The best calligraphy pen sets
Wedding invitations, birthday cards and a hobby that makes everything look better. Here's where to start.
Calligraphy is a lovely hobby to give: it's quiet, it's cheap to keep up, and it turns every card, label and envelope into something special.
There are two ways in. Felt calligraphy pens are easy and mess-free, good for lettering and labels. Cartridge fountain pens with swappable nibs are the traditional way, and a set with a guide book teaches the classic hands.
What matters
- Felt pens for ease, fountain pens with nibs for traditional calligraphy.
- A range of nib widths, for big and small lettering.
- A guide or practice book for beginners.
- Cartridges or a converter, for easy refills.
#1 of 5
Best overall
Mont Marte Calligraphy Pen Set (31 pieces)
£10–£20 Price range
Four fountain pens, five nib widths and twenty coloured ink cartridges, with an introduction booklet and an exercise book to practise in: the whole first term of a calligraphy class in one box.
What owners say: Owners find it great quality and good for beginners, easy to set up, and like the included guide.
A closer look: Hold the pen so the nib sits at the same angle (about 45° for italic) all the way through a letter: that's what gives calligraphy its thick and thin strokes. Practise on the exercise book's guide lines first.
- 4 calligraphy fountain pens
- 5 interchangeable nibs
- 20 ink cartridges in several colours
- Introduction booklet and exercise book
Best for: Learning properly
- Pens
- 4 fountain pens
- Nibs
- 5 widths
- Ink
- 20 cartridges
- Guide included
- Yes
#2 of 5
Best premium
Wordsworth & Black Calligraphy Pen Gift Set (6 nibs)
£30–£50 Price range
One weighty metal pen with six nibs, a bottle of ink and a converter, presented as a proper gift. The one for someone who writes cards and letters by hand and would like them to look lovely.
What owners say: Owners find it beautiful and enjoyable to use, well made and good value, and an ideal present.
A closer look: Rinse the nib in lukewarm water whenever you change ink or put the pen away for a while: dried ink is what makes fountain pens scratchy. The converter lets you fill from the bottle for a cheaper refill.
- Metal pen with 6 nibs
- Ink bottle and converter
- 6 ink cartridges (black and blue)
- Suits left- and right-handers
- Gift box and instructions
Best for: A gift to keep
- Pens
- 1 metal pen
- Nibs
- 6
- Ink
- Bottle, converter + 6 cartridges
- Guide included
- Yes
#3 of 5
Artworx Calligraphy Pen Set with Guide Book and Practice Paper
£10–£20 Price range
A hinged tin with a slot for every piece, four cartridge fountain pens and five nib sizes, plus practice paper so they can start the moment it's unwrapped.
What owners say: Owners are pleased with the quality and look of the set, and find it impressive and well made.
Heads up: The guide book is brief, so free online calligraphy worksheets are a good companion for the first few weeks.
A closer look: Cartridge pens are far less messy than dipping, which makes this a friendly start for teenagers. Keep the practice paper for drills and use smooth, heavier paper for finished pieces.
- 4 cartridge fountain pens
- 5 nib sizes
- Guide book and exercise booklet
- Hinged tin with a slot for each piece
Best for: A tidy starter tin
- Pens
- 4 fountain pens
- Nibs
- 5 sizes
- Ink
- Cartridge system
- Guide included
- Yes
#4 of 5
Best budget
Artline Calligraphy Pen Set (4 nib widths, black)
Under £10 Price range
Felt calligraphy pens in four chisel widths from 1mm to 4mm: no ink, no nibs, no mess. Ideal for place cards, labels and birthday cards. Artline is made by Shachihata, the Japanese stamp and pen maker.
What owners say: Owners find they work on all sorts of paper, like the choice of nib widths for thick and thin lines, and find them easy to use.
A closer look: Use the 4mm pen for headings and the 1mm for small names on place cards. Because the ink resists water and fading, they're good for garden labels and jars too.
- 4 chisel nibs: 1, 2, 3 and 4mm
- Water-based pigment ink
- Fade, water and smudge resistant
- Doesn't bleed through paper
Best for: Cards, labels and place names
- Pens
- 4 felt pens
- Nibs
- 1, 2, 3 and 4mm
- Ink
- Pigment ink, built in
- Guide included
- No
#5 of 5
Best for colour
STAEDTLER 3005 Double-Ended Calligraphy Pens (12 colours)
Under £10 Price range
Twelve colours, each with a 2mm and a 3.5mm chisel tip, for bright lettering in journals, posters and birthday cards. Easy enough for children to pick up.
What owners say: Owners find them great for calligraphy and say they make different writing styles easy.
A closer look: Keep the pen at one angle and let the chisel make the thick and thin strokes for you. Cap them straight away after use, as felt tips dry out quickly.
- 12 colours
- Two tips per pen: 2mm and 3.5mm
- Water-based ink
- Suitable for children and adults
Best for: Colourful lettering
- Pens
- 12 double-ended pens
- Nibs
- 2mm and 3.5mm on each
- Ink
- Water-based, built in
- Guide included
- No
How they compare
| Feature | #1Mont Marte 31-piece | #2Wordsworth & Black | #3Artworx | #4Artline set of 4 | #5Staedtler 3005 (12) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Best premium | Best budget | Best for colour | ||
| Picked Rating | 9.2 | 9.1 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 8.8 |
| Price | £10–£20 Price range | £30–£50 Price range | £10–£20 Price range | Under £10 Price range | Under £10 Price range |
| Pens | 4 fountain pens | 1 metal pen | 4 fountain pens | 4 felt pens | 12 double-ended pens |
| Nibs | 5 widths | 6 | 5 sizes | 1, 2, 3 and 4mm | 2mm and 3.5mm on each |
| Ink | 20 cartridges | Bottle, converter + 6 cartridges | Cartridge system | Pigment ink, built in | Water-based, built in |
| Guide included | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Best for | Learning properly | A gift to keep | A tidy starter tin | Cards, labels and place names | Colourful lettering |
| Check price | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
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