As the saying goes, you only get one first impression. Because of this, many of us make sure that we look our best when making introductions. But sometimes, we are making implicit first impressions without even realizing it. Take, for instance, when writing a letter or note to someone.
The way in which we present ourselves on paper says just as much to the recipient as if we were standing in front of them. If the paper is bad or the handwriting is scratchy and illegible, then it’s near impossible for the reader to feel anything but less-than.
At Inkstable, we believe that penmanship is a way in which one can present themselves as a gentleman and that the written word is a sort of talisman. Because of this, if one doesn’t take the time to show careful consideration in how they write as much as what they write, then you are doing a disservice to your relationship with the recipient.
Beautiful penmanship matters for the writer, too. It gives one the feeling of elegance and brings a sense of charm and intention into the practice of sitting down and putting your thoughts to paper. In our experience, a fountain pen’s ink flow and ability to be customizable to the user experience makes it a great option for perfecting one’s handwriting while giving you the necessary patience and attention each letter deserves.
We know that improving one’s penmanship can be a daunting task – many of us haven’t had to practice writing since elementary school! But there are many ways in which to do so.
The best way is to use a workbook. Many sites (and even Amazon) carry workbooks that are dedicated to perfecting one’s penmanship using repetition exercises with helpful instructions for lettering. If you’re not sure about investing in a book, search for online worksheets to practice a few simple exercises and see if it’s for you.
You can also try to change the writing utensil and paper you use. For me, a ballpoint pen always produces a very bad end result. I think I apply too much pressure and scratch the paper. Conversely, with a fountain pen, I’m a bit more patient and slow, producing a more legible script. Paper can also play a role in this (especially with fountain pens), so try to use different stationery and pens to see what works best for you.
Most importantly, practice! As with any skill, you won’t perfect it right away but the end result pays off. Good penmanship is about intention and muscle memory and the more you practice, your hand will begin to “remember” the swirls and loops that become a beautiful letter in no time.
