Anyone do calligraphy? What do you charge?

[poohs_hunny]

I've been doing calligraphy as a hobby for many years. I've never done anything for payment, only on a volunteer basis. A co-worker of mine is looking for someone to address her wedding invitation envelopes in calligraphy. I gave her a sample and it looks like I'll doing them (she's just going to show it to Mom for "approval" ). The thing is, I have no idea whatsoever to charge! We haven't begun to talk of cost yet, but I wanted to get a general idea of what would be reasonable. I'd like to give her a good deal, but I also want to be sure I'm getting compensated for the time I'm putting into this. I also don't know yet how many envelopes we're talking - that will obviously make a difference.

So, does anyone have an idea of the "going rate"? Do you typically charge by the hour? By the piece? Flat cost? I'm in CT if location makes a difference. Thank you for any help you can give!

 

[love2disney]

I had this done and the lady charged me
2.50 Outer & Inner envelope
2.00 Outer envelope only
0.75 Inner envelope only

I am in NJ if that helps

 

[ChristmasElf]

I have done calligraphy for people and charged according to how much info I had to write out per item, and how much time each envelope took. I think in the end it worked out to about $1 per envelope.

(figure each envelope takes 3-4 minutes depending on how long the names are) this works out to the equivalent of $12 per hour for your time which is a great deal for the bride IMO.

 

[minniebeth]

I guess I didn't get compensated properly, from the looks of it here, but the last calligraphy job I did (the bride's mom told me I'm going to pay you x amount...) I got paid $100 for 150 inner and outer wedding envelopes. I had no idea what good compensation was, so didn't have a problem with it since I'm a SAHM and just loved the extra little money....until I actually finished the job I knew I felt that my time was worth more than the $100 I got paid, but the family was military and I knew they were on a budget, so I let it go. Next time, I'll know better and would love to see what everyone feels is a fair price....

 

[poohs_hunny]

Thanks for the input so far! Anyone else?

 

[Buckalew11]

I've always done it as a gift. I've never charged for it. Not sure what I'd charge.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I've always done it as a gift. I've never charged for it. Not sure what I'd charge.

Did I know this?!

I seem to recall my calligraphy instructor telling me (over 15 years ago) that she charged $1 per line. But her work is extremely professional and superb; she does it for a living, full-time.

 

[shinysparklybubbles]

5 years ago I paid $1.50 for inner and outter and place cards were .25

 

[Buckalew11]

Did I know this?!

I seem to recall my calligraphy instructor telling me (over 15 years ago) that she charged $1 per line. But her work is extremely professional and superb; she does it for a living, full-time.

Did you take lessons too????????

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Did you take lessons too????????

Yes, Bren...for a long time! We missed something??!

 

[Buckalew11]

This is just crazy! We did miss something. Who would have thought to ask about calligraphy.
I dislocated my thumb years ago and can write for long at all know that I'm older. Even the weather makes my thumb hurt! I have only done for scrapbooking lately.

OP, sorry to get a bit off track.

 

[golfgal]

Do you have a calligraphy organization or how do you go about finding someone to do this? I need someone to write DD's name on a golf certificate-nothing too complicated but I would like it done before she graduates in a couple years

 

[Nennie]

I paid $1 per invitation, and it included inner and outer envelopes, and stuffing them too. I went back to her for the placecards also, and I think that was around 25 cents per placecard.

She was excellent, and was the cheapest person I found. I found her on The Knot, b/c people were raving about her.

 

[marlynnp]

Do you have a calligraphy organization or how do you go about finding someone to do this? I need someone to write DD's name on a golf certificate-nothing too complicated but I would like it done before she graduates in a couple years

Why don't you just run that through your printer?

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Do you have a calligraphy organization or how do you go about finding someone to do this? I need someone to write DD's name on a golf certificate-nothing too complicated but I would like it done before she graduates in a couple years

In Minnesota: http://www.colleaguesofcalligraphy.com/

Why don't you just run that through your printer?

I guess because she wants it done in calligraphy.

 

[marlynnp]

They make fonts for that now.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

They make fonts for that now.

Having a typed font isn't quite the same has having something hand lettered. I guess it's a matter of what's important to the individual...something looking perfectly typed, or something with the style of being beautifully created by hand. I grew up in an artsy family...I prefer hand lettering.

 

[Ceila]

Having a typed font isn't quite the same has having something hand lettered. I guess it's a matter of what's important to the individual...something looking perfectly typed, or something with the style of being beautifully created by hand. I grew up in an artsy family...I prefer hand lettering.

I do calligraphy, so I definitely agree with you. There is just something nicer, to me, about something that is hand lettered. Plus, getting the perfect alignment on a certificate when running it through a printer can be a pain.

OP, I used to do wedding calligraphy and charged $1.50 per envelope set (inner and outer). If I was just doing outer, I charged $1.00. Place cards were $.25 each. I quit when I went to grad school, but now that I'm done I'd like to get back in to it. I'm glad you posted this thread - it's nice to see that my prices were in line with others!

 

[golfgal]

Why don't you just run that through your printer?

Because the chance of it getting lined up exactly right on the printer is slim and I don't want to ruin the certificate.

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

I had this done and the lady charged me
2.50 Outer & Inner envelope
2.00 Outer envelope only
0.75 Inner envelope only

I am in NJ if that helps

I need to get into the calligraphy business lol.

I should though, is it hard to do? I am getting married in Aug so it would be helpful.