BOOST ATTENDANCE at WEDDINGS, BIRTHDAY PARTIES, ANNIVERSARIES, CELEBRATIONS, and SPECIAL EVENTS...

Are you planning an important social engagement?  Need dynamic visual impact on your invitations to gain attention and boost attendance?  Commission a calligrapher to address your stationery, and reach out to your guests in a most personalized way.  Follow these tips to obtain calligraphy services of the highest quality.

1.  Use a seasoned professional with years of experience.  Ask to see a portfolio of samples.  The artist should demonstrate a variety of lettering styles, from a simple linear "Italic" or "Bookhand" style to a more flourished "Copperplate" or " .  Avoid services that offer laser-printed calligraphy if you're looking for high-end quality lettering.  Insist the artist uses a calligraphy nib and ink in lieu of a calligraphy marker.  Calligraphy markers create inconsistent lettering strokes, poor line quality, and easily smudge.

2.  Avoid "pseudo-calligraphy" laser-printed typeset fonts. While the appearance of computer-generated calligraphy printing may look tidy and consistent, it lacks personalization and artistic flair.  It often "cheapens" the effect and looks amateur-ish.

3.  Avoid using "do-it yourself " calligraphy kits to save money...or for use by "first-timers" on an important project.  UNLESS you are experienced, the finished appearance of amateur lettering will not reflect well upon your invitations--or your event.  Refining calligraphy skills involves hundreds of hours and study of many styles using a variety of paper media.  Printed invitations are costly--and not meant to serve as a learning curve for first time calligraphers.

4.  Ask your calligrapher to use a lettering style that complements the font used in your printed invitations.  You may even consider asking the calligrapher to personally design and letter your invitation entirely by hand in calligraphy.  (S)he may prepare an original hand-lettered invitation layout as camera-ready art for use by the printer.  Remember, you may still choose your ink color and paper stock from an endless selection for the printing.  The calligraphy artist may advise your printer of the of ink color and paper stock combination you've jointly agreed upon, based on your project needs.(Talented calligraphers should be able to provide a fanciful or simple calligraphy scroll border motif and design that will add a beautiful finishing touch to your hand-lettered calligraphy invitation layout.  Your calligraphy layout may still include photographs or graphic design elements that you would ordinarily incorporate into a typeset invitation.  The possibilities are only limited by the talent of your calligrapher; so be choosy during your selection of an artist).

5.  Ask for a written estimate.  Talk with your calligrapher about your entire projects needs, which may include inner and outer envelope addressing, invitation layout and design, placecard lettering, event signage, certificates and addressing thank-you notes after the event.  Your artist should guarantee correct spelling on all calligraphy, ensure no paper-surface bleeding/smudging, properly aligned layouts to your specifications (centered, aligned right, left or justified), a comp or mock-up of the layout before final design, and samples of ink colors to ensure proper coordination/matching of hues.

For more ideas, project samples, or to commission a calligraphy project of any size to meet your event needs, contact Beth on eBay under seller ID "qualityfinds4u."