The 2026 Graceful Envelope Contest has a New Theme and New Rules: Place your Entry Envelope inside a Carrier Envelope.
Great Beginnings
The year 2026 marks two significant milestones: the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Washington Calligraphers Guild and the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence. These anniversaries recognize the importance of courage and creative action to begin a new venture.
For this year’s contest, celebrate an historic event which marked the beginning of something new — a collaboration, a discovery, an invention, a movement — which proved beneficial to society.
Please note New Rules below:
2026 Theme:
New 'Carrier Envelope' required:
The USPS automated mail sorting equipment often has difficulty reading addresses on mail art. This has led to frustration with denied mailings, returned envelopes and delayed contest arrivals. To prevent these problems, we ask that all contest entry envelopes (with original artwork and calligraphy) be placed inside a plain carrier envelope that is clearly marked on the front with the contest address (see below) and your return address, with correct postage.
The contest entry envelope cannot exceed 7x9 inches, but the carrier envelope may be any size. The carrier envelope should have no art on the outside to facilitate machine sorting and prompt delivery.
Stamps: As in the past, the 2026 contest will continue to require at least one stamp on the contest entry envelope (preferably one that integrates with the design), but it need not have the full correct postage. (For student entries that are mailed in bulk by teachers, postage on the contest entry envelope is not required; however, integration of at least one stamp into the design does strengthen a submission.)
Full postage is required for the carrier envelope. The amount of postage will depend on weight, but current first-class postage of 78 cents applies to #10 business envelopes as well as envelopes not exceeding 7x9 inches. Square envelopes are permitted, but that shape requires $1.27 postage. (These postage rates are current as of August 2025; be aware of any subsequent increase.)
What to write on the back of contest entry envelopes:
• The contestant’s name
• Address
• Email (students may use a teacher’s or parent’s email rather than their own)
• Division of the contest (Adult, Grades 9-12, Grades 5-8, or Grades 1-4). Students, please indicate your grade (international students: provide your age)
• Instagram handle (if you wish, for winner publicity).
All carrier envelopes will be discarded after opening, so be sure your contest entry envelope has on the back the required information; incomplete information may lead to disqualification.
Address both your contest entry envelope and carrier envelope to:
The Graceful Envelope Contest
P.O. Box 3688
Merrifield, VA 22116
Judging Criteria: Entries will be judged by the representation of the contest theme, the quality of calligraphy or artistic lettering, and effective use of color and design including the incorporation of postage stamp(s). Judges look at only the front of the envelope, so do not put your name there. Entry envelopes are never opened. Many artists create their entry on quality paper wrapped around matboard rather than using a premade envelope.
Who Can Enter: The contest has no entry fee; however, only one entry is allowed per person.
Entry envelopes will be judged in these divisions: Adult; Grades 9-12; Grades 5-8; Grades 1-4.
Questions? Contact Peggy Barlett at pbarlett@emory.edu.
Postmark Deadline: Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
Remember to put your name, address, email and contest division on the back of your entry envelope.
Contest winners and honorable mentions will receive certificates. Their entries will be posted to the Washington Calligraphers Guild website and featured in various publications. We regret that we cannot return entries or notify those not selected.
"My advice to entrants is to think outside the box regarding the theme of that year—reject the most obvious ideas, especially the corny ones! Really let yourself go in thinking of different approaches to the subject. I see each envelope as a miniature narrative of three parts: solid lettering; innovative design or illustration; and selection of stamp relating to theme. It is a synergy of the parts reflecting the theme that wins." —Peggy Schiefelbein, former GEC juror
"An envelope with a design portraying the theme in a unique way, setting it apart from the pack, with lettering that works well with the design and a stamp that looks like it belongs, would definitely be in the running. Overall, I don't believe it is the best calligrapher that will always win, nor the best drafter or painter—it is the artist who is able to use both effectively to execute the theme in the most compelling way." —Shane Perry, former GEC juror
Get inspiration for your Graceful Envelope entry from the latest issue of the WCG full-color magazine Scripsit, available for purchase here.
More than 100 winning Graceful Envelopes are featured in 36 pages. Chapters cover selected winning envelopes from each Graceful Envelope Contest from 2020/21 through 2025 [winners whose envelopes appear in this issue]. Bonus: calligrapher Carol DuBosch shares in detail how she developed her entries.
Writer & designer: Lorraine Swerdloff, a former GE contest coordinator (2007-18).
The magazine also celebrates repeat winners of the contest from its inception in 1995 to 2025. An honor roll of the Top 25 Winners is accompanied by an art-filled countdown of the Top 10 Winners. Congratulations to all, and sincere thanks to everyone who has entered.