Monogram Etiquette Part 1

Today we are going to start a series on Monogram Etiquette. We get this questions a lot and thought that the blog would be a great place to let everyone know the basics of Monogram Etiquette. For future reference, all new products will come with an instruction booklet with this information included in the booklet.

Here is a grouping of cards that were all monogrammed for the same person. In this example, Beth made a set of personalized cards to send as thank you notes.
The first card is a single monogram using Beth's first initial. This monogram was made using the Small Monogram Stamper (also formerly known as the C-30) that comes with the one letter Damask Borders, Times New Roman font in one size, the self inking stamper and double sided ink pad with black ink on one side.
In the next example, Beth used the Curlz Font Kit which comes with the Curlz font in two sizes, four borders and a wooden block. Everything in the Curlz Kit is compatible with the self inking Large Monogram Stamper (also formerly known as the C-45).
The last example is a traditional three letter monogram made using the self inking Large Monogram Stamper Kit. This kit comes with the Times New Roman font in two sizes, four borders, double sided ink pad with black ink on one side, the self inking stamper and a golden storage box with magnetic closure.

When creating a three letter monogram the order of the letters is small first name letter on the left, large last name letter in the middle and small middle name letter on the right. In this example, the monogram for Beth Therese Rodwell is BRT.

*Note* The only time the three letter monogram is in left to right order is if all the letters are the same size.

Hope this helps answer some of your questions on Monogram Etiquette. If you think of any questions leave them in the comments and they will be addressed at the end of the week.

Please note that the items used in these projects can be found on the JustRite Stampers web site under Best Sellers. And don't forget that September 1st there will be a slight price increase on these items so take advantage of the savings now.

Thanks for joining us as we build a community of education, creativity and inspiration touching on every special moment in your life. Keep us in mind....."When it needs to be JustRite".

Monogram Etiquette Part 3

Welcome back for part 3 of Monogram Etiquette. Today we are going to talk about wedding monograms. It is not proper etiquette to use your married monogram before you are actually married. Save the date cards, shower invitations, thank you notes, etc should only contain your first initials in the monogram. The items posted here are representing the bride and groom after they were married.

After the ceremony, use your married monogram on anything you wish. The reception is a great place to proudly begin displaying your new monogram on napkins, programs, table runners, menus and favors.
In this example, I have created a favor with Susan and Micheal Connor's married monogram. As I explained yesterday, ladies first when it comes to a married couple's monogram. Susan on the left, Michael on the right and Connor in the middle. This box was embossed and filled with bird seed to toss as the bride and groom exit the church. This monogram was created using the Large Round Monogram Stamper and the Curlz Kit font.
This is a mini album that was created as a wedding favor. It is filled with pictures of the couple. This time the favor was monogrammed with a single large letter "C" from the Curlz Kit and the border is from the Damask 1 Letter Border Set.
Finally, the thank you notes are made to proudly display the single monogrammed letter "C" representing the couples last name. In this example, the monogram was created using the Small Monogram Stamper Kit with Damask Borders.

I think I have covered all the questions except the most popular question. "What do you use to punch out the circles?" Tomorrow I will give you a complete run down of how I punch my circles with Nestabilities dies, SU punches, Marvy punches and The Paper Studio punches. I am on the look out for the McGill punch but can't seem to find it.

If I haven't answered your burning questions please leave a comment and I'll add it to the Q and A session tomorrow.

Thanks for joining us as we build a community of education, creativity and inspiration touching on every special moment in your life. Keep us in mind....."When it needs to be JustRite".

Monogram Questions and Answers

Thanks for following along this week with our Monogram Etiquette series. I think most of the questions were answered as each day progressed. I have posted answers to some questions below and will be posting more information regarding punches. Below I addressed the Nestabilites questions.


Sue_W said...
Thanks for the lesson in Monogram Etiquette. Lessons learned are always good. ;-)What I want to know, however, is what was used to cut out the monogrammed circles and the layered pieces? Were they punches? die cuts? Nestabilities? And what sizes were used?

Answer: On day one, Nestabilities Classic Circles and Scallops were used for the Beth and BRT card. The B card was punched with SU circle and scalloped punches.

Mary said...
Want to clear up any confusion out there on a monogram for a couple? That is, does the husband or wife's first initial go first? I have seen it done both ways, but I THINK I know that only one is "right." Thanks!

Answer: Ladies first when it comes to monogramming.

Alexis said...I would like to know what size punches you use to cut out the momogram for the C-45. Thanks!

Answer: The Large Monogram Stamper (formerly known as the C-45) measures 1 5/8" in diameter. I use the Nestabilities Circle that is the third ring on the Large Circle Set. For the mat I use the fourth circle on the Small Circle Set and for the Scallop I use the third scallop on the Large Scallop Set. Depending on how much scallop you want showing the third scallop on the Small Scallop set works too.

Above is the third ring on the Large Circles. I like to see all of my JustRite border once it is cut out so I opt to use the circle that give me enough white space around the stamped border.
Above you can see the cut layers starting left to right the third ring from the Large set, the fourth ring from the Small set and the third ring from the Large Scallop set.
Here is an example of the monogram cut and layered with the sizes I described above.

Vera Matson said...
I love your series on monogram etiquette! I have a question. I love to make monogrammed note cards for gifts. When making gifts for acquaintances such as teachers, what is the most appropriate type of monogram to use? I often don't know the middle initial of the teachers, so should I make first or last initial gift cards? Thanks!

Answer: That is a good question and also a personal judgement call for you. Either way is appropriate for stationary. So if you are making a gift for someone and don't know thier name you can decide if you want to use their first or last initial as your single monogram.

One question that did not come up was who's initial do you use when giving a monogrammed note card....your's or the recipient's? It should be your monogram on the note card that you are mailing or attaching to a gift. It is your personal stationary and you are writing inside the card so it should carry your initials on the front.

Thank you for joining us as we build a community of education, creativity and inspiration touching on every special moment in your life. Keep us in mind....."When it needs to be JustRite".

Monogram Etiquette Part 2

Welcome back for part 2 of Monogram Etiquette. Thanks for all the comments and questions. Again, if your questions aren't answered over the course of this week there will be a full Q and A on Friday to address anything that wasn't directly covered each day. So keep the questions and comments coming. When monogramming for a couple it is customary to place the first letter of the couple's last name in the middle. This should be done with the largest size font and the woman's first initial should be in a smaller font to the left and the man's first initial should in a smaller font to the right.

Just remember when it comes to monogramming....ladies first! I know this is confusing because when the letter is addressed it is Mr. and Mrs. but when it comes to monogramming.... again....ladies first.
In this example, the monogram is for Diane and William Bradley is DBW. Diane is first on the left, William is on the right and the large B for Bradley is in the middle.

This monogram was made using the Special Occasions Font Kit which comes with a wooden block for manual stamping.
If the woman keeps her maiden name and takes the man's name after marriage you would place the first letter of the man's last name in the middle and with a larger font. The letter of the woman's first name to the left and the letter of her maiden name to the right.

In this example, the monogram for Diane Smith Bradley is DBS. Diane on the left, Smith on the right and Bradley in the middle.

This monogram was made using the Special Occasions Font and the self inking Large Round Monogram Stamper. Also, I opted for no border and just letters with this monogram.

**Note** Another option is to use the single initial monogram to represent the last name of the married couple. In this case the letter B would be used to monogram the last name of the Bradley's.

All of the products used in this post can be found on the Best Seller's page of our web site http://www.justritestampers.com/

Thanks for joining us as we build a community of education, creativity and inspiration touching on every special moment in your life. Keep us in mind....."When it needs to be JustRite".