The Monogram: Breaking the Rules
We’ve talked about the importance of the monogram and its use throughout history earlier this week. It was a riveting discussion. Today, I would like to expand on that lecture and talk about the placement of letters in a monogram. Please – take a seat – class is in session. Try to stay awake long enough to read through this brief examination.
Why do we need to cover this topic? Well, the people here at Giftsin24.com, like me, would like to take the time to educate our devoted clientele. We eat and sleep stationery, people! If you haven’t already guessed, we actually think this stuff is pretty darn interesting. Use the following information wisely because your next personalized monogrammed stationery will depend on it.
It’s true – a monogram is still a monogram as long as it contains 2 or more letters. Technically, the rules have changed over the years and today you can place any letter anywhere your heart desires. Why this tutorial on the monogram then? Well, tradition plays a big role here. We have all conformed, in some way or another, to the rules of tradition and etiquette. Yup, etiquette is also a big player and it’s a stone cold opponent. Tradition and etiquette work hand and hand, providing us with the rules that we should faithfully follow. There are many factors like the expected roles of men and women and cultural differences that can be stated to further explain why a monogram is a monogram. I will save you the pain of reading that information for another post.
1. A traditional monogram consists of three initials.
2. Two or more initials uncombined, meaning they do not touch, is not a monogram. It is called a cypher.
3. You must use your first name and last name (surname) initial. Your middle name initial should be included.
4. Your last name initial is always in the middle and embellished in some way. It is usually the largest letter in a monogram.
5. Couples should pay close attention here. The male’s first name initial is always placed on the left side of the monogram. The female’s first name initial is on the right and the shared last name initial goes in the middle.
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Mary Beth
I do think monograms, whether on personalized stationery, napkins, or anywhere else, look best with three letters. Sure, it’s okay to use two sometimes, but to me it just doesn’t look quite right. It’s also interesting to learn the difference between a monogram and a cypher. Learn something new every day, right?
It makes sense that the last name initial would be the one given the most prominence, especially from a perspective of tradition. Family first, right?
21 October 2012, 10:37 amstationeryfan811
I’m surprised that I didn’t know most of the “rules” about monograms on personalized stationery or other materials. I can see why three letter monograms are the traditional style, though I think two letters work just as well in most cases.
Is there some reason why the placement of male and female initials in a monogram is important? I get why the surname goes in the middle, but why is it important that the man’s initial goes on the left and the woman’s on the right?
21 October 2012, 11:40 amRay Williams
I think it’s good that monograms can be made with just two letters now. After all, not everybody has a middle name, and how else would those people be able to get monogrammed stationery or napkins?
I think the traditional rule that monograms have to be three letters comes from a time when most everyone got a middle name through church, and since that’s not the case anymore the rule needed to go.
I hadn’t really thought of couples’ monograms before. I think that’s pretty cool, but I have to echo the question about why it’s important whose initials go on the left and right side? And what if you don’t have the same last name or initial?
21 October 2012, 7:37 pmPaulette Leto
This is one of the things I love about this site. Instead of just constantly plugging your (admittedly awesome) personalized stationery products, you have interesting blogs on topics like the history of the monogram, or today’s on the rules and etiquette of monograms. It’s fascinating to read these kinds of things. Although I do enjoy the occasional plug for personalized notepads and so on, since it helps me discover new products I haven’t gotten before.
22 October 2012, 12:15 amHenry B Springs
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” The landscape is like being there with a powerful personality and I’m searching for just the right angles to make that portrait come across as meaningfully as possible. ” I think it works the same for a personalized monogram in a Personalized Note or Card.
22 October 2012, 7:41 am