Custom Engraving, Calligraphy & Personalised Gifts in Gold Coast & Brisbane

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.