Discovering personalized stationery has been a revelation. It feels wonderful to pull out a piece and make that first penstroke on the smooth paper topped with my name or monogram. Personalized stationery elevates the experience of letter writing.

For some people, owning personalized stationery is like owning a pair of really good, dark-rinse blue jeans or a string of pearls. It’s something you use often and looks great with everything. But for other people, it’s a bit of a mystery…it’s something you might have heard about or seen in an old photograph of a famous writer at his or her desk, but not anything you or your friends have ever actually owned.

To this point, I was 45 years old when I discovered the idea of personalized stationery. I grew up and live in a northern city in a squarely middle class neighborhood. My friends and family had always sent me notes on plain stationery. When I was younger, we used notebook paper or sometimes plain letter sheets. When I got older, we used greeting cards, or boxed cards from the grocery store. Later, we used email and now texting.

Personalized stationery options

At first, I considered each piece precious; I wanted to save it for “special” occasions. But soon I realized that — at $45 for a box of 25, or $70 for a box of 50 — it cost less to use my stationery than it did to buy a greeting card at the store….way less!

Now, when I want to sit down and write a letter or a thank-you, the first thing I do is to pull out my boxes of personalized stationery and decide which style to use: my white flat card with silver lettering, or my ivory folded note with an embossed monogram or my monogrammed ivory letter sheets.

There are two main methods of personalization: your initials (otherwise known as a monogram) or your name. For the longest time, I owned simple monogrammed stationery — a flat card with a navy monogram and a matching navy border. Simple. Classic. I wanted my first personalized stationery to be traditional like that. When my blue monogram stationery ran out, I tried an embossed monogram. I love that it is 100% recyclable and even compostable, so it is eco-friendly. At the same time, it’s also very classic.

Recently I discovered an intriguing lettering style and decided to try my name as the personalization. I love that one too!

A smart investment

My investment in personalized stationery has paid off. Writing notes and letters has become a pleasure. I delight in running my fingers over the raised lettering or embossing. I feel like my stationery expresses myself beautifully. And when my box runs low, I feel excited about making a decision: Do I reorder a favorite or select a new design?

Personalized stationery options can feel endless. To simplify your decision, go with your gut. What style speaks to you? Look in your closet: do you tend toward the traditional or the trendy? Perhaps take a cue there. Good luck with your decision!

Happy Letter Writing Week! We’re plugged in 24/7. We’re Instagramming, Lyfting, streaming and texting. Spending one week celebrating pen and ink — and perhaps even unplugging — feels like an extremely wonderful idea!

Slowing down and enjoying the pleasures of writing our thoughts to our dearest and closest friends and family may seem quaint, but letter writing can also be powerful. First, reaching out to others can strengthen our sense of community. Second, it can help us to unplug for an hour or two. Researchers tell us our screen culture increases our anxiety, cuts us off from one another and in some ways is more addictive than crack cocaine. Third, and let’s be honest here, letter writing gives us a chance to show off our beautiful stationery. Sure, we can use notebook paper or email, but where’s the fun in that?

I love the smooth feel of the stationery, the raised impression of the embossing or thermography, and crisp sounds of the paper rustling. It’s a total sensory experience, and those sensations are some of the pleasures of letter writing.

Letter Writing Tools

Currently, my stationery wardrobe features two main pieces:

Henley Monogram Wardrobe. Mine is embossed on ivory paper with opal linings inside the envelopes. It’s a classic combination and has the added benefit of being compostable and eco-friendly. I love the traditional letter sheets, enclosures (which I can use for just about any occasion) and folded notes. It’s such a treat to open my box and decide which paper to pull out.

Luna Card. I just received this stationery in the mail, and what a pleasure it was to open! The Luna Card features a beautiful new lettering style, which I ordered in silver raised ink on crisp white paper. It’s so pretty and feminine, but with a modern take, so it doesn’t feel old-fashioned.

So as you go through your contacts and decide whom to write during Letter Writing Week, put some thought into how the paper feels between your fingers, how the design enhances your experience. And if you feel the need to order new stationery, we have a wonderful selection of notes, cards and letter sheets, as well as new stationery to try.

No matter the occasion, personalized stationery is a gift that’s always in style. Why? Simply put, it’s thoughtful and useful. When someone opens a box of custom cards, notes or notepads, he or she gains a tool for correspondence with a little luxury, to boot.

Whether you’re shopping for birthday, graduation, wedding, anniversary, hostess or some other sort of gifts, you can’t go wrong with this choice. To demonstrate that even further, here are five reasons why personalized stationery is always the perfect choice:

1. It’s unique

Because they feature a person’s name, monogram or messaging, no two personalized stationery gifts are alike. That’s why custom notecards are a one-of-a-kind present. You won’t worry that the recipient gets duplicates. Personalized paper or notecards won’t get lost in the shuffle. Each set is as unique as the person who receives it.

2. It’s thoughtful

When designing personalized stationery for a loved one, you communicate that the person matters to you. How? By creating personalized paper, you not only took time and energy to choose a style, but you also input the recipient’s name or monogram. It shows you care.

3. It’s economical

The age-old saying that “it’s the thought that counts” rings true with personalized stationery gifts. They’re proof that you don’t have to spend a bundle to provide someone with a meaningful present. Opening custom-made stationery is always a treat — regardless of its cost.

4. It’s memorable

Unlike many generic gifts, custom-designed stationery makes a meaningful impression. It’s not a mass-produced product, but rather a gift tailored to the recipient. That’s why, for as long as the paper lasts, your recipient is sure to think of you. With every handwritten note, he or she has a fresh reminder of your care. Custom-made stationery is hard to forget.

5. It’s sure to delight

Last but not least, getting a custom gift is fun. Who wouldn’t love to open a box of personalized notecards or papers, knowing they were designed with you in mind? When you surprise someone with custom stationery, the gift recipient will cherish it for a long time. Personalized notes are something special in a world of digital interaction.

From business colleagues to family members, everyone appreciates being thought of with a personalized gift. To learn more about our tailored stationery options at Giftsin24, browse our website. Think about your recipient’s style and find a design that matches it beautifully. From elegant monograms to colorful borders, we have a wide range of options. Place your order today!

Stationary vs. Stationery — which one is it?

As the saying goes, you say to-may-to, I say to-mah-to. A single word may have different pronunciations, depending on regional dialects or traditions. There’s another category of words, such as stationery and stationary, which sound identical, but have vastly different meanings. They are what grammarians call homophones: new and knew; sweet and suite; sole and soul.

‘E’ for Envelope

Needless to say, many people confuse the two words when writing. Here’s one way to remember: the stationery we use to write a letter has an “e,” for the envelope in which we send it off.

‘E’ for Enlivening Environment

When we write on stationery with an “e,” it’s usually done from a stationary position with an “a.” Walking and talking usually works (unless you’re on a cell phone, crossing a busy street), but walking and writing? Not so much. Find a comfortable chair and writing surface… maybe a desk or table by a sunny window, or in your garden, seated under a shady tree, and allow the thoughts to flow.

‘E’ for Expressive Energy

Our hands are decidedly not stationary with an “a” when we write on stationery with an “e.” Grasping a pen to achieve legible penmanship takes finger dexterity and a certain amount of wrist action. Use a pen with ink that flows easily but doesn’t smudge. Perhaps employ your free hand to sip your favorite iced latte or lemonade. And, of course, by all means, employ your wit and creativity to express your heartfelt and innermost thoughts.

‘E’ for Envoy

After you’ve finished writing on your stationery with an “e,” and you’ve stamped and addressed it, you’ll want it to not remain stationary with an “a” on your desk. Like an emissary or envoy, the post office will transport your missive to your recipient, whether it’s across town or around the globe.

‘E’ for Explore 

Finally, explore collections of stationery cards, notes and letter sheets at Giftsin24.com. You’ll find a range of styles and sizes for every use.

So there you have it. The difference between stationery and stationary comes down to the “e”…whether it’s envelope, environment, energy, envoy or explore, that little letter infuses meaning into one of our favorite words.

Correspondence or flat card

You would never walk out of the house without at least a quick thought to your appearance. The same goes for sending correspondence out into the world. The best and easiest way to be sure your messages make your best impression is to create a social stationery wardrobe.

Build a social stationery wardrobe with pieces that you love. After all, just like your clothing wardrobe, your stationery represents you in the world, so you should feel proud of the way it fits your unique style. And remember, quality stationery stands the test of time. While many of your missives will be discarded, some will be kept for years, maybe decades or even centuries!

So what’s in a social stationery wardrobe? These are the basic pieces that provide the tools you need for any occasion that pops up. We recommend four must-have pieces in your stationery wardrobe:

Flat card or correspondence card

If you need to write just a couple of lines, a flat card is the perfect tool. Need to send your father-in-law the belt he left at his last visit? Slip in a flat card with a quick hello. Want to send a memorial donation in the name of a friend’s sister? Write your instructions to the charity on a flat card and include the check. Anytime you need to send a casual,  brief missive, the flat card works beautifully.

How to use: Write  your brief message on the side of the card that shows your name or monogram.

Folded note

Folded note or foldover note

A folded note is slightly more formal. It’s perfect for one of the most common social tasks we perform (or should be performing, ahem! ): the thank you note. Folded notes give plenty of space to express gratitude for a wedding, birthday, Christmas, anniversary or baby shower gift. Folded notes are also perfect for acknowledging the nice things that people do for you. It could be that referral that a client made on your behalf. Or the wonderful dinner party you got invited to.  Ask yourself: “Did someone spend time and effort to do something just for me?” Return their energy by writing a thank you note on a folded note.

And using polished and professionally made thank you notes can be rewarding in other ways: If you are on the job hunt, doing job interviews or attending sales calls, that embossed folded note could make or break a potential employer or client’s impression of you.

How to use: Start on the lower inside panel. If you need more space, move to the upper inside panel.

Letter sheet

Writing papers or letter sheets

If you are writing a message of a few paragraphs or more, use writing papers, also called letter sheets. Whether you are channeling your inner Jane Austen or simply telling your college bound daughter how much you love her, writing sheets emblazoned with your name or monogram are the perfect touch.  Accompany the paper with matching envelopes and a pretty stamp, and you will create correspondence worthy of being handed down through the ages… or at least saved for a little while.

How to use: Write on the front of the paper only. Use a blank sheet for the second page and find your best pen filled with blue or black ink.

Gift enclosure

Gift enclosures

Whether you are giving a bottle of wine for getting that big sale or offering a gift to your evening’s host, a gift enclosure is your tool. Keeping a well-stocked stash of these around will help you avoid a last-minute scramble to the drug store. A well-crafted enclosure ensures that every gift is presented beautifully.

How to use: Brevity is your friend here. Sign your name under a brief greeting: “Thank you!” “I love you” “Happy Birthday,” etc.

Assembling your social stationery wardrobe 

You can put together a beautiful stationery wardrobe using individual cards, notes , writing papers  and enclosures that you love on their own. Buying individually gives you more flexibility and design choices. You can select pieces that are on trend, traditional designs or a mix of both.

Or you can purchase a coordinating set. Giftsin24 offers a number of wardrobes and ensembles that represent terrific values. Especially if you love a particular lettering style or monogram, purchasing a wardrobe is an easy way to get what you need quickly. Here are a few of our favorites:

Henley Monogram Wardrobe. This graceful assortment of embossed papers gives you many options to fit any occasion. Featuring your beautifully embossed monogram on high quality paper. Includes choice of monogram. Each Monogram Wardrobe set includes 50 letter sheets, 50 folded notes, and 50 enclosures with 150 paper-matched envelopes. Choose a return address or hand-inserted lining to make this set complete. Supplement with the Delavan Monogram Card to complete your monogrammed, embossed wardrobe.

Cove Wardrobe. An amazing value. The Cove Wardrobe has you covered. Be prepared for all of life’s occasions with a letter sheet, folded note and gift enclosure. Beautifully embossed in a bold, pleasing lettering style. 150 pieces, total, with 150 color-matched envelopes. Choose a return address or hand-inserted lining to make this an extra special gift. Add the Corridor Card to complete the set.

Somerset Wardrobe. The Somerset Wardrobe features three sizes of single panel cards (Apex, Correspondence and Enclosure) in your choice of ink color and lettering style. Containing 150 pieces, plus 150 matching envelopes, this set will cover all your casual stationery needs. Optional hand-inserted lining and return address on the envelopes. Supplement with the Somerset Letter Sheet to complete your raised-ink wardrobe.

“A WOMAN is known by the stationery she uses. Paper talks. We read between the lines, along the margin, and across the envelope, the story of good or bad taste which speaks in tone, texture and design.” So opens A Desk Book on the Etiquette of Social Stationery published in 1910 and written by Jean Wilde Clark. What was true then, with a slight tweak, is still true today. Our stationery can speak worlds about us. What’s changed? “The Rules,” or stationery etiquette, are more relaxed: we no longer must use black-bordered mourning stationery after a loved one’s death, for example. In addition, we can all agree that men have just as much of a need for stationery, and that their stationery choices speak for them too.

What’s more, in this age of fast fashion, speed-of-light communication across the globe, what’s “In Style” changes on a dime. And that makes us lucky: there’s no need to cram our taste into rigid expectations of what’s proper or even what’s in style. Sure, white or ivory paper will always be correct. But if you want to use red pepper, who will care? Citrus paper? Be my guest. The fabulous Jackie O used robin’s egg blue paper. If she could do that in the 1960s, the sky is the limit for us in the late 2010s.

On the one hand, the lack of stylistic expectations is liberating, because it means we have the freedom to choose whatever stationery suits us. On the other hand, it can be slightly intimidating, because we’ve got almost unlimited choices.

Let it be your style.

There’s one rule to follow in 2017/2018: You be you. Don’t worry about what a friend is doing, or what you saw in a magazine.

Not sure what you like? Look at the furnishings in your home and the clothes you wear.

Do you tend toward traditional (try a 3-letter monogram), primitive country (try a quirky or hand-lettered font), or contemporary (try your name in block letters)?

Like neat, clean surfaces (look for simple lettering) or do you like to cram every nook and cranny with beloved objects (look for curvy, embellished designs)?

Do you like to follow the rules (center the personalization at the top) or do you like to push them (personalization goes in a corner or at the bottom)?

What colors do you like to surround yourself with? Pastels? Metallics? Jewel Tones? Neutrals?

Take advantage of the preview function when considering lettering styles for your name. Scrutinize the way your initials look – perhaps you like one font’s S better than another?

These are great clues to help you pull together your stationery style. In the end, whatever you choose will be perfect, because you chose it.

Business or personal?

When you’re writing a note to your pastor, the school principal, or your favorite author, you might want to consider a more formal letter sheet or correspondence card that tends toward business-like. Perhaps it’s embossed. Perhaps it’s on white paper with gray ink. Or ivory paper with coffee ink. This stationery might include your middle initial and the formal version of your first name.

It will work equally well for when you’re sending a gift to your best friend, writing to your brother, or thanking your neighbor for her homemade scones. Or, for those more personal uses, you could purchase a second set that reveals your more relaxed side. Any form — letter sheet, flat card or folded note — will do. Perhaps there is a small illustration, or your nickname, rather than your given name. You might use colored paper with black or metallic ink or a more brightly colored ink on ivory paper.

Raised ink vs. embossing?

It’s really a matter of choice. Raised-ink printing, or thermography, is a more affordable version of engraving. Engraving, a centuries-old printing method, requires the creation of dies, which are expensive to produce and reside at the stationery company until you require more stationery. Raised-ink printing conveys a pleasing texture and a shimmery quality to the ink.

Embossing lends an even more delicious texture because the paper is pressed from below. In that sense embossing resembles traditional engraving, as well. Especially on white or ivory paper, embossing tends to be more formal. It also tends to be more earth-friendly, because the paper recycles easily.

So to recap, choosing stationery can be an enjoyable and fulfilling exercise. Taking time to think about your style and consider your options will reward you each time you sit down to write. See all of our personalized  correspondence cards and folded notes. Happy choosing!

Many people enjoy using stationery. After all, it’s a pleasure to pull out a crisp new sheet and put thought to paper. But for some of us, the joys of stationery transcend ordinary pleasure. You know who we are… we are the stationery addicts.

How do you know you are one of us? Here are some common signs you are a stationery addict:

1. Your heartbeat speeds up when you spy a new monogram style you’ve never seen before.
2. When you have downtime, you use it to look for new stationery (and sometimes you look when you should be doing something else – but shhhh, it’s our secret).
3. The boxes in which you keep your stationery are almost as pretty as your stationery, and definitely prettier than the containers you use for other essentials, such as food, water and clothing.

4. 

   Are you a stationery addict?

   You know stationery printing methods (embossing, thermography, letterpress, etc.) and you have at least 5 examples of each of them in your collection. Bonus points: you can define the difference between blind embossing and debossing.

5. When you feel low, you get out your stationery and admire it as you ponder whom to write.
6. You have splurged on 100% cotton paper stationery – and maybe even ate pbj sandwiches for a week to afford it.
7. When you’re in a new city, you make a point to research and visit its best stationery store.
8. You save your prettiest stationery for the people you love the most – it would be a shame to waste it!

Of course, the best and biggest sign you are a stationery addict is being a Giftsin24 customer: you can satisfy your need for a stationery fix in just a matter of minutes – and receive it at your door within a few days.

New! Pearl String Monogram Note

Feeling a craving coming on?

Check out one of our newest items: Pearl String Monogram Note. It’s a delightful riff on our Classic Monogram, but with a cool pearl strand treatment.

Or shop the whole site.

In our previous blog, we explored the ancient history of the monogram. We saw that for centuries, people used monograms widely – on everything from coins to letters to homes and pottery. But people really went crazy for the monogram during the Victorian Era (1837-1901). In fact, one writer of the day called the art of collecting monograms an “epidemic” and named the monogram’s most ardent fans “monogramaniacs.”

Our Whitlock Monogram is based on a popular Victorian motif.

What was going on? The Industrial Revolution ushered in a new middle class of factory owners, bankers, railroad managers, insurance agents, merchants and all the salaried professionals who helped run these businesses, as well as new ranks of civil servants, teachers, doctors and lawyers, according to Donna Loftus, author of “The Rise of the Victorian Middle Class.” Millions of people now had disposable income, and they desired some of the comforts of the upper classes. They began purchasing household goods as well as clothing, watches and jewelry, which the new economy had made more plentiful and affordable than ever before.

Celebrity and the Monogram

At the same time, the idea of celebrity took on power in popular culture. People began collecting crests and monograms of the rich and famous, according to Nancy Sharon Collins, author of The Complete Engraver. 

Queen Victoria’s Monogram went through many iterations. Here is a simple one.

Enthusiasts created albums of their most prized monograms, marks and seals. In this age of avid letter writing, “coats of arms or monograms from famous families, politicians, opera stars, or members of the theater were particularly coveted and displayed,” writes Collins.

Whole books explored and documented monogram design, such as An Encyclopedia of Monograms, published in 1884. The book included 5,000 decorative monograms to inspire artists and craftspeople.

Popular women’s magazines of the time, such as Godeys Lady’s Book and Peterson’s Magazine, regularly included alphabets, initials, names and monograms. Middle class readers copied them to embroider nearly every scrap of cloth – tablecloths, sheets, towels, pillowcases and clothing. “Hardly an item in her home escaped from being monogrammed,” writes Rita Weiss, editor of Victorian Alphabets, Monograms and Names. “Young girls learned how to embroider simple alphabets on the linens for her trousseau,” Weiss continues. “By the time she got married, her skills improved and she was ready for more expert work.”

Louis Vuitton company developed its monogram in 1896.

Monogrammed Needlework Attains Art Status

The expert needlework skills attained by women – at all levels of society – and the invention of the Jacquard loom, which spurred faster and cheaper textile manufacturing, coincided to create the perfect circumstances for a boom in monogrammed linens like we’ve never seen before or since, according to Robin Molbert in Monograms and Antique Linens. “Bold and artful monogramming burst into vogue, serving as a kind of democratizing factor in the personalization of one’s linens,” writes Molbert. In England, France and the U.S., women formed sewing and embroidery circles to enjoy and support one another in their endeavors. They shared ideas and perfected their art, incorporating many other aspects including lacework, cut-outs, florals, animal figures and much more.

To this day, many people still cherish, value and collect antique linens from the Victorian Age. A rather funny example: In December 2016, a pair of Queen Victoria’s monogrammed bloomers went on auction, expected to be sold for £6,000. Some famous monograms developed by the Victorians continue to be in vogue. The world of consumer goods offers a perfect example: The interlocking L and V on Louis Vuitton’s bags and luggage. His son Georges designed the iconic image in 1896 to increase sales.

And the practice of monogramming continues to be popular. Whether it’s stationery or wine glasses, ornaments or napkins, personalizing one’s possessions conveys tradition and a sense of pride.

Our story about the monogram isn’t over. Next we ask: what exactly is a monogram?

Explore our lines of monogrammed Cards, Notes, Notepads, Napkins & Guest Towels, and all Monogrammed Items.

Sources:

Nancy Sharon Collins. The Complete Engraver: Monograms, Crests, Ciphers, Seals, and the Etiquette of Social Stationery. Princeton Architectural Press, 2012. 

Donna Loftus. “The Rise of the Victorian Middle Class.”   BBC History. Website.

Robin Molbert. “The Royal Lineage of Table Linens.” Monograms and Antique Linens. HM Books, 2016.

J. O’Kane. An Encyclopedia of Monograms. Originally published in 1884. Reprinted by Dover Publishing in 2003.

Rita Weiss, editor.Victorian Alphabets, Monograms and Names. Dover Publishing, 1974.

Here’s our Classic Monogram engraved on a cork coaster.

Here at Giftsin24, we are completely and utterly ga-ga over typography. It’s really our first love. We offer so many different lettering styles and monograms just so you can find one that perfectly expresses your personal style.

Yes, we completely enjoy the creamy, dreamy, thick paper we use. And yes, we can’t get enough of our shimmery raised inks and foil colors. And yes, we “lurve” embossing, which is, ahem, half the name of our brand of stationery, Embossed Graphics.

But typography is where it all begins. For us, typography is really all about an essential attitude. It’s about personality. It’s about STYLE.

Express Your Personal Style with Typography

If you select Dune, a bold lettering style, for your stationery, you are telling others you have the courage of your convictions. You’re a risk-taker who doesn’t back down.

If you select our Classic lettering style– best represented by our Classic Monogram — maybe you love history and custom and see yourself as part of a long tradition of manners and community and fellow-feeling.

If you select Anthony, a casual hand-lettered font, you signal a fun-loving attitude and that you’re not too invested in “the rules.”

See what we mean? Typography expresses the un-erasable part of you, the area of your psyche that can’t be denied or squished into someone else’s idea of what’s “cool.” It’s your personal style.

Not caring about typography is like not caring about the clothes you wear or the food you eat. Crazy, right? Yes, you could walk around day after day in a white t-shirt and khaki pants and eat plain pasta 3 squares a day. But where would that get you in life? And perhaps the more important question is: would life be any fun?

So the next time you select personalized stationery, pay attention to your gut reaction to each lettering style and select the one that really speaks to you. Don’t worry about what’s popular or what that next guy or gal chose. Typography is all about you.

That’s why we offer so many options– many of them exclusively created by Embossed Graphics. We know that secret, inner you is just dying to announce herself through an expression of personal style.

This commemorative Elvis stamp was issued by United States Postal Service in 2015.

Grab your “Blue Suede Shoes”: Thousands of people are celebrating Elvis Week in Memphis August 8-16. Can’t make it? All fans of “The King” can demonstrate their “Burning Love”by getting the new Elvis Presley Forever(R) stamp. The United States Postal Service (USPS) will issue it on Wednesday, August 12, 2015, with a dedication ceremony at Graceland.

Whether you’re sending our stationery to the “Heartbreak Hotel,” a “Hound Dog” or the”Devil in Disguise,” rest assured your letter will arrive with the Elvis Forever stamp.

Elvis Stamp Works for All Giftsin24 Stationery

Our cards and notes weigh about one ounce, which fits within the USPS maximum dimensions for standard first class postage. That includes our line of oversized Chesapeake cards, as well as luxury triple-thick notes.

Purchasing USPS Forever stamps ensures you can easily send a card or note anytime. You won’t have to worry about the current value of stamps or changing postage costs in the future. And “That’s All Right!”