Calligraphy & Engraving
Live calligraphy and hand engraving services in Montreal for events, brand activations, and custom gifts.
Why us?At Didi Letters, I offer calligraphy and hand engraving services designed to bring a thoughtful, personal touch to events, brands, and meaningful objects. Each piece is created by hand, with care, precision, and an eye for refined detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Almost all items can be personalized with calligraphy.
Stationery such as cards and enveloppes are traditional mediums. Some other popular requests are perfumes, candles, luggage tags, sneakers, tote bags, cosmetics such as lipsticks, packaging, and more.
Whether it be with engraving, embossing, or with specialized paints, inks and tools, a professional calligrapher can help you find the best way to turn your stationery, packing or product into a keepsake.
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Yes! Didi Letters specializes in calligraphy for events such as corporate activations, luxury brand launches, holiday seasons and private events.
Whether in-studio ahead of the day or on-site with your guests, we can find the best way to include a unique & elevated touch of calligraphy to your event.
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Traditional calligraphy follows specific rules for a consistant look and feel, whereas modern calligraphy is more fluid and expressive. Professional calligraphers are usually trained in one of more traditional style while simultaneously developing their own signature style.
At Didi Letters, Didi’s style can be described as elegant, minimal, delicate & romantic.
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Yes. Both traditional and modern calligraphy are created by hand and can be adapted to match your brand and event. It is best to contact a calligrapher directly to discuss your vision, and they should be able to help you create something uniquely yours.
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You can contact Didi Letters through this form and share your vision for your piece or project. Didi will reply within 48 hours with questions or recommendations, and we will go from there!
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It depends on the project!
For exemple, a handwritten letter or poem might take a few days to design and get your final approval, and a up to 4-5 hours to complete.
An order for wedding stationery (cards and/or enveloppes) might take anywhere from 1-2 days to a month to complete, based on the complexity and size of the order.
It’s best to contact a calligrapher so you can discuss the scope of your project and expected timeline. -
Yes, calligraphy can be applied to a variety of surfaces, including paper, glass, acrylic, and select packaging materials, depending on the project and finish.
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Engraving is best suited for glass, metal and some hard plastic surfaces. Engraving is usually permanent as it involves etching into the surface of the material, creating either texture or exposing an underlying coat.
Other surfaces like leather or wood and also be « engraved » though this process is done through heat and is called embossing. -
Yes, Didi Letters specialized in live engraving for events in and around Montreal. Prices start at $225/hour for on-site engraving. Contact us to get a personalized quote!
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Machine or laser engraving offers consistency and is ideal for large quantities since it’s fast and cost efficient. However, it is restricted to specific fonts, sizes, and not suitable for unusual or irregular surfaces. Initial costs might also be higher to acquire the necessary tools.
With hand-engraving, each peace is done by hand by an artist, adding subtle variation and character. Professional artists, like Didi Letters can create unique pieces ranging from calligraphy (names, initials, dates, etc) to illustrations. Hand engraving is also adaptable to most surfaces such as curved or irregular shapes. However, while some piece could take 2-3 minutes to personalize, some designs might take more time. Costs are usually higher due to the level of craftsmanship required.
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Absolutely. A professional calligrapher/engraver will be able to adapt the style and design to suit your product and your request. It is important to remember that each piece is hand-crafted and is subject to the artist’s subjective style and artistic eye, but we try to incorporate as much of your vision in the final customization.
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Popular gift ideas include engraved perfumes, candles, glassware, tumblers, compact mirrors, hair claws, lipsticks or other cosmetics, jewelry and more.
Home pieces such as cutting boards, photo frames, and decorative objects are also widely loved, especially for weddings, housewarmings, and milestone celebrations.
Since most glass or metal surfaces can be engraved, you can be creative! Contact a calligrapher to see if your item can be engraved.
Ultimately, the most meaningful engraved gifts are those that combine a beautiful object with a personal detail: a name, date, or message is what makes it uniquely theirs.
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It usually takes 2-3 minutes to engrave a name or initials, making live-engraving a perfect addition to an event. Guests can watch their item be personalized and leave with them in a short turnaround.
Longer sentences of illustrations take a bit more time to hand engrave, ranging from 5 minutes to a few hours depending on the complexity of the project.
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No, not all surfaces can be engraved.
Pressurized bottles, such as champagne bottles, cannot be engraved, as the process can weaken the glass and create a risk of breakage or pressure-related accidents during engraving or when opening.
Surfaces like ribbed glass or unusual shapes can be difficult to engrave but an artist can help you find the best options to personalize your product with paint, for example.
