An artist’s materials are of the utmost importance, especially when creating a work of art meant to endure at least as long as your lasting relationship. 

Ketubah Graphia seeks the best quality and most environmentally conscious and archival materials possible. Here are my favorites, used to make all ketubahs:

Paper – I’ve tried a number of papers for calligraphy but in the end, Arches watercolor paper wins.

I use cold-pressed, 140 lb. in either size 16” x 20” or 22” x 30”.  It’s manufactured from pure cotton fiber, and Arches papers have been mold-made in the same papermill in France since 1492, so you know they’re doing something right. And the deckled (natural) edges are a key added touch. 

The durability and fact that Arches paper is acid-free, pH-neutral, gelatin-sized, and air-dried is important for a document as important as a ketubah.

Inks – I favor FW Artist Inks from Daler-Rowney.  I love how the inks lay down so smoothly and consistently on the top of the watercolor and the range of both opaque and pearlescent inks available.

Pen Nibs – My go-tos are usually Speedball ‘C’ Style Nibs #C-4 and #C-5, depending on the size of the text I’m writing.

Glue – For the papercut details of my ketubot, I use Lineco Neutral Ph Adhesive.  It dries transparent, creates a permanent bond and most importantly is archival.

Signature Pens — All ketubahs include a black permanent, archival ink pen. I like Sakura's Pigma Micron pens, .005 size tip for signing during your ceremony. Microns are available in all art supply and most stationery stores and do come in other colors (and thicknesses).

If couples choose to erase penciled in signature lines and aren’t nearby for me to erase them, I only recommend and provide a white eraser for erasing pencil lines for signatures.

Please get in touch if you have any questions or would like further recommendations.