Calligraphy Products - FAQs

Q1: What is Bamboo Qalam?

Answer:A pen is made from dried reeds or bamboo, which is used for calligraphy.

Q2: What type of paper is used in calligraphy?

Answer: Cardstock (also use for crafts & cardmaking) 100 grams in weight is good. Higher the weight would mean less bleeding. Paper should be more absorbent than normal paper and must have a smooth and glossy surface that allows the pen to glide smoothly over it.

Q3: Can we use normal ink for calligraphy?

Answer: May use any water-based ink. Normal ink can be used for calligraphy dip pen, but due to thin consistency of an ink, it may fall off the nib as soon as it hits the page.

Q4: What is the difference between fountain pen ink and calligraphy ink?

Answer: Fountain pen inks are water based, and can bleed through the paper easily. Calligraphy inks are highly pigmented, are thicker in consistency (similar to paint) meant for dip pens so that the ink sits up on the paper and does not bleed into the paper fibers.

Q5: Can you do calligraphy on canvas?

Answer: You can do calligraphy on a canvas, but not with a dip pen or brush pen. One of the best ways to do calligraphy on canvas is with a paint pen or with regular acrylic paint.

Q6: How do you preserve ink on canvas?

Answer: Seal your print or ink with gloss coating also known as canvas varnish. It will give your canvas a professional look and protection.

Q7: Is gold leaf paint real gold?

Answer: Yes, Genuine gold leaf is sheets of real gold hammered down very thinly to make a leaf that can be used for gilding purposes. But there are many other types of metal leaf, from real silver, copper and imitation gold. A wide variety of colors and patterns are also available, known as variegated leaf.

Q8: Is gold leaf toxic?

Answer: Non-edible gold leaf, which is used for gilding, it may contain copper, which can be toxic in high doses.

Q9: What material is used in imitation gold leaf?

Answer: Imitation gold leaf is a brass alloy where the mixture of zinc and copper has been specifically controlled to create tones that closely mimic genuine gold leaf.

Q10: How long do Sakura calligraphy pens last?

Answer: Standard product performance is based on a 24 months shelf life. Most of Sakura Pigma products can last longer than the 24 months.