Calligraphy & Engraving FAQ for Gold Coast & Brisbane

Most glass and metal surfaces, most stainless steel drink bottles, and some plastics. If a surface is untested or plastic, I’ll recommend a test item first so we know it engraves cleanly.

Popular water bottle brands like Yeti, Frank Green, Stanley, Hydro Flask, S’well and Corkcicle all use stainless steel or powder-coated finishes that engrave well. Surface finishes vary across some Yeti models, so for those I’ll test a small area under the bottle first.

Not suitable for engraving

• Champagne or other pressurised bottles (I can personalise these with paint pens instead)
• Excessively ridged or patterned surfaces

Creative Inking keeps stock of white and black paper fans and a smaller range of other fan colors. We also carry a large selection of plain and decorative place cards, and at times compact mirrors and luggage tags. We can help source paper stock products (any shape or size) to suit your brief.

You are welcome to supply your own items; they can be dropped off or posted to our Mermaid Beach address.

Popular live requests include perfume engraving, bottle engraving, glass engraving, gift tagging and handwritten calligraphy. Alison offers live calligraphy, on-site engraving, foiling, painting and wood burning, and the setup suits in-store activations, corporate events, weddings, product launches, influencer events and milestone celebrations.

Yes. Alison has years of experience across luxury retail, shopping centres and high-volume activations, delivering fast, polished personalisation while keeping guests engaged. For larger gifting campaigns, additional artists can be arranged, and table setup, attire and workflow are tailored to your brief.

Yes, I’m open to commissions for poems, letters and the like.

Holiday notice: I generally pause commissions during December because of the high volume of live events. Reach out early if you’re planning a Christmas gift so we can book time in.

Timelines depend on the project, but we aim to complete in-studio work within 2–4 weeks. If we need to source products for you, this window may extend.

Reach out as early as possible to secure a spot, especially around peak gifting periods like Christmas, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day.

• Let your celebrant know you want your certificate handwritten and ask them to post or drop off the certificate.
• If you are a celebrant, get in touch. We regularly work with celebrants and can help you elevate your service with calligraphy.

Yes. Finished pieces are typically sent by Express Post or courier, Australia-wide. You are also welcome to drop off or collect from the Mermaid Beach studio.

Yes. Powder-coated stainless steel engraves cleanly, with the lettering revealing the silver steel beneath the coloured coating, so the result is permanent and won’t peel or rub off. For unusual coatings or plastic sections, I’ll recommend testing a spare or low-risk area first.

Perfume and fragrance bottle engraving starts from $80 each. In-studio projects have a $150 minimum spend to cover setup and design time. The final quote depends on the bottle surface, inscription, quantity, artwork and return delivery.

Names, initials, dates and short messages usually work best. A simple motif may also be possible when the bottle has enough clear space. Send the wording and clear photos of the front, back and sides so Alison can check the curves, coating, labels and available engraving area before confirming the design.

Hand engraving cuts lettering into a suitable glass surface for a permanent, tactile finish. Bottle painting places colour and artwork on the surface, making it well suited to florals, illustrations and decorative details. Alison can recommend engraving, painting or a combination after checking the bottle and your preferred design.

Yes. Gold Coast customers can arrange drop-off and collection at the Creative Inking studio, 53 Petrel Ave, Mermaid Beach. Bottles can also be posted by prior arrangement, with secure return postage or courier delivery included in the quote. Please contact Alison before sending an item so the surface, timing and delivery details can be checked.

In-studio perfume engraving generally takes 2–4 weeks, subject to availability and quantity. Allow extra time if products need to be sourced or posted, and book early around Christmas, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Share your required date when requesting a quote so Alison can confirm the schedule before you send or drop off the bottle.

Alison offers a variety of scripts including Copperplate, Spencerian, Gothic, and modern scripts. She does not copy another calligrapher’s exact style but can suggest scripts that complement your project or event.

No. All supplies are provided and included in the cost of every class and workshop.

Classes and workshops run from the Creative Inking studio in Mermaid Beach on the Gold Coast. Private group workshops can also travel to your venue by arrangement.

Yes. Private brush pen, pointed pen and hand engraving workshops are available for individuals and private groups, alongside the regular scheduled classes. Reach out with your preferred date and group size.

Regular classes and workshops run from the Creative Inking studio in Mermaid Beach on the Gold Coast, about an hour’s drive from Brisbane, and students often travel down for a session. For groups, Alison brings private calligraphy and hand engraving workshops to Brisbane venues by arrangement, which is popular for corporate team events, hens parties and birthdays. Request a private Brisbane workshop with your preferred date and group size.

For on-site work there is a 3 hour minimum booking.

In-studio projects start at a $150 minimum spend to cover setup and design time.

Live event work starts at $250 per hour with a 3 hour minimum.

In-studio work is varied, so reach out with as much detail as possible for a tailored quote. As a rough starting guide:

• Certificate calligraphy: From $70 each
• Calligraphy on place cards: From $4 each
• Calligraphy on envelopes with full addresses: From $8 each
• Engraving on fragrances: From $80 each

Fast turnarounds may incur a rush fee. For further details see our dedicated calligraphy pricing guide.

Alison is based on the Gold Coast and regularly services Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, Northern NSW and wider Southeast Queensland for local events. She is also happy to travel further by arrangement.

Rush fees may apply for urgent jobs. Reach out with your deadline and we’ll let you know what’s possible.

Creative Inking has delivered calligraphy and engraving since 2009 across live brand activations, weddings, corporate gifting and in-studio projects. Alison brings the same established hand-lettering and engraving practice to each brief, from the initial design through to the finished personalisation.