How to create acrylic calligraphy ornaments (and what pen to use!)
If you follow lots of calligraphers like me, you've probably seen acrylic ornaments all over your feed! DIY acrylic ornaments are a great way to experiment with lettering on acrylic and even kick off your own holiday sales. I've done the research already on suppliers and the best pens to use, and am sharing all my tips and tricks for lettering on acrylic with you!
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Step 1: Purchase Supplies
ACRYLIC: You'll find that acrylic comes in all kinds of shapes and sizes, but generally you're looking for 1/8" thick acrylic, and if you're purchasing round ornaments, look for ones that are 3-3.5" in diameter. This will give you enough room to write without looking too large. These are my favorite suppliers for acrylic:
Daintree Marketplace (Canada based)
Etsy (worldwide)
PAINT PENS: Ah my favorite question - what pen is that? Haha, ok ok I’ll spill the beans - since these are ornaments, you want the lettering to have terrific staying power, so don't use a water based pen, because that will come off easily. Instead, the best pen for writing on acrylic ornaments will be an oil based paint pen like the ones below:
Sakura Pen Touch - this is hands down my favorite pen for acrylic, with great staying power. The Fine size is good for monoline calligraphy, and I like the Extra Fine for faux calligraphy, but it is more challenging to use, so I recommend starting with Fine. You may have to go to specialty art stores to find this pen.
Sharpie Oil Based Paint Pen - this is a good option because you can easily pick these up at popular art stores like Michaels, but it isn't as long lasting as the Pen Touch, and the Fine size is a little too thick IMO. You also need to shake these and depress for a while (and repeat) before the ink turns fully opaque.
Step 2: Sketch your design
I like to create my design by sketching with a good ol’ pencil and notebook. I trace the shape of my ornament into a gridded notebook like a Rhodia pad, and use the lines to keep my designs straight.
Step 3: Transfer your design to acrylic
If your acrylic is clear, the easiest way to transfer your design is to put your acrylic over the sketch, and trace! Before doing that, make sure that your acrylic is clean by wiping it down with rubbing alcohol. Oils from your fingers can cause the paint to not adhere properly.
Pro tip: Put a piece or two of masking tape under your acrylic so you can focus on your lettering rather than trying to keep your ornament straight.
If your acrylic is opaque, you can use a white Stabilo All Aquarellable pencil to sketch your design first. But tread lightly because while the sketch marks are removable, they do leave some “ghost lines” - micro scratches that you can see in certain angles.
What if you make a mistake? Depending on your pen and acrylic, either rubbing alcohol or mineral oil plus a bit of elbow grease should remove your lettering. You don't need much though, usually dipping a Q-tip into the solvent is sufficient.
Step 4: Put on the finishing touches!
Your ornament is almost done, all that's left is to add your favorite ribbon! A unique ribbon is a great way to differentiate your acrylic ornament, and there are so many materials to choose from, from twine to chiffon and velvet. You can also paint the back of your ornament for further customization and to make your lettering pop even more.
Once your ornament is done, clean off any dust or fingerprints using a damp microfiber cloth so it looks its best for hanging or gifting. I use a spray bottle with water to dampen the cloth; avoid using windex or other cleaners.
I hope you enjoyed creating your acrylic ornament! Now that you're hooked, you're probably wondering how to go about pricing and selling your ornaments. If I read your mind, check out these resources below!
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