How I Started a Calligraphy Engraving Business in Bali

Around mid-2025, I got my first live engraving job at a well-known local perfume brand called HMNS in Beachwalk Mall Bali. I remember feeling so nervous my hands were actually shaking a little bit. But when I finished that first bottle and saw the customer’s face light up – man, that was the moment I knew this was going to be something special.

Starting calligraphy engraving services in Bali turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made, even though I had absolutely no idea what I was doing at first. I’m not gonna lie, there were plenty of mistakes along the way (like, A LOT), but there were also some really beautiful moments that made it all worth it.

In this post I’m going to share my whole journey – the good parts, the frustrating parts, and everything in between. Whether you’re thinking about starting your own calligraphy engraving business or you’re just curious about what it takes, I hope my experience can help you out. And hey, if you’re planning an event in Bali and need some luxury personalized touches, well… keep reading because I might be able to help with that too.

What is Calligraphy Engraving? Why I Chose This Path

So first things first – what even IS calligraphy engraving?

Basically, it’s the art of using a small handheld drill (kind of like what nail techs use, actually) to etch beautiful lettering and designs into glass, metal, and other hard surfaces. Unlike machine laser engraving which can look a bit… sterile? Hand calligraphy engraving has this organic, flowing quality that just feels more personal and luxurious.

You’ve probably seen it before even if you didn’t realize what it was. Big luxury brands like YSL, Armani, and Chanel use calligraphy engraving services for their VIP events and product launches because it adds that special touch of exclusivity. When someone can watch their gift being personalized right in front of them, it creates this whole experience that they remember.

My Personal Journey Into Engraving

I’ve been doing calligraphy for a few years now – started as a hobby like so many people. But I wanted to expand beyond just paper and ink, you know? I kept seeing these amazing engravers on Instagram working with luxury brands, and I thought “maybe there’s a market for this in Bali.”

The learning curve was… interesting. I taught myself mostly through YouTube videos and a LOT of trial and error. My first attempts were honestly pretty rough. I practiced on cheap glass bottles and my dad’s opened wine bottles. There were cracked bottles, wobbly lines, designs that just looked terrible – the whole nine yards.

But I kept at it because I could see the potential. I figured if I could get good enough at calligraphy engraving, there would definitely be people willing to pay for it.

How to Start a Calligraphy Engraving Business

Alright, let’s get into the practical stuff – what you actually need to get started with calligraphy engraving.

The Equipment You’ll Need

The most important tool is obviously the engraver itself. This is basically a small rotary tool (think fancy dental drill) that spins diamond-tipped burs at really high speeds to etch into surfaces.

When I first started, I didn’t even buy an engraver—I used my nail drill since I’m also a nail artist (Lace Beauty Bar) and already had one. It was a standard (non-brushless) drill, and honestly, it worked just fine for getting started. When I got my first live engraving job, I decided to upgrade to a brushless motor engraver with higher RPM that I bought from China, which was a bit tricky to get shipped to Indonesia. I was happy with the purchase and the overall quality, but I wouldn’t say the difference was dramatic. The brushless motor was a little smoother and quieter, and it has a pause button which is very useful. Here’s what I’d recommend based on my experience:

For beginners: Start with something like the standard engraver (around $50-70 on Amazon). It’s decent quality and won’t break the bank while you’re learning.

For serious work: Invest in a brushless motor engraver that goes up to 35,000 RPM. I use one that cost about $100-120, and it’s been worth every penny. Some professional engravers use fancier models that cost $300-500, but honestly you don’t need that when you’re starting out.

Diamond burs: These are the actual tips that do the engraving. You’ll want different sizes – I mainly use 0.8mm, 1mm, 1.2mm, and 2mm. The smaller ones (0.5mm or 0.8mm) are great for detailed work and adding those pretty swells to make faux calligraphy. Burs cost around $10-20 for a set on Amazon.

Drafting tools: Before you engrave, you need to draw your design on the surface. I use:

• Mitsubishi Dermatograph pencil because I can’t find Stabilo-all pencils here
• Posca paint markers (0.7mm or 1mm tip) – perfect for glass
• Tombow brush pens for drafting more elaborate designs

Other essential stuff:

• Safety glasses (seriously, don’t skip these – glass dust in your eyes is no joke)
• Dust mask
• Small pillow to hold bottles steady
• Dust brush
• Rubbing alcohol for cleaning
• Rub ‘n Buff (metallic wax) if you want to add gold or silver color fill to your engravings
• Essential oil (optional) for removing the metallic wax
• Cotton pads for wiping and cleaning
• Microfiber cloths or tissue papers
• Small towel or other working mats

Just in case (for live events):

• Regular pen and small notepad for clients to write their requests
• Small plastic bag for trash
• Small lamp (if you’re working in the evening with minimal lighting)
• Charger and power bank
• Backup engraver (because things happen)
• Your business cards or signage
• Water and snacks to keep yourself fueled!

Total startup cost for equipment? You can get going for around $100-150 if you’re budget-conscious, or $300-400 if you want better quality tools from the start. (It all depends on where you live too)

Where to find supplies in Bali or Indonesia: This was actually one of my biggest challenges. Most of my engraving tools I order from Shopee and Tokopedia (Indonesian online marketplace). Local art supply stores in Denpasar, Canggu, Sanur like Bali Art Supplies and Artland sometimes have Posca markers and other basics. The diamond burs (or dental burs) and Rub n’ Buff I order online.

Skills You Need to Develop

The technical skill of engraving takes practice. Like, a LOT of practice.

The hardest part is controlling the pressure and speed. You need a super light touch – let the tool do the work, don’t push hard. Moving too fast makes lines skip, moving too slow can crack delicate glass. Finding that sweet spot takes time.

If you already do calligraphy with pen and ink, you’ve got a head start because you understand letterforms and spacing. But engraving is different enough that even experienced calligraphers need to practice.

I probably engraved 20+ practice bottles before I felt confident enough to do my first paid job. And honestly? I was still learning on those early client projects too.

Pricing: What to Charge

Figuring out pricing was probably the hardest part for me. Like, I really struggled with this.

Here’s what I learned: calligraphy engraving services command premium prices because it’s a luxury service. But you also need to price based on your market and experience level.

My current pricing structure:

For live events (weddings, brand activations, corporate events):

• $50-100 per hour with a 3-hour minimum
• This covers me showing up with all equipment, doing engraving on-site

For in-studio work (individual orders):

• Simple name/initials on perfume bottle: $10-20
• Wine bottle with name + date: $20-30
• More elaborate designs with flourishes: $25-50
• Custom illustrations or complex multi-line text: $50-75+

What I Actually Offer (My Services)

So here’s what I do now as a provider of calligraphy engraving services in Bali:

Glass Engraving

This is my bread and butter. Perfume bottles are probably my favorite – there’s something really satisfying about personalizing a luxury fragrance. I’ve worked on bottles from Jo Malone, Armani, La Mer, you name it.

Wine bottles are popular for weddings and gifts- couples love having personalized bottles as thank-you gifts for guests or for the head table. Champagne bottles too, though those can’t actually be engraved because of the pressure inside (they’d explode!), so I do bottle painting on those instead.

I also do glass tumblers, mirrors, picture frames, and decorative glassware.

Bottle Painting

For pressurized bottles like champagne—or items where engraving isn’t ideal—I offer hand-painted illustrations using specialized paints. Rather than calligraphy, I paint detailed designs such as florals and decorative motifs, tailored to each piece. This technique works beautifully on perfumes, wines, champagnes, and similar bottles.

While painted designs aren’t permanent in the same way engraving is, they are durable with proper care and create a striking, artistic finish. Bottle painting can be done on its own or combined with engraving to create a cohesive, elevated look that feels truly one of a kind.

Metal Engraving

This is trickier than glass but opens up more possibilities. I’ve engraved on metal perfume caps, cosmetic compacts, and even metal water bottles or tumblers. Metal requires slower speeds on the engraver and sometimes different bur sizes. The finish comes out really nice though.

Live Event Engraving

This is where the magic happens, honestly. There’s something really special about doing calligraphy engraving at a live event.

Picture this: a luxury hotel is hosting a beauty brand activation. Guests make a purchase and then come to my station where I engrave their product right there while they watch. They get to see the whole process, ask questions, and walk away with something truly unique.

For live events, speed matters more than super intricate designs. You want to keep the line moving while still creating beautiful work. I can usually complete a simple name or phrase in 5-10 minutes.

Wedding Calligraphy Services

Weddings in Bali are next level. The destination wedding market here is huge, and couples planning these events often have bigger budgets for those special luxury touches.

Common wedding requests:

• Guest favor perfume bottles or candles
• Welcome gifts for VIP guests
• Place card holders
• Decorative mirrors or frames
• Wine bottles for the reception

Corporate Brand Activations

This is the premium end of the market. Luxury brands hosting events at department stores or hotels hire calligraphy engraving services to add that VIP experience.

I’ve worked with local perfume brands, beauty boutiques, and even some international brands doing pop-up events in Bali. The brands I dream of working with? Dior, YSL – they all do regular engraving activations in other markets. Bali’s luxury market is growing, so hopefully those opportunities will come.

Lessons for Anyone Starting Calligraphy Engraving Services

After doing this for a while now, here are the biggest lessons I’ve learned:

1. Practice Way More Than You Think You Need To

I thought I was ready after practicing for a month. Nope. I should have practiced for three months before taking on clients.

Buy cheap glass bottles or just find whatever you have at home – jars, bottles, vases, cosmetics. Practice until your hand movements feel natural and your lettering is consistent. Film yourself working and watch the videos back to spot mistakes you don’t notice in the moment.

Also, practice on different surfaces. Glass bottles, metal compacts, flat glass, curved glass – they all feel different and require slightly different techniques.

2. Start Local and Small

My first paying clients were friends and family. Then friends of friends. Then local boutiques who wanted to offer personalized products.

Don’t expect to land Four Seasons events in your first month. Build your portfolio with smaller jobs first. Document everything with good photos. Those early projects are how you prove yourself.

I offered my first few events at a discount just to get experience and testimonials. Once I had some solid work under my belt and happy clients willing to vouch for me, raising prices and landing bigger gigs got easier.

3. Invest in Good Equipment (But Not Right Away)

Start with budget tools and upgrade once you’re making money. There’s no point dropping $500 on a fancy engraver if you’re not sure this is something you’ll stick with. That said, once you start getting regular work, invest in quality tools.

4. Your Portfolio is Everything

Good photography makes or breaks your ability to get clients. Every piece you complete, photograph it beautifully. Natural lighting, clean backgrounds, multiple angles.

I wish I’d taken better photos of my early work. Some of my best pieces from the beginning, I only have mediocre phone pics and it drives me crazy.

Build an Instagram specifically for your work. Post consistently. Use relevant hashtags. Engage with potential clients and other artists. Instagram has been my biggest source of leads.

5. Be Professional Even When You Don’t Feel Like It

Show up on time—early, actually. Bali traffic is unpredictable; I once spent three hours on a drive that should’ve taken under an hour. Dress appropriately for events, don’t forget to ask the dress code. Respond to emails or messages promptly. Send invoices quickly.

Sounds basic, right? But you’d be surprised how many creative professionals drop the ball on the business basics. Being reliable and professional sets you apart.

6. What Surprised Me Most

The thing that surprised me most? How much people value the EXPERIENCE of watching something being created.

I thought people just wanted the end product – the personalized bottle. But actually, watching the calligraphy engraving happen in real time is a big part of the appeal. People gather around, they ask questions, they film it, they post it on Instagram.

Live engraving is entertainment and personalization rolled into one, and that’s why brands are willing to pay premium rates for it.

Also, I underestimated how emotionally meaningful this work would be. When someone cheers up because you’ve engraved a message for their beloved friend’s birthday, or when a bride gets emotional seeing her bridesmaids’ names on their gift bottles – that stuff hits different. It’s not just pretty lettering, it’s creating meaningful moments for people.

Final Thoughts

Starting a calligraphy engraving business definitely isn’t the easiest path, but if you love working with your hands, creating beautiful things, and being part of special moments, it can be incredibly rewarding. And honestly? Even with the mistakes and learning curves, this journey has been amazing. Building a calligraphy engraving business has given me flexibility, creative freedom, and the chance to be part of people’s most meaningful celebrations—not bad for something that started as a hobby.

The market for calligraphy engraving services is growing. More couples want personalized touches at their weddings. More brands want to create memorable VIP experiences. More people are looking for unique, thoughtful gifts that truly feel special.

Is there room for more calligraphers in this space? Absolutely. The market isn’t saturated at all—especially in Bali, where I’m currently the only one offering hand calligraphy engraving services (at least that I know of).

If you’re thinking about getting into this, my advice is simple: just start. Buy some basic equipment, practice relentlessly, begin with small projects, and build from there. Document your work, network consistently, and don’t be afraid to charge what you’re worth.

It won’t happen overnight, but if you’re willing to put in the work, there’s real opportunity here.

Ready to add luxury calligraphy engraving to your Bali event? Whether you’re planning a wedding, hosting a brand activation, or creating a one-of-a-kind gift, I’d love to help bring your vision to life. Book my professional calligraphy engraving services and let’s create something truly unforgettable.

If you have questions—or you’re curious about getting started in this space—feel free to reach out. I love talking about this craft, and who knows, maybe we’ll even collaborate on a project someday.