Ideas for Personalized Stationery

[Blade Runner]

I'm planning to order some personalized stationery, and have an idea of what i want, but would be interested in what you would want. Women are welcome to participate of course. To keep things simple, let us stick to just unfolded letter sheets and envelopes. Some criteria to consider:

 

1. what you would put on your sheets - name, initials, monogram, family crest, symbol, and what you would put on your envelope flap.

2. imprint method - engraving, thermography, letter press, blind embossing.

3. paper type, size, color, watermarked or not.

4. matching paper and envelope or different colors.

5. ink color(s).

6. font and font size.

7. position of lettering - typically centered near top margin and centered on envelope flap, but can be postioned in different areas.

8. envelope liner; colors, patterns.

 

Regards,

Jeen

Edited February 6, 2006 by jeen

[Slush99]

1. Initial

2. I'm not sure

3. Ivory, 4 x 5.5

4. matching paper and envelope

5. Violet?

6. Chancery I'd keep it reasonalbly small

7. Top left corner on the letter paper, on the envelope, I'd put it on the flap

8. Anything except polka dots

[acfrery]

Funny thing, I toyed with this very idea yesterday. I made some trials on my laserjet printer, but nothing too satisfactory. I like very much medieval themes, so I used black-and-white pictures I found on the Web to produce stationary (attached is the first page and subsequent ones) and envelopes (front and back, with my initials).

 

I printed the stationary in laserjet white paper 90 gr/m2, and the result is nice.

 

I hope I'll improve...

Edited February 6, 2006 by acfrery

[Tricia]

Several years ago Levenger's offered engraved monarch stationery with one's name calligraphied by Michael Sull using Spencerian script. Those are my absolute favorite and since they're engraved, I have the plate so can have new ones made when I need them.

 

There's only my name on the sheets, so I just add my address, etc., after my signature. The envelopes have my name and address (regular type - garamond, I think) engraved on the flap. All with gray ink on ecru paper.

 

I keep meaning to get letter-sized paper made up with the script, but it's darn hard to find places that do engraving any more.

 

If I didn't want the expense of engraving, I would use a calligraphy font/typeface for my name with the other information in a more 'normal' typeface. (Most likely garamond or galliard, the latter has a beautiful italic, imo.) Printed up with a laser printer on nice paper can be very nice. (I think acfrery is on to something. )

 

If I was lucky enough to know a calligrapher personally, I would most definitely have her/him create a letterhead for me. Beautiful and unique.

 

I should mention that I find myself reaching for my correspondence cards (printed with my name and address) more often than not for business-like notes. Perhaps one of those sets that I've seen offered would be a nice way to cover all your bases?

[Blade Runner]

It's amazing what can be done with a computer and a good printer. Thanks for the interesting images Alejandro.

 

Tricia, I also favor engraved stationery for the great detail it can provide and because the plate can be used repeatedly.

I really like the look of letter press too, but at Crane and Co. for instance, they keep clients' configurations for only 3 months. After that, you have to pay to have your configuration set up again.

 

Regards,

Jeen

[Slush99]

very interesting, acfery! maybe I should try it....

[memphislawyer]

how do you get the plate? pay extra?

 

sam

[Blade Runner]

Sam,

 

The cost of the plate is included in your first order.

Subsequent orders would just be for the printing unless you want a different plate made of course.

 

J

[Guest Denis Richard]

Here is one stationery I made that I print on ivory paper.

[acfrery]

Here is one stationery I made that I print on ivory paper.

Amazing! Congratulations!

[saintsimon]

Here is one stationery I made that I print on ivory paper.

Wasn't that from another 'turn of the century'?

A lill' bit Art Nouveau-minded, that Frenchman

 

Reminds me, that I allways wanted to own a real Art Nouveau-house in Brussels *sigh*

[Centurion]

I'd definitely go engraved. Crane is having a die sale now until end of Feb. I would go either Monarch size or Stoneleigh (about an inch shorter than Monarch). I suppose I prefer Monarch since it's a bit longer and more of a standard size. Traditionally, Monarch is for men, while half sheets are for women. I like the artistry of a monogram, especially for social stationery. You could also just get a motif. Having your name spelled out gives it more of a business look, IMO. On the flap I would have my return address there, also engraved. Having envelopes lined looks good and makes the envelope "private." Nobody can hold the envelope a light and read/see the contents, but it adds to the cost and also it adds bulk to the envelope. I think with say, a fold-over note I would have lined envelopes, since the lining gives it a more greeting card look to it, while with monarch sheets for letter writing I would go with unlined.

[Guest Denis Richard]

Thanks Alejandro and SaintSimon. Let me precise that I did not draw the motif. I took a pattern from somewhere else, cut some parts, digitally modified... et voila

 

IMHO, Art Nouveau has never been matched. Of course I may have been traumatized by the huge library that seats in my grand-parents living room, that they got for a song at a flea market in the 60's. It's a signed Louis Majorelle piece.

[Blade Runner]

Denis,

Thanks for showing the beautiful Art Nouveau. You've given me some ideas.

 

Centurion,

Thanks for your ideas.

I hope to take advantage of the Crane's sale. Unfortunately it applies only to social stationery, and Monarch (my favorite size) is classified as business.

 

I also enjoy Kent size, so I'll probably go with that.

Kent size, 6 3/8 x 8 1/2 inch (unfolded measurement) , is smaller than the Monarch, but the advantage of Kent size is that one can enclose 4 inch wide photos, unlike the slightly narrower Monarch. That's actually not a minor consideration.

 

Regards,

Jeen

[Centurion]

oh i think it does apply to monarch size because i just ordered some via the sale. kent size is intriguing though, so you just fold it once and put in the envelope?

 

will you go with a monogram, motif, or your name? if name what type font will you use?

[Kelly]

Here is one stationery I made that I print on ivory paper.

Good grief, Denis. If you ever manufactured that, I'd buy it all up! I love it. I'm such a sucker for Art Nouveau and this is just beautiful. Excellent work

[Blade Runner]

Centurion,

 

I was told by my Crane's shop that Monarch was business, so if you tell me where you placed your order, perhaps I can convince them otherwise.

 

Yes, Kent is once folded.

I will continue this discussion and try to answer your other questions after dinner.

 

Regards,

Jeen

[Blade Runner]

Centurion,

Well now that Monarch is a possibility, my original plans may be scrubbed.

Whichever paper I use, I will use the engraving method, have my name spelled out and centered near the top margin and my address centered on the envelope flap.

I would use initials or a monogram on a small folded note or card, but prefer to spell out my name on a full sheet.

I need to peruse the books for the font and font size, but want something simple and clear.

The color of the printing will depend of course on the paper color.

For Monarch I use natural white and ecru. For Kent I'm partial to azure and ecru.

 

 

Regards,

J

 

Edit: Is the monarch you ordered 32lb kid finish?

Edited February 11, 2006 by jeen

[Centurion]

Centurion,

Well now that Monarch is a possibility, my original plans may be scrubbed.

Whichever paper I use, I will use the engraving method, have my name spelled out and centered near the top margin and my address centered on the envelope flap.

I would use initials or a monogram on a small folded note or card, but prefer to spell out my name on a full sheet.

I need to peruse the books for the font and font size, but want something simple and clear.

The color of the printing will depend of course on the paper color.

For Monarch I use natural white and ecru. For Kent I'm partial to azure and ecru.

 

 

Regards,

J

 

Edit: Is the monarch you ordered 32lb kid finish?

Don't know if it's 32 lb. I am guessing that the standard weight, or if not 32 then 24??

 

When you're at the Crane store check out Bickham script, Society script, and Rosemary. Which do you think is best?

[Blade Runner]

Centurion,

 

I won't be able to get to my Crane's shop until next week, but I'll look at them.

They have a computer program that allows you to see your configuration in the font choices.

I highly recommend using it.

Some fonts definitely look better than others depending on the spelling of your name despite how similar they look in the books, because each font has unique characteristics such relative letter size, letter angle and spacing. It is a fascinating subject.

 

What color paper and envelopes and what color printing are you considering?

 

J