Your Personal Stationery Collection

Like the clothes you wear or the interior design of your home, your personal stationery makes a statement about who you are. After all, it’s the little details that help us stand out as individuals.

As such, when you create and assemble your stationery wardrobe, keep in mind the impression you hope to make. Your stationery should reflect both your personality and the type of message you’re sending.

It’s easier than it might sound. As you make your choices, rule number one is to be honest about your own character and style – the essence of what makes you unique. Keep this in mind as you select your items and you’re sure to make excellent decisions.

Read on for the complete guide to creating your own personal stationery collection.

Personal Stationery Essentials

There’s a huge spectrum of bespoke, handcrafted stationery on offer to help you express yourself. From personalized notecards to desk accessories and pens, a kaleidoscope of patterns, textures, colors and styles are available to choose from.

However, there are some stationery items which always stand the test of time. Whether you need to send a casual note to a friend, an important message, or a formal response to an invitation, keeping these essentials in your home or office will mean you’re always ready to get in touch in a way that’s authentic, direct and heartfelt.

Folded Notes

For thank you notes, informal invitations and short messages, look no further than folded notes. Historically, notes were a woman’s stationery of choice, but they also make a perfect choice for couples or children’s stationery.
Add your monogram or name in a style that really chimes with your personality to make your folded notes truly special. Likewise, coloring can help you strike a pose before your recipient even starts reading – go for a bright, bold color like red or on-trend purple for a happy announcement, or a playful animal design for a child.

Where to write?

If the imprint is at the top of the folded note, begin your message on page one; if it’s in the center of the note, the entire message should be written on page three, and pages two and four are not usually used, however it’s perfectly acceptable to use page four if you find yourself writing more / a longer message than anticipated. Remember, folded notes need to be short and (hopefully) sweet – if you need more space use a different type of stationery, perhaps a half sheet.

Correspondence Cards

If you’re looking to write a thank you message or a note that’s both classy and casual, reach for a correspondence card. Traditionally a more masculine choice, these are increasingly becoming a gender neutral choice, perfect for him, her, couples stationery, or house stationery.

These flat, heavy cards usually measure 4 ¼ x 6 ½ inches and are mailed in matching envelopes.  Adding a coordinating envelope liner can enhance your design choice and ensure your message stands out all the more. Even more so than your other messages, correspondence cards are ideal for expressing your mood – try a raspberry hue with a candy striped envelope liner for a bubbly exchange, or to make a truly eye catching impression.

A name or a small monogram can be added to the top of your cards. Write only on the front – never the back, and have some fun while you’re at it!

Couple’s Stationery

A delightful gift for newlyweds or a longstanding pair, couple’s stationery can feature either the couple’s names or a monogram. Whether as a correspondence card or folded note, this is the ideal choice for sending thank yous after events you’ve both attended or sending best wishes to friends and family at key moments.

Of course, each half of a couple often has their own distinct styles – and part of the fun when choosing joint stationery, as with a relationship, is trying to find the middle ground! Think about what sort of impression you want to make as a couple. An embossed monogram makes a strong, classic statement, while a letterpress design is altogether more relaxed and cheerful.

Remember, this personal stationery is separate from your business identity. If you’re looking to build up a business stationery collection please browse our guide to a complete professional stationery wardrobe.

Half Sheets

Half sheets are single sheets of stationery that fold in half to fit their envelopes. To add a personal twist, they can be engraved or printed with your monogram, name and address.

Half sheets are ideal for short letter writing. In the age of social media and email, there’s something special about receiving a handwritten message from a friend and loved one, and this is just the medium for it. Choose a classic white or ecru half sheet for a formal letter, or a distinctive patterned interior or blue tone for a more intimate message.

Write only on the front of a half sheet, never the back. If you need more space, use blank second sheets.

Monarch Sheets

Monarch sheets are used for longer personal letters and for personal business letters. They measure 7 ¼ x 10 ½ inches and fold into thirds to fit their envelopes. A name, address, or name and address appear at the top of the sheet, so your contact knows just who’s reaching out.

Rediscover how therapeutic and fulfilling composing your thoughts onto paper can be with a longform letter, and show someone you’re close to just how much they mean to you in the process.

Like half sheets, write only on the front of the sheet, never the back, and use blank second sheets if you run out of space.

Paper and Printing

Once you’ve pinned down the types of stationery you need, it’s time to get into the fine-tuning.

Your choice of paper and printing method can make a huge difference to the overall look and feel of your correspondence. What’s more, it doesn’t need to be a technical nightmare to consider – just take a look at our handy connoisseur’s guide below.

Wood or Cotton?

Generally, we associate paper with trees and their wood, but the finest paper is actually made from cotton – Crane’s specialty.

The main difference is perhaps found in how cotton paper feels to the touch. Run your fingers over a cotton wedding invitation, and you’ll be instantly struck by the soft, luxurious and rich texture – truly a special detail that will strike anyone with an eye for detail.

When it comes to green credentials, cotton also wins the day. All Crane’s papers are made from 100% recovered cotton fibers, made using fewer chemicals and producing less waste. Choosing cotton-based paper also supports the pushback against deforestation.

Finally, unlike papers made from wood pulp, cotton papers don’t decompose. That means your personal correspondence will last a lifetime – only fitting for the connections that truly matter.

For a distinctive, sustainable paper choice that will make your letters unforgettable, cotton is hard to beat.

Picking the Perfect Print

Finally, the printing process for your personal stationery can’t be overlooked – there are several options to choose from.

For a style that oozes old-world charm and delicate craftsmanship, choose engraved stationery. Combined with the gorgeous texture of cotton paper, an engraved monogram or letterhead presents the reader with a timeless statement.

The soft strength of the cotton paper impeccably absorbs the deep three-dimensional engraving impressions. The engraving plate used to create your personalized stationery will be sent to you along with your order, and when you need to resupply, simply send it back to us and we can use it to reprint, keeping you stocked with your signature statement-making stationery for years to come.

For a more relaxed, modern style, consider This style screams casual, fun and current, with screen printing and letterpress techniques all the rage with artists and creatives. Like engraving, letterpress pairs perfectly with the soft nature of cotton paper. As the name suggests, the ink on your letterhead will literally be pressed into place by a letterpress plate, leaving a deep impression on the paper and on those who receive it.

Finally, thermography may be the choice for you if you don’t want to splash out on engraving. This technique uses a powder to find a balance between the elegance of engraving and more modern styles – resulting in some options.

If you’re still interested in learning more about the various printing processes available, click here.