Your Guide to Choosing the Right Calligraphy Nib

When it comes to quality calligraphy nibs, Speedball is a trusted name for artists worldwide. Whether you're working with broad-edge lettering or pointed pen scripts, Speedball manufactures finely crafted nibs to suit every style. Each nib is produced at their Statesville, North Carolina plant using proven traditional processes, with every single nib hand-inspected for precision and quality. This ensures artists enjoy a flawless writing or drawing experience every time.

This guide outlines the different Speedball nibs available, highlighting their unique characteristics and ideal uses to help you choose the perfect nib for your creative needs.

Broad Edge Nibs

Speedball A-Series Nibs

The A-Series, patented in 1913, was the first nib designed by Speedball. Its innovative, multi-purpose design allows artists to produce a range of effects simply by adjusting the angle or flipping the nib.

Speedball B-Series Nibs

Introduced in 1916, the B-Series features a bent "shoe" with a rounded finish, making it perfect for sans serif and monoline designs without thick and thin line variations.

Speedball C-Series Nibs

Launched in 1918, the C-Series is a classic broad-edge nib designed for consistent angle work, delivering the thick-and-thin strokes characteristic of calligraphic alphabets.

Pointed and Crowquill Nibs

#22B Extra Fine, #56 Standard School & #99 Drawing Nibs

#22B Extra Fine: Medium stiffness with a bronze finish, suited to Copperplate, ornamental work, and ruling.

#56 Standard School: Stiff, steady, and durable ; a great nib for beginners.

#99 Drawing: Extremely flexible and capable of dramatic thick-and-thin lines with minimal pressure, perfect for light-touch artists.

#100 Artist & #101 Imperial Artist Nibs

#100 Artist: Highly flexible and delicate, designed for writing at very small sizes on smooth papers.

#101 Imperial Artist: Durable and steady, this nib performs beautifully for larger Copperplate and Spencerian scripts.

#103 Mapping, #104 Drawing, #512 Bowl-Pointed & #513EF Nibs

#103 Mapping: A delicate yet less fragile nib, ideal for artists with a light touch.

#104 Drawing: Superfine, perfect for tiny details and hairlines.

#512 Bowl-Pointed: Fine and reliable for ruling and lettering.

#513EF: Extra-fine, commonly used in industrial arts.

#102 Crowquill, #107 Hawk & #108 Litho Hawk Quill Nibs

#102 Crowquill: Super fine and flexible, designed for the most delicate work.

#107 Hawk Quill: Stiffer and highly durable, excellent for long, even lines and cross-hatching.

#108 Litho Hawk Quill: Suited to cross-hatching, flourishing, and lithography work.

Your Perfect Nib Awaits

Ready to explore the world of calligraphy? Visit Art Shed Brisbane to discover our comprehensive range of Speedball nibs and find the perfect tool to bring your creative vision to life.