger project like a wedding suite?
An important note about materials: If you’re providing items or materials for your project (paper for calligraphy or foiling, items for engraving, etc.), I’ll need a sample or extra item to test first. This ensures the material will work with the specific technique—whether that’s ink, paint, foil, or engraving—before I begin your actual project.
We’ll usually have this conversation via email, though if you’re local, we can always meet in person. And if a phone or video call would be helpful to talk through the details, I’m happy to do that too.
The Quote
Once we have a clear picture of your project—and I’ve seen any reference images or examples you want to share—I’ll send you a detailed quote. This will include:
- The scope of work (exactly what I’ll be creating for you)
- Pricing broken down by item or service
- Timeline from start to finish
- My deposit and payment terms
- Revision policy
I want you to know exactly what to expect before we move forward. No surprises.
Moving Forward
If the quote works for you and you’re ready to proceed, I’ll send over a simple agreement that outlines everything we’ve discussed. Payment structure varies by project type—some projects require payment in advance, while others (like weddings) require a deposit to secure your date with final payment due before delivery. Once the agreement is signed and payment is received, your project is officially on my calendar and I get to work bringing your vision to life!
Throughout the process, I’ll keep you updated on progress. Depending on the project, I may send you photos or proofs for your approval before completing the final piece.
What Makes the Process Smooth
The projects that go most smoothly are the ones where:
- You reach out with plenty of lead time (I recommend at least 4-6 weeks for most projects, longer for weddings)
- You’re clear about your must-haves vs. nice-to-haves
- You provide reference images for the style you love
- You respond to my questions and proof approvals in a timely way
That said, I understand that sometimes timelines are tight or details are still coming together. Just let me know what you’re working with, and we’ll figure it out together.
Ready to Get Started?
I’d love to hear about your project! Head over to my contact page and fill out the form. I’ll be in touch within 2 business days, and together we’ll start bringing your vision to life.