London Live CAlligraphy
For brands and PR,
on-site and in-studio
I’ll let you in on a little secret: calligraphy is not just for weddings.
Whether you’re looking to stand out to customers, forge authentic connections with your employees, or create a memorable impact… A live artist can entertain your attendees, sending them home with a personalised gift that’ll have them returning time and time again.
Image matters. But you can trust me to reflect your brand’s quality and style, treating your guests to a VIP experience. It’s not just about the customisation - it’s also about making memories, tailored to your vision and needs.
I also offer in-studio customisation for event essentials like invitations and name cards, perfect for ensuring your event stands out with ready-personalised items.
LIVE ARTISTRY Techniques
Calligraphy
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Few things are as memorable as seeing your name, initials or sentimental message beautifully hand written in calligraphy before your eyes.
This luxury personalisation service helps you to forge a deeper connection with your clients, VIP guests and loved ones.
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Live on-site personalisation in calligraphy, on surfaces including paper, textiles, acrylic, glass, ceramics, textured surfaces, natural elements (i.e., leaves) and other materials.
I offer a variety of hand-calligraphy styles including traditional, elegant and modern.
If you’re uncertain about a surface, please enquire and I can advise.
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On-Site | Starting at £85/hr with a 4 hour minimum
In-Studio | Contact me for a custom quote
Hand Engraving
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Elevate any gift and transform it into a timeless, one-of-a-kind keepsake with elegant calligraphy and illustration engraving.
Perfect for adding luxury personalisation to liquor and perfume bottles, cosmetics containers, candles, glasses and more.
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Live on-site personalisation on surfaces including glass, ceramics, metal and plastic, using compact, quiet battery-powered tools.
I offer a variety of hand-calligraphy styles including traditional, elegant and modern, both with and without floral engraving.
Please note: this service is not suitable for pressurised items such as champagne. If uncertain about a surface, please enquire.
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On-Site | Starting at £90/hr with a 4 hour minimum
In-Studio | Starting at £40/unit. Contact me for a custom quote.
pyrography
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Add foiling and pyrography to all manner of surfaces including leather, paper, faux leather, wood, wool and more.
This technique is perfect for adding elegant calligraphy to purses, charcuterie boards and luggage tags, transforming them into timeless, unique keepsakes.
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Live on-site pyrography on surfaces including leather, vegan leather, paper and wool felt.
Foiling is also available on some surfaces, including leather, vegan leather, silk and paper.I offer a variety of hand-calligraphy styles including traditional, elegant and modern.
Please note: This service will require access to a power outlet/socket.
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On-Site | Starting at £90/hr with a 4 hour minimum
In-Studio | Contact me for a custom quote.
As guests watch, their name, initials, loving message or favourite quote comes to life in elegantly handwritten script. This personalisation adds a memorable touch that encourages them to return time and time again.
Experiential marketing, providing a unique experience for your VIP clients, has been shown to help brands boost their engagement and encourage repeat business. Whether we work together on a Brand Activation or PR promotion, product launch or a private event, each guest will leave with a physical, lasting memory of your brand. Live-personalisation is particularly effective for seasonal gifting occasions, increasing sales as customers enjoy an all-in-one service, increasing engagement and boosting time and spend in store.
I focus on meshing my own style with your luxury image, creating a unique VIP experience that fosters a genuine connection between your brand and your audience.
Adding custom messaging also turns an everyday purchase into a treasured heirloom, extending its lifetime. This more sustainable approach is also combined with my passionate focus on eco-conscious personalisation methods and re-usable supplies.
Let's work together to elevate your brand and make it even more unforgettable. Contact me to discuss creating your next live art opportunity. I am a London-based calligrapher, but love to travel all over the country (and beyond!)
So, why personalise?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is live calligraphy and engraving, and how does it work at events?
Well, the “live” bit is self-explanatory! I personalise live, right in front of your guests, so that they get to see the magic of their own name being written before their very eyes. If you’re looking for a memorable touch, you’ve found it!
As for calligraphy, in my case this refers to pointed pen (or occasionally brush) writing in a fancy style, on your chosen surface and in your chosen colour and style.
Hand engraving is the process of carving into a surface with a hand held drill. I start by drafting the design, to ensure the design feels balanced with the existing design (e.g. the surface shape, any labels, etc). I then engrave this design using a hand-held engraving drill, creating a permanent impression. This can then be filled with gold, silver or copper, to finish off the luxurious feel.
What surfaces can you engrave or calligraph on?
If you can think of it, I can probably personalise it. The classic surfaces are paper, glass, metal and wood (for calligraphy, engraving and pyrography respectively). But the sky’s the limit, and I can also add customisation to metal, plastic, slate, ceramic, coated metals and much more!
Please note: I cannot use engraving personalisation on pressurised bottles such as champagne and beer. For these, I can use a pen or paint calligraphy style (and safely avoid risking it exploding in your hands!)
I also do not recommend engraving or pyrography for any items containing electronics.
Can you incorporate brand logos or specific designs into the engraving?
I can, however these will take longer so I recommend requesting any branded or more complex personalised goodies for in-studio customisation.
How far in advance should we book your services for a brand activations?
I recommend inquiring at least 3 weeks before any event, preferably at least one month before, to ensure your desired date is free and to give us time to discuss your vision and ensure you have all the surfaces and setup required.
How do you minimise waste when working at live brand activations?
Many artists will use cotton pads and plastic cotton buds whilst working. However, I work with entirely re-usable materials, such as wipes made of fabric. I’m also the sort of gal who sees a nearly empty tube and thinks “that’s got a few weeks more use in it!”, so rest assured I use all my materials to the very last drop, to minimise waste.
How long does it take to personalise an item during an event?
Personalisation time will depend on a few factors:
The surface I am personalising
The personalisation technique (for example, pen calligraphy is often faster than engraving)
The personalisation length
However, on average, a single item with a first and last name takes approximately 2 minutes.
Do you bring your own equipment to events?
That’s right - you provide the surfaces for personalisation, and I’ll provide the equipment, necessary inks and materials, and of course my service with a smile!
Is live engraving noisy or disruptive?
I use a hand engraving tool with a brushless motor, which is a fancy way of saying it’s quieter than most engraving machines! It does produce a bit of noise, particularly depending on the material, but with a little bit of background noise you won’t even notice it! It’s also super portable, so you can pop me away from any quiet areas of your on-site event, to make it even less obtrusive.
What is your cancellation or rescheduling policy?
My initial deposit is non-refundable. Up to 1 week prior to your event, you are free to cancel at no extra cost. After that, you will incur a 15% cancellation fee on the remaining balance, unless you re-schedule instead. Later than to 24 hours pre-event, you will incur a 50% cancellation fee on the remaining balance.
How do you minimise waste when working at live brand activations?
Many artists will use cotton pads and plastic cotton buds whilst working. However, I work with entirely re-usable materials, such as wipes made of fabric. I’m also the sort of gal who sees a nearly empty tube and thinks “that’s got a few weeks more use in it!”, so rest assured I use all my materials to the very last drop, to minimise waste.
Can you recommend sustainable gifting options for corporate events?
Far too many! Think luggage tags for those well-earned holidays, custom notebooks and refillable bottles, personalised candles and spa/relaxation goodies. If you’re not sure what to use for your brand activation or event, pop me a message and we can suggest the best options for you.
The Process
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Inquiry
Submit your form or pop me an email with your event details and live artistry desires. Not sure? No worries, let’s chat!
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Proposal
I’ll provide suggestions and a custom, itemised proposal for your live artistry - here’s where you can add additional features such as in-studio pieces
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BOoking
Secure your date in my diary by signing a contract and paying the deposit
OF WORKING TOGETHER
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Event Day
Time to show your guests an experience they won’t forget, with live luxury personalisation in front of their very eyes
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That’s a Wrap
I’ll take charge of my own strike, so I’ll be out of your hair before you know it. Then, you’ll receive a final invoice and wrap up details
info, postage, travel
& rush fees
London may be home to Tanito Handmade, but all calligraphy, engraving and live-artistry services are eligible for travel. For on-site events further afield or lasting two or more days, please enquire regarding travel and/or accommodation fees.
For in-studio work
All paper/glassware/surfaces must be shipped at the client’s expense, with tracking, to arrive at my London calligraphy studio prior to order start date. Standard turnaround will vary with order scope, but on average will be 8-10 days plus shipping time.
International orders are subject to additional shipping fees and extended time estimates.
Any order placed with less than 10 working days turnaround will incur a rush fee of 25-100% of the total cost, depending on project scope and timing.
For on-site events
All paper/glassware/surfaces must be provided at the venue, unless agreed otherwise. My quote will include time to set up.
On-site events that require extra travel and/or last two days or more may be subject to additional travel and/or accommodation fees.
