About Us

Since 1981, John Neal Books has supplied calligraphers, lettering artists, illuminators, bookbinders, and papercraft enthusiasts from all around the world with the tools and materials they need for their craft and art. We also publish Letter Arts Review, a full-color journal on the lettering arts, and Bound & Lettered, a quarterly magazine on making books and making letters. We are a small company that is known for its friendly service and prompt shipping.

CALLIGRAPHY & ILLUMINATION: We stock all the basic items for beginners plus an extensive range of calligraphy tools and supplies for both broad-edged calligraphy and pointed-pen work (Copperplate, Spencerian, Modern), including pen nibs, penholders, inks and paints, calligraphy pens and brush markers, ruling pens, fountain pens, guidelines, and light pads - and so much more.

You'll find hard-to-locate calligraphy supplies such as Brause and Mitchell Nibs, oblique pen holders, gum sandarac, gum ammoniac, prepared vellum, ruling pens for calligraphy, and pointed nibs from France, Germany, Japan, and the USA. We stock a selection of good books (and videos) on calligraphy, illumination, pointed pen scripts, and more.

For the illuminator, we also stock gold leaf, burnishers, gesso, and a variety of sizes for flat and raised gilding, among other items.

BOOKBINDING: We stock basic bookbinding supplies, such as bookbinding needles, linen thread, and bone folders, as well as instructional books on bookbinding and ones about artists' books.


ORDERING
Our regular hours are 9:00am - 6:00pm Eastern Time, Monday - Friday. During those hours, a person will answer the phone and take your order or answer your questions.
During other hours, you can leave a voicemail message with your order or a call-back request. Fax orders to 336-272-9015.
Of course, johnnealbooks.com is always open. Place an order, request a catalog, or check out our product help section.


VISITING
We are a print catalog and eCommerce company. You can order online or by phone for pickup at the store during our regular hours. Please allow us time to pull your order. We are closed on Christmas and Thanksgiving and may have limited hours on and around holidays.

You may drop by between 9am and 6pm. Note that there is only a very small sign in the window of the store, though the street number is large. If you are coming from out of town, you are encouraged to call ahead. We don't always make it here by 9am and we sometimes leave before 6pm. Also, the people who can answer your questions about products may be at lunch or running an errand or homesick. If the weekend is your only option, we are usually able to make an appointment for you to visit on Saturday or Sunday.
If you are coming from out-of-town and wish to browse and shop, please call or email ahead of time. If the weekend is your only option, we are usually able to accommodate you. Please understand that there is no retail store with the usual display of merchandise. The books are in stacks, alphabetical by title. Supplies are in bin boxes by their code numbers. Nothing is priced. There are steps up and down throughout. Wear sensible shoes; open footwear or high heels are not appropriate for the space.


CUSTOMER COMMENTS
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