The Business of Calligraphy: Pricing & Freelancing for Lettering Artists

Are you a calligrapher or lettering artist trying to navigate the world of freelancing? Confused about pricing? Struggling to set solid company policies? Frustrated that your business is stagnating?

This class, presented in a relaxed, conversational format, will help you navigate the best business practices and pricing strategies for your freelance business.

I'm sharing the hard-earned insights I've gained over the past 10 years, to answer the most frequently asked questions I get about owning a calligraphy business. Whether you’re starting out in creative freelancing, transitioning from a different profession, or running a lettering business that just needs a boost, you will benefit from the concrete advice offered in this class.

➤  Topics covered include:

+ Pricing: How to set competitive rates for yourself so that you earn a living wage

+ Discounts: When (and how!) to give discounts 

+ Working for free: When to do work for free, and the pitfalls to watch out for

+ Commercial work: Why you should charge more to design a logo than a wedding invitation

+ Marketing: How to advertise in affordable and even free ways 

+ Your rights: How to navigate copyright licensing and know your rights!

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Find The Calligrapher’s Business Handbook from sellers worldwide on my website.

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➤  More resources:

• Graphic Artists Guild Handbook: Pricing & Ethical Guidelines
• Calligraphy guild directory
• Social media marketing resources
• Freelance business resources

+ My calligraphy & freelancing books

+ My Procreate brush packs

+ Follow my Instagram and tag me in your projects: @mollysuberthorpe

+ Other Skillshare classes: 

• Procreate for Absolute Beginners
• Mastering iPad Hand Lettering
• Digitizing Calligraphy from Sketch to Vector
• Chalk Hand Lettering Effect in Photoshop
• 5 Squarespace Programming Hacks to Grow Your Following

+ Visit my other website, Calligrafile.com – a massive online resource guide for lettering artists and creative freelancers, with 1,000+ recommended supplies, books, online classes, and helpful links.

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Free Practice Sheets & Brushes

My Lettering Toolkit is a library of free downloads – from calligraphy practice sheets to Procreate brushes – that expands every month. Subscribe to my mailing list to get lifetime access, plus updates to your inbox about my live events, new classes, and products every Saturday.

• The Business of Calligraphy
• My Mission
• Before We Begin...
• Setting Your Rates
• Policies & Fees
• Project Scheduling
• Payment Terms
• Materials Allowance & Shipping
• Rush Fees
• Cancellation Fees
• Coordination Fees
• Specialty Supply Fees
• Add on Fees
• Your Policy Document
• Giving Discounts
• Discounts Are Donations
• (Gently) Educating Clients
• Standing Your Ground
• Working for Free (Gasp!)
• Working for Friends & Family
• Portfolio & Branding Tips
• Affordable Advertising
• Networking for Introverts
• Commercial vs. Non-commercial Work
• Pricing for Logos
• Know Your (Copy)rights!
• Being A Freelancer
• Feeling Discouraged?
• Tackling Creator’s Block
• Additional Resources