Buying guide
The Modern Calligrapher
Updated How we research
Contemporary tools for a contemporary hand. The page is split into five sections (Fountain pens for daily script; Parallel pens for crisp edges; Go-to brush pens; Modern calligraphy workbooks; Books that build your style), followed by every pick ranked by our score so you can compare them in one place.
The short version
We compared 19 picks. Our scores range from 7.1 to 8.8 out of 10.
- Best overall:The Complete Book of Calligraphy & Lettering: A Comprehensive Guide to More Than 100 Traditional Techniques. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.8/10.
- Also great value:ARTEZA Hand Lettering Pens Set of 12 - Calligraphy and Brush Pens with Guidebook, Pencil, Eraser for Beginners. Value score of 9/10, overall 8.6/10.
- Solid build:Hand Lettering 101: A Step-by-Step Calligraphy Workbook for Beginners (Gold Spiral-Bound). Build and materials score of 8/10, overall 8.7/10.
- Feature-rich:MANUSCRIPT Classic Calligraphy Set, 5 Nib Widths, 11 Piece. Features score of 9/10, overall 8.4/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
Fountain pens for daily script
- MANUSCRIPT Classic Calligraphy Set, 5 Nib Widths, 11 PieceOur score8.4/10
- MANUSCRIPT Italic Calligraphy Fountain Pen Medium 1.1mm with Black Ink Cartridge and ConverterOur score7.8/10
- PILOT Parallel Calligraphy Pen Set, 3.8mm Nib with Black and Red Ink Cartridges (90052)Our score7.8/10
- Sailor Fountain Pen HighAce neo Clear Calligraphy Nib Width 1.0mm 1.5mm 2.0mm Included 3 of Cartridge Ink Black (1.5mm)Our score7.6/10
Parallel pens for crisp edges
- PILOT Parallel Calligraphy Pen Set, 2.4mm Nib with Black and Red Ink Cartridges (90051)Our score8.3/10
- Set of 4 Pilot Parallel Calligraphy Pens 1.5, 2.4, 3.8, 6.0 mmOur score7.8/10
- PILOT Parallel Calligraphy Pen Set, 3.8mm Nib with Black and Red Ink Cartridges (90052)Our score7.8/10
- PILOT Parallel Calligraphy Pen Set, 6.0mm Nib with Black and Red Ink Cartridges (90053)Our score7.4/10
Go-to brush pens
- ARTEZA Hand Lettering Pens Set of 12 - Calligraphy and Brush Pens with Guidebook, Pencil, Eraser for BeginnersOur score8.6/10
- Brusarth Calligraphy Pens - 8 Size Brush Pens Calligraphy Set for Beginners, Hand Lettering PensOur score8.0/10
- Speedball Hand-Lettering Brush Marker Set, 12-PieceOur score7.8/10
- Kuretake Bimoji Brush Pen, 5 pcs set (Extra Fine, Fine, Medium, Large, Medium Brush), great for Calligraphy, Hand lettering and Illustration, for Beginners and Professional, Made in JapanOur score7.8/10
Modern calligraphy workbooks
- Brush Pen Lettering Practice Book: Modern Calligraphy Drills, Measured Guidelines and Practice Sheets (Grace Song)Our score8.2/10
- Modern Calligraphy: An Intensive Practice Workbook (Kestrel Montes)Our score7.7/10
- Modern Calligraphy: The Workbook: A Practical Workbook to Practise Your Lettering and Calligraphy Skills (Imogen Owen)Our score7.6/10
- Brush Lettering Workbook (Peter Pauper Press)Our score7.1/10
Books that build your style
- The Complete Book of Calligraphy & Lettering: A Comprehensive Guide to More Than 100 Traditional TechniquesOur score8.8/10
- Hand Lettering 101: A Step-by-Step Calligraphy Workbook for Beginners (Gold Spiral-Bound)Our score8.7/10
- The Ultimate Guide to Modern Calligraphy & Hand Lettering for Beginners (June & Lucy)Our score8.2/10
- Calligraphy and Hand Lettering for Beginners: An Interactive Workbook with Guides, Drills and Practice Pages (Heartfully Artful Designs)Our score7.6/10
All 19 picks, ranked by our score
Every product from the sections above, listed once. Sort by the criterion you care about most, or tick up to three to compare.
#1The Complete Book of Calligraphy & Lettering, a comprehensive guide to more than 100 traditional techniques.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + More than 100 techniques cover italic, gothic, uncial and more
- + Comprehensive reference suits learners going beyond modern script
- + Traditional focus teaches structure that improves all lettering
- - Dense content can overwhelm casual beginners
- - Traditional styles may not match modern brush lettering goals
#2Hand Lettering 101 gold spiral-bound step-by-step calligraphy workbook for beginners.
Fit for the job 10/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Spiral-bound pages lie flat for comfortable writing
- + Step-by-step progression makes learning feel achievable
- + Gold spiral design looks lovely as a gift
- - Writing in the book uses up practice pages permanently
- - Beginner level material will not challenge experienced letterers
#3An ARTEZA hand lettering set of 12 with calligraphy and brush pens, a guidebook, pencil and eraser.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + Includes a guidebook plus pencil and eraser for sketching layouts
- + 12 pens combine brush and calligraphy styles
- + Complete starter kit for beginners
- - Guidebook is introductory and will be outgrown quickly
- - Mixed pen types may not suit one specific lettering style
#4Manuscript Classic 11-piece calligraphy set: one fountain pen with five interchangeable chrome italic nib sections from 0.85 mm to 2.8 mm, black cartridges, a converter and a practice guide.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Five italic nib widths from 0.85 to 2.8 mm in one set, from fine writing to broad display strokes
- + Converter and black cartridges are both included, so bottled ink is an option from the start
- + Nib sections are made by Leonardt in the UK, according to the listing
- - One pen body for five nibs, so changing width means swapping sections mid-session
- - A budget-priced multi-nib learning set, not a single premium pen for daily carry
#5The mid-size 2.4mm Parallel Pen, a versatile width for cards, quotes and practice.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + 2.4mm is a comfortable middle width for most lettering projects
- + Black and red cartridges included in the box
- + Parallel plates keep stroke edges sharp on smooth paper
- - Italic and broad-edge styles only, not suited to brush script
- - One nib size, so larger headings need a wider pen
#6Grace Song's Brush Pen Lettering Practice Book with modern calligraphy drills, measured guidelines and practice sheets.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Measured guidelines take the guesswork out of consistent letter height
- + Structured drills build brush pen pressure control step by step
- + Grace Song's approachable teaching style suits self-taught letterers
- - Writing directly in the book uses it up, so photocopying pages helps
- - Practice sheets are sized for one approach and may not fit tiny tips
#7June & Lucy's Ultimate Guide to Modern Calligraphy & Hand Lettering for Beginners, a friendly all-in-one learning book.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Covers both modern calligraphy and hand lettering in one guide
- + Beginner friendly explanations make first steps less intimidating
- + June & Lucy style links nicely with their practice pads and kits
- - Broad scope means each style gets less depth than a dedicated book
- - Practice space is limited, so extra paper is necessary
#8A Brusarth calligraphy pen set with 8 brush sizes, designed to help beginners practise different stroke widths.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + 8 brush sizes cover small to large lettering
- + Beginner-focused set for learning stroke control
- + Good for practising both script and bold styles
- - Brand is newer and less established
- - Tip durability is not proven like premium pens
#9A Manuscript italic fountain pen with a medium 1.1mm nib, cartridge and converter.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + 1.1mm italic nib suits everyday italic handwriting
- + Includes converter for bottled ink use
- + Cartridge included for immediate writing
- - Narrow nib gives subtle rather than dramatic stroke contrast
- - Converter requires cleaning when switching inks
#10A single wide 3.8mm Parallel Pen for bold headings, posters and large gothic lettering.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + 3.8mm nib is wide enough for eye-catching titles and signage
- + Includes black and red cartridges for two-colour headings
- + Refillable cartridge system avoids the mess of dipping
- - Too broad for everyday journaling or small body text
- - Only one nib size, so you need other pens for smaller work
#11A four-pen Parallel set covering 1.5 to 6.0mm, sold as a bundle for learners who want every width.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + All four common Parallel widths in one purchase
- + Lets you practise the same letterform at different scales
- + Cartridge pens are clean and portable for classes or travel
- - Bundle listing may not include the extra colour cartridges of retail sets
- - Check it is the genuine Pilot set from the seller before buying
#12A 12-piece Speedball hand lettering brush marker set from a long-established lettering brand.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Speedball is a familiar name in lettering supplies
- + 12 markers give colour variety
- + Brush tips suit hand lettering practice
- - Listing gives few details on tip size
- - Newer Speedball marker line has fewer reviews than their classic nibs
#13Kuretake Bimoji brush pen set of 5 (extra fine, fine, medium, large and medium brush) with water-based black pigment ink, made in Japan.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Five tip sizes in one set let a beginner move from small to bold strokes with pressure changes.
- + Black water-based pigment ink is described as water-resistant after drying and safe with alcohol markers.
- + Rubber grip and a cap that posts on the back of the pen, from an established Japanese brush pen maker.
- - Costs more than the budget multi-packs it replaces, and all five pens are black only.
- - The listing says ink flow may be low at first and writing can look faint if done too quickly.
#14Kestrel Montes' Modern Calligraphy intensive practice workbook, focused on drills to build modern script skills.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 8/10
- + Intensive drill focus builds muscle memory through repetition
- + Modern calligraphy approach suits bouncy wedding style script
- + Practice pages sit alongside the lessons they reinforce
- - Heavy repetition may feel dry for learners who want quick projects
- - Workbook paper is not meant for wet dip pen ink
#15Budget-priced Sailor HighAce Neo Clear Calligraphy fountain pen in the 1.5 mm nib width, with a stainless steel nib, transparent ABS resin body, aluminum cap and 3 black ink cartridges.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Dedicated calligraphy nib in stainless steel, in a range sold in 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mm widths
- + Listed as both cartridge and converter type, so it can move to bottled ink later
- + Transparent body shows the ink, and three black cartridges are included
- - Detail text on the listing describes the 1.0 mm model, so confirm the 1.5 mm width before ordering
- - Converter use is supported, but the listing only confirms cartridges in the box
#16Imogen Owen's Modern Calligraphy: The Workbook, a practical workbook for practicing lettering and calligraphy skills.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Practical approach balances instruction with hands-on exercises
- + Author guides readers from basic strokes to full words
- + Attractive layout makes it a pleasant gift for beginners
- - British spelling and tone may feel unfamiliar to some US readers
- - Limited practice space means extra paper will be needed
#17Heartfully Artful Designs interactive calligraphy and hand lettering workbook with guides, drills and practice pages.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 8/10
- + Interactive format mixes instructions directly with drills
- + Guides and practice pages keep letter size consistent
- + Structured drills help build stroke confidence day by day
- - Self-published print quality may vary
- - Limited coverage of advanced flourishing techniques
#18The widest 6.0mm Parallel Pen for dramatic headings, posters and large-scale blackletter.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + 6.0mm nib produces bold, high-contrast strokes for display work
- + Black and red cartridges support two-tone designs
- + Great for signage and titles where smaller pens look thin
- - Uses ink quickly and can soak through thin paper
- - Too wide for small cards or everyday writing
#19Peter Pauper Press Brush Lettering Workbook, a compact guided workbook for learning brush pen strokes and alphabets.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 7/10
- + Guided pages walk through basic strokes before full alphabets
- + Peter Pauper Press produces tidy, giftable craft workbooks
- + Portable size fits in a bag with a couple of brush pens
- - Smaller page count than large blank practice pads
- - Limited space for repetition, so extra practice paper is still needed
Popular right now
- Why Ink Will Not Flow From Your Dip Pen and How to Fix ItArticle
- Best Desk Easels and Slant Boards for Lettering and CalligraphyBuying guide
- Best Dual Tip Brush PensBuying guide
- Copperplate script explainedGlossary
- Best Calligraphy Gift Sets: Beautiful, Useful Kits Any Letterer Will LoveBuying guide
- Bleedproof paper explainedGlossary
Based on the last 28 days of search and visitor data.
Calligraphy Nest curates picks for US shoppers. Scores are our editorial assessment. We may earn a commission from links on this page.