How to Write Calligraphy on Marble

I’ve written on marble coasters for gifts, for a wedding, and just for myself and I have to say it’s one of my favourite projects because they’re simple and they look quite special when personalized.

Read on for the process that I usually follow and I hope you pick up some useful tips!

marble coaster with sumi ink calligraphy name.jpg

  • Wipe the marble surface with a glass cleaner before starting. This makes sure that the ink doesn’t go all over the place when you start writing.

  • To achieve thicker strokes, use a flexible nib like the Hunt 22B, Hunt 101, or Brause Blue Pumpkin. Take note, if you are not used to a flexible nib, the ink might be harder to control and the thickness can get out of hand.

  • If you don’t mind having less contrast between the thick and thin strokes, stiff nibs like the Nikko G and Zebra G are sturdy and work well with marble too. You might have to retouch the upstrokes to achieve more visible lines at times.

  • Not all marbles are smooth. If you visibly see pores on its surface, it’s better to use thick inks like Dr PH Martins Iridescent Ink. Added bonus: this ink is waterproof. If the surface is smooth enough, it can take thinner inks like sumi ink.

  • If you make a mistake and the ink is still wet, wipe it down with a paper towel dipped in clean water. If the ink has dried a bit, rubbing alcohol works great. Use a Q-tip for spot correction or paper towel for wiping the whole thing away. Just make sure that the surface is dry before writing on it again.

  • Let the ink dry for 24 hours. Spray a fixative (I use Krylon) as many times as you desire to make sure that the ink stays longer.

Watch the following video to see how I wrote on these marble coasters using a jade calligraphy ink from Dr. PH Martins Iridescent collection.

Hope this helps!

Maxie Penamarble, calligraphy, pointed pen