Drafts, proofs for approval and trust - how commissioning a calligrapher actually works

If you've never commissioned a calligrapher before, you might be wondering how the process works. From choosing a calligraphy style to approving layouts and trusting an artist's creative vision, here's what to expect when you order a bespoke calligraphy poem commission from my UK studio.

Copperplate calligraphy poem hand written for Willow - Hindu blessing with rose and honeysuckle illustration

Choosing a calligraphy style for your commission

The best starting point for any calligraphy poem commission is the gallery of pieces I share on my website. I like to share the work I’ve written for past customers so you can see my calligraphy and illustration styles.

I’ve shared a wide range of commissions on my calligraphy website. There are traditional illustrations and lettering styles, from the gothic calligraphy I used for The Man In The Arena to the classic italics of Hope is the thing with feathers.

‘Hope’ is the thing with feathers, by Emily Dickinson - a custom calligraphy poem for Emily Rose’s christening

I love to illustrate calligraphy commissions with classic scrolling borders and pillars, incorporating bright colours and pretty florals. This is a lovely way to personalise a piece of calligraphy art for the recipient.

I also create very modern floral and botanical border illustrations, with delicate stems and swirls, lots of spacing and softer colours. And I’m often inspired by my customers, who’ll ask for specific flowers and colours in the borders of poems.

A bespoke calligraphy poem with summer flower border, for Adele

What happens after you order a custom calligraphy poem?

This is the beginning of the process: viewing past works and picking a style. With the details agreed, I set pencil to paper and begin the artwork.

Do calligraphers provide proofs before creating the final artwork?

If you ask when you make your initial enquiry, I can send you a proof. Commissioning an artist or calligrapher to create a custom piece is an exciting process, but I understand it can feel very new, and nerve-wracking, so if a customer asks me, I can write and sketch out the entire piece in pencil and send a photograph for approval.

This does add a couple of hours to the process, but it can be helpful if you have a very specific vision for your calligraphy commission. For some customers, seeing a pencil sketch of the layout and lettering is reassuring - especially when you’re spending a lot of money on a very special gift.

Why trust matters when commissioning a calligrapher

Having said that, customers who embrace the excitement and trust me completely will often end up with a more beautiful and creative piece.

I think there’s two reasons for this: one, having general guidance on colours and illustrations allows me to be creative, and let the artwork evolve to fit the calligraphy poem. Two, it’s nice to feel trusted as an artist, and having that freedom feels good: there’s less pressure to fulfil expectations, and I’m more relaxed when I’m writing and painting.

I have some wonderful examples of customers who have trusted me to create something really special.

Customer story: a personalised calligraphy poem for an 80th birthday

Liz’s mum’s calligraphy poem with a very special vase of flowers

Liz asked me to write a few words in calligraphy for her mum’s 80th birthday. She said she’d like some garden flowers on the commission, because her mum always cuts a tiny bouquet in summer for the kitchen table.

Liz’s secret mission around her mum’s garden, picking flowers as inspiration for our calligraphy commission

We had a quick chat about the flowers on email, and Liz went on a secret mission around her mum’s garden to gather some favourite flowers and send me a photo. She even sent a picture of her mum’s vases, and I chose one to illustrate to make this a really custom piece.

Liz didn’t ask to see a proof of the commission, she trusted me to turn her vision into something really personal for her mum.

Calligraphy commission with illustration for Liz’s mum, Ruth - and her very own vase for tiny garden flower bouquets!

“All has arrived safe and sound in its exquisite packaging!  My sister and I absolutely love it. You have captured  our mum perfectly and it is going to be a very personal and sentimental gift for an 80 year old lady who ‘wants and needs nothing!’  I am going to have it properly mounted and framed as it is so special. 

So pleased I found you online- you are a very talented artist. 

Thank you very much, Liz”

Close up calligraphy for a romantic couple - with 23 carat gold leaf

Customer story: a calligraphy proposal scroll and four meaningful commissions

Dave’s calligraphy poem commissions, and scroll wedding proposal

Dave will always be one of my favourite customers. He asked me to write a quote to gift to his partner Sue, and before I’d even completed the first piece of calligraphy, he’d asked me to write a poem as well.

Trust comes from a few different places: I think from the friendly way I reply to emails, the ordering process which I make clear and stress free, and from my website full of calligraphy examples.

Dave ordered four pieces of calligraphy altogether, the final one being incredibly special, and a secret surprise Sue wasn’t expecting…

Calligraphy for a bespoke poem, written by Dave for his partner Sue - with purple flower border illustration

Ordering his third piece of calligraphy, Dave included these words in his email:

“I trust you Claire with your skill, artistic flare and vision so you do what you feel is best, I know I will be totally fine with this.”

Dave always gave me an idea of the paper colour and calligraphy style he wanted, and was happy with my suggestions for illustration and gold leaf where I felt it would work on each commission.

I picked up a few little hints from his emails: for example, Sue’s favourite colour was purple, so I painted a floral border in a rich purple.

For Dave’s final commission - a proposal of marriage, I was free to create something really special - Dave just sent me the words, and told me about their planned holiday in Brisbane.

“I have total trust in you and your work to produce amazing work so you just do what you feel is  best for the work you are producing.”

I knew the hotel was known for its lavender, and I knew the proposal calligraphy was travelling around the world… so I created an almost pocket-sized scroll, in a pale lavender colour tube, and illustrated it with delicate flowers.

Calligraphy proposal handwritten and illustrated, with delicate lilac tube and silk ribbon

Sue said yes, and Dave sent me a photo of his fiancée holding her calligraphy proposal - a piece of lettering art I hope they will both treasure for years to come.

The trust Dave had for the calligraphy pieces he commissioned from me gave me free rein to create beautiful and unique artwork, and it was wonderful to work with such a trusting client!

“I’m so pleased our paths have crossed Claire, you do amazing calligraphy.” ~ Dave Hall

Frequently asked questions about commissioning a calligraphy poem

Do you provide proofs before creating the final artwork?

Yes. If requested, I can sketch the layout in pencil and send a photograph for approval before beginning the finished piece.

Can I request specific flowers, colours or illustrations?

Absolutely. Many of my customers ask for favourite flowers, meaningful colours or personal details to be incorporated into the artwork. It’s my pleasure to do this!

How much creative freedom should I give a calligrapher?

It’s your choice: every customer is different. Some prefer to approve a pencil layout, while others provide general guidance and trust me to create something unique.

Every calligraphy commission is unique, but the process always begins with an email conversation. Whether you'd like to approve pencil sketches before I begin or prefer to give me creative freedom, my aim is to create a personalised piece of calligraphy art that feels meaningful, beautiful and completely individual to its recipient.