The Lost Art of Letter-Writing: A Simple Kit for Civilised Correspondence

If you’ve been meaning to write more letters but feel overwhelmed by options, this simple letter writing starter kit is for you. Instead of falling down a stationery rabbit hole, we’ll walk through a small, well-chosen set of tools that make writing to friends and family feel calm, easy and quietly enjoyable.

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Everything here is chosen with a normal UK home in mind – no need for a full study or library. A decent pen, paper that behaves, envelopes that fit and ink you trust are enough to turn letter-writing into a small ritual you’ll actually look forward to.

If you’d like the “why” and the romance behind all this, pair this kit with our companion piece, On Writing Letters, and the Stationery That Makes It a Pleasure.

What’s in This Letter-Writing Starter Kit?

Think of this as a capsule wardrobe for your writing desk. The aim is to buy once, use often, and avoid drawers full of “almost right” stationery.

• One reliable everyday fountain pen
• Blue-black fountain pen ink (bottled or cartridges)
• Letter-writing paper in a friendly size
• Matching envelopes that fit neatly
• A few small extras that quietly make life easier

We’ve included links to well-reviewed options so you can build a letter-writing starter kit that suits your budget and tastes.

1. A Reliable Everyday Fountain Pen

You don’t need an heirloom pen. What you want is a pen that:

• Starts writing straight away, without hard starts.
• Feels comfortable in the hand for a full page or two.
• Is robust enough to live on the kitchen table or in a pencil pot.

Look for an entry-level fountain pen with:

• Medium nib (fine can feel scratchy on cheaper paper).
• Cartridge or converter filling system.
• Snap-on cap with a clip so it doesn’t roll away.

Browse simple everyday fountain pens on Amazon UK (#ad)

Choose one you actually like the look of – you’re more likely to pick it up if it makes you quietly happy every time you take the cap off.

2. Blue-Black Fountain Pen Ink

The right ink is half the battle. For most people, a good blue-black or soft blue looks tidy and grown-up without feeling like office paperwork.

For this starter kit, you have two sensible options:

• Cartridges: easiest and cleanest – ideal if you’re just starting.
• Bottled ink + converter: more economical long term, with a bit of ritual.

Look for ink described as quick-drying, suitable for everyday writing and compatible with your chosen pen.

Blue-black bottled fountain pen ink (#ad)


Blue-black standard international cartridges (#ad)

3. Letter-Writing Paper (A5 or Similar)

Paper is where many “cheap” kits fall down. For comfortable letter-writing, aim for:

• Weight: around 90–120 gsm (thicker than printer paper).
• Colour: cream or off-white – easier on the eyes than bright white.
• Texture: smooth or gently textured; avoid very glossy finishes.

A5 (half of A4) is a friendly size: it feels generous, but you’re not staring at an intimidatingly large sheet. Lined or unlined is personal preference – if your handwriting tends to drift, choose light lines.

A5 letter-writing paper sets (#ad)

If you’d rather not think too hard about it, a boxed letter writing stationery set with coordinated paper and envelopes is a neat shortcut:

Letter writing sets with matching envelopes (#ad)

4. Matching Envelopes That Actually Fit

Envelopes should feel like part of the kit, not an afterthought. If you’re writing on A5 paper, C6 envelopes are the simple choice: fold once and it fits neatly without wrestling.

Look for:

• Good-quality paper that hides show-through.
• A square or wallet-style flap (personal preference, but square often feels a touch more “letter” and less “bill”).
• A shade that either matches or gently complements your paper.

Cream C6 envelopes for A5 letters (#ad)


Kraft C6 envelopes for a more rustic look (#ad)

5. Small Extras That Make Letter-Writing Easier

You can absolutely stop at pen + paper + envelopes + ink and call your letter-writing starter kit complete. But a few small extras can quietly make the whole thing more satisfying.

Blotting Paper

Blotting paper speeds up drying time and reduces smudges, especially if you’re left-handed or writing quickly.

Blotting paper for fountain-pen ink (#ad)

Address Labels or a Small Address Book

If you balk at squeezing postcodes into tiny corners, a simple sheet of labels or a neat little address book can help.

Small address books for your writing kit (#ad)

An Optional Wax Seal Kit

Completely unnecessary; completely charming. A wax seal is the sort of thing you’ll use for birthday cards, Christmas letters and the occasional slightly theatrical thank-you note.

Wax seal kits and sealing wax sticks (#ad)

A Simple Storage Box or Tray

Finally, give your kit a home. A shallow box, tray or drawer insert that lives in “your” corner of the house makes it easy to pull everything out in one go when you feel like writing.

Wooden desk organiser trays (#ad)

If you’d like to make this corner feel a little more deliberate, a small piece of printable wall art above your writing spot is a nice finishing touch:

Instant-download wall art posters for a cosy study corner (#ad)

How to Use Your Letter-Writing Starter Kit

Once you’ve assembled your kit, the next step is simply to make it easy to use. A simple, repeatable ritual helps:

1. Choose a quiet ten minutes. Weekend mornings or a midweek evening work well.
2. Lay everything out. Paper, envelopes, pen, blotting paper and a drink.
3. Date the page. Future you – or the person you’re writing to – will be glad.
4. Write one side. A single page is enough; no need for essays.
5. Address and seal. Let the ink dry, fold, seal and enjoy the small walk to the post box.

Over time, you may add a second pen or a favourite ink colour, but you don’t need much more than this to have a fully-working, grown-up letter-writing starter kit.

For more on why letters still matter – and how to make writing them feel like a pleasure, not homework – read On Writing Letters, and the Stationery That Makes It a Pleasure, and explore more gentle projects from Start Here or via the Danbury & Lovejoy newsletter.