Help! Handwritten escort cards for wedding

[drocu]

So I've made the mistake of reading the Nib and just received my order of sample inks and Platinum Preppy from Gouletpens. So far, I like it and understand the appeal even with this cheap FP.

In any case, back to my request. I'm getting married soon and mentioned to my fiancee that perhaps we (meaning I) could handwrite the escort cards in the colors for our wedding. As I've read over and over, one of the beauties of FPs is the variety in ink. This seems like the perfect opportunity to take advantage of that. Don't worry, there are only ~83 people.

What pens would you recommend? I need a good, affordable beginners pen that'll work with no tinkering because time is of the essence. I would like two pens: one for each themed color of the wedding. Calligraphy sounds too challenging (although I could use some advice here) so calligraphy nibs may not be a good idea. Also, my cursive is very out of practice so I'm considering just writing normally, perhaps in all caps to keep things neat and legible. Not the most stylistic but hey, it's better than using a printer to label each escort card.

All available evidence that I've seen suggests the Lamy Safari/Al-star, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask the folks on the B&B.

As an aside, how much mileage can I get from a sample of ink? Will it be sufficient to label ~83 escort cards or should I spring for a whole bottle?

 

[strop]

You should easily be able to write 83 names with a single filling which you will easily get from a sample.

The Lamy pens are good pens. Don't completely discount a stub or italic nib. You simply write normally with them, ut it gives the writing a bit of style and flair. Perfect for a wedding. You can get italic nibs for the Lamy's, and the Pilot 78g comes with a broad stub nib that would also look good, IMO even if you printed in fairly large letter. Not too great an investment for either, and could be easily sold on BST.

 

[maxman]

You should easily be able to write 83 names with a single filling which you will easily get from a sample.

The Lamy pens are good pens. Don't completely discount a stub or italic nib. You simply write normally with them, ut it gives the writing a bit of style and flair. Perfect for a wedding. You can get italic nibs for the Lamy's, and the Pilot 78g comes with a broad stub nib that would also look good, IMO even if you printed in fairly large letter. Not too great an investment for either, and could be easily sold on BST.

This is exactly what I was going to suggest.
excellent advice.

 

[oc_in_fw]

The Lamy pens are good pens. Don't completely discount a stub or italic nib. You simply write normally with them, ut it gives the writing a bit of style and flair. Perfect for a wedding. You can get italic nibs for the Lamy's, and the Pilot 78g comes with a broad stub nib that would also look good, IMO even if you printed in fairly large letter.

I agree- italics are great, and no different to write with.

 

[drocu]

Any reason I couldn't use Platinum Preppy's converted to eye droppers? Would a sample of ink be sufficient to fill them? Goulet's youtube vid about the eye dropper conversion implies that you should fill the pen at least half full but doesn't explain why.

I just asked my fiancee and she would prefer regular writing, no italics. I'm waiting on a Waterman Phileas but I don't think it'll get here before I need it unfortunately. Preppy's are the right price.

 

[Dave258]

I was also thinking a Safari or Al-Star all the way. They are very good pens IMHO, and like Mark said, you can get a 1.1 or even 1.5 nib for the Lamy for cheap, and make it look even nicer. I use the 1.1 for everyday type writing and love it. The 1.5 is a bit big for me for everyday writing, but will have a more noticeable line variation on your cards.
I never used a Pilot 78G Stub but hear great things about them.
Also, remember that with a regular fine or medium nib, the cards will be no problem with just an ink sample, but with a Stub, you are putting down more ink, and may need more than one sample.
Congrats on getting married, and good luck with the cards.

 

[Dave258]

Any reason I couldn't use Platinum Preppy's converted to eye droppers? Would a sample of ink be sufficient to fill them? Goulet's youtube vid about the eye dropper conversion implies that you should fill the pen at least half full but doesn't explain why.

I just asked my fiancee and she would prefer regular writing, no italics. I'm waiting on a Waterman Phileas but I don't think it'll get here before I need it unfortunately. Preppy's are the right price.

You need to fill it half way because while you hold the pen, your body temperature warms up the ink, and having something to do with air exchange, it can make the pen "burp" and ink blot all over your work.

 

[drocu]

Just wanted to say thanks for the advice, especially regarding the italics. The handy Nib Nook tool on Gouletpens let me compare the different nibs, and I do like the 1.1mm look; they didn't have the Pilot 78g however. I just placed an order for a Lamy Al-star with a fine nib, a 1.1mm nib, a converter, and samples of ink for the colors we want. With the interchangeable nibs, I'll try the fine and 1.1mm nibs to see how they look. Hopefully the samples are enough.

This morning I had zero FPs. Within the next week, I'll have three. Go figure.

 

[oc_in_fw]

Just wanted to say thanks for the advice, especially regarding the italics. The handy Nib Nook tool on Gouletpens let me compare the different nibs, and I do like the 1.1mm look; they didn't have the Pilot 78g however. I just placed an order for a Lamy Al-star with a fine nib, a 1.1mm nib, a converter, and samples of ink for the colors we want. With the interchangeable nibs, I'll try the fine and 1.1mm nibs to see how they look. Hopefully the samples are enough.

This morning I had zero FPs. Within the next week, I'll have three. Go figure.

It sounds like a good choice, IMO. I like the Lamys because of the easy to swap nibs.

 

[Dave258]

So, what inks did you get?

 

[drocu]

Our colors are "periwinkle blue" and "spring/lime green" (as quoted from my fiancee). For the blue, I ordered samples of Noodler's Periwinkle and Polar Blue; the Periwinkle doesn't have very good reviews but is closer to our desired color while the Polar Blue has great reviews but may not be an exact match. We chose the Gruene Cactus Eel for the green. It's not an exact match but a spring/lime green would have been harder to read so this darker green should be better.

I really like how Gouletpens as well as other vendors have ink samples. Plus, their customer service is great. It's nice dealing with a smaller business, not to mention a vendor on B&B.

 

[Doc4]

What pens would you recommend? I need a good, affordable beginners pen that'll work with no tinkering because time is of the essence.

Ahab.

... Don't completely discount a stub or italic nib. You simply write normally with them, ut it gives the writing a bit of style and flair. Perfect for a wedding. You can get italic nibs for the Lamy's, and the Pilot 78g comes with a broad stub nib that would also look good, ...

I like that thought too. (Too late to pick up a Pilot Plumix, but I'd have suggested it ...)

I just asked my fiancee and she would prefer regular writing, no italics.

No italics, then.

(Well, do a practice one to show her, but be prepared to bail on the whole italic thing.)

Just wanted to say thanks for the advice, especially regarding the italics. The handy Nib Nook tool on Gouletpens let me compare the different nibs, and I do like the 1.1mm look; they didn't have the Pilot 78g however. I just placed an order for a Lamy Al-star with a fine nib, a 1.1mm nib, a converter, and samples of ink for the colors we want. With the interchangeable nibs, I'll try the fine and 1.1mm nibs to see how they look. Hopefully the samples are enough.

Glad it worked out for you!!

This morning I had zero FPs. Within the next week, I'll have three. Go figure.

Welcome to B&B.

 

[drocu]

Welcome to B&B.

Thanks! I've been here for a bit but mostly on the wet shaving side. It's nice to pick up a different AD that doesn't involve cutting myself.

As an aside, Doc4 is a handle I've used before which is kind of funny. "4" is my favorite number and "Doctor" was a nickname I picked up in high school.

 

[Doc4]

As an aside, Doc4 is a handle I've used before which is kind of funny. "4" is my favorite number and "Doctor" was a nickname I picked up in high school.

... as another aside, "drocu" is ... um ... er ... nope, I got nothin'. Never called myself that. Maybe next Halloween I'll get dressed up as Count Drocu-la.

 

[drocu]

I just finished the escort cards with my Lamy Al-star and they look great. I found that I did prefer the 1.1mm nib for writing with more character. I especially liked how easy it was to write in one ink, flush the converter, switch inks, and continue writing. The Noodler's Periwinkle looks good and is very close to the color I was hoping for. The Lamy Al-star will become my regular pen and is filled with Noodler's X-Feather.

Thanks for all of the help. This forum saved me at least $20 by using samples of ink instead of entire bottles. But then again, I did pick up the Lamy, an additional nib, and the converter so I guess it balances out in the end.

 

[Jut]

I just finished the escort cards with my Lamy Al-star and they look great. I found that I did prefer the 1.1mm nib for writing with more character. I especially liked how easy it was to write in one ink, flush the converter, switch inks, and continue writing. The Noodler's Periwinkle looks good and is very close to the color I was hoping for. The Lamy Al-star will become my regular pen and is filled with Noodler's X-Feather.

Thanks for all of the help. This forum saved me at least $20 by using samples of ink instead of entire bottles. But then again, I did pick up the Lamy, an additional nib, and the converter so I guess it balances out in the end.

you came out ahead, as you now have a family heirloom to pass down...

 

[oc_in_fw]

I just finished the escort cards with my Lamy Al-star and they look great. I found that I did prefer the 1.1mm nib for writing with more character. I especially liked how easy it was to write in one ink, flush the converter, switch inks, and continue writing. The Noodler's Periwinkle looks good and is very close to the color I was hoping for. The Lamy Al-star will become my regular pen and is filled with Noodler's X-Feather.

Thanks for all of the help. This forum saved me at least $20 by using samples of ink instead of entire bottles. But then again, I did pick up the Lamy, an additional nib, and the converter so I guess it balances out in the end.

Saving you money, so you can buy more

 

[the_edski]

Glad your cards worked out great! +1 to Gouletpens, great great people!

I really like how Gouletpens as well as other vendors have ink samples. Plus, their customer service is great. It's nice dealing with a smaller business, not to mention a vendor on B&B.