Monogram Etiquette 101: The Basics

Monogramming is a time-honored tradition that has been around for centuries. From clothing to leather handbags to home decor, adding a personal touch with monogramming can take any item to the next level.

 

Like anything personalized, there are certain guidelines that can be followed to ensure that your monogram is done correctly and matches your expectations. The wrong placement or font can detract from the overall look of the item.

 

For Leatherology, personalization is at the heart of what we do because we believe everyone deserves a touch of luxury that expresses who they are. We chose monogrammed leather because of its elevated look and every style we offer can be personalized one or more of our specialized techniques. Our monogram generator allows you to preview your monogram and determine the best combination of lettering, color, font, size, and method that works for your personal style.

 

In this series, we'll cover all the basics, explore monogramming etiquette 101, discover some of the most popular types of monograms, and provide tips on how to create your personalized masterpiece.

What Is A Monogram?

With long history as a status symbol for the wealthy and royalty, a monogram is traditionally made up of a person’s initials and used to personalize items to declare ownership. Monogramming is the application of an appealing design using a person's initials to a product through the use of methods like embroidery, debossing, or other printing techniques.

 

We offer debossed, painted, or Trapunto monogramming on select styles at Leatherology. While monograms can come in a variety of letter orders (first, middle, last; first, last, middle, etc.), we are pleased to apply your initials in the exact order that you prefer when you enter them into our monogram previewer.

 

Today, monogramming is a popular way to add a personal touch or branded identity to clothing, linens, accessories, and more. You can use your own name or a combination of initials to express your personal identity and style. For businesses, the monogram logo of the corporation can build brand identity and confidence in client relationships.

 

What Is Personalization?

Personalization is the process of designing or producing something to meet someone's individual requirements. For example, when you order a birthday cake, you choose the flavors, fillings, icing colors, and exterior decorations. This represents a variety of choices, and each selection is meaningful to you. Choosing a monogram is a popular type of personalization and there are endless opportunities with colors, text, and fonts to discover a meaningful monogram style for you.

 

 

Why Should I Get a Monogram?

This type of personalization is a great way to show personal style and self-expression. Your name is one of many identifiers that makes you unique. Many people also associate certain words and phrases with significant moments in their lives. It can commemorate and celebrate all the experiences and characteristics that make up your personality.

 

From family names to your wedding date, you can select letters or words to monogram moments for an immensely personal keepsake. They also make an excellent addition to personalized gifts. During anniversaries or even housewarming parties, monogrammed gifts allow you to display your thoughtfulness and affection for the recipient.

Monogram Etiquette: Which Initials Should I Use?

Before getting into the nuances of monogram etiquette, it is important to understand the basics. There are two main types of monograms: traditional and modern or contemporary.

 

Traditional monogramming uses the person's first, middle, and last initial with classic methods like deboss, emboss, embroidery, or engraving. The standard three-letter monogram order places a larger last name initial in the center, with the first and middle initials in the same but smaller font, one on either side. Therefore, the monogram letters for Fannie Lou Hamer would be FLH, or more accurately FHL, with the H larger in the center.

 

Of course finding the right combination of initials is less straightforward when you introduce more names. A common issue is the double barrel name, meaning you typically have two first names or two last names meant to be used in conjunction with each other.

 

Monogram Ideas for Double Barrel or Hyphenated Names

In the case of a compound double name like AnnaLee Coraline Smith, two middle names, or even a hyphenated last name like Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, you can make the choice of which letters to use. “AnnaLee” could simply use the letter “A” to represent her first name or, if she wanted to include the “Lee”, then “ALCS” would be her monogram.

A four-letter monogram may require a little more arrangement and simpler fonts for legibility. A circular design is often recommended with, in the case of a hyphenation, the last name initials being stretched and the first and middle initials curving inward on either side.

 

You could also consider a diamond arrangement where the first and last initials are larger and stacked on top of each other and the two smaller middle initials on the sides. Some monogram creators, like our own deboss personalization options, allow you to keep the hyphenation in your initials.

 

Monogram Ideas for Married Couples

Keeping the hyphen may be especially important when you marry. A married couple’s initials would be comprised of several decisions. Once you are married, monogramming an item like a joint duffle bag or luggage for travel should use whatever initials you have decided on with your spouse.

 

The simplest joining would be a woman, let’s call her Claire, changing from her maiden name to her husband Daryl’s last name of Johnson. Their initials would be traditionally CJD, which combines the small initials of their first names and the large initial of Daryl’s last name to create this couple’s monogram.

You could also indicate matrimony with a plus sign or dot between each spouse’s last name. Therefore, if Claire’s maiden name was Michaels, then M+J would be their monogram.

Modern monogramming can be simpler but also more flexible and creative. Contemporary monogram initials might only use one or two same-size letters for your first and last name, use a different order for the initials, or a different font style or method, like our Hand Paint monograms or the raised stitching of our Trapunto personalization.

 

Monogram Placement Ideas

The placement of a monogram can vary depending on the item being monogrammed. For example, on clothing, it is typically placed on the chest, sleeve, or cuff for both men and women. On towels or linens, a simple monogram is usually placed in the corner.

For accessories like our many of own leather goods, placement is determine by the type of personalization and the item's design. We offer several placement options for styles like our men's wallets and leather portfolios. Although the norm is to show your initials on the exterior corner or centered on an item, we found that some people enjoy the more modest look of an interior placement.

Monogram Types and Methods

There are many fonts, colors, and methods for monogramming. There is a preferred method, depending on the material or use of the personalized item. Some traditional monogram techniques include deboss, emboss, engraving, or etching.

 

Emboss vs. Deboss

Debossing and embossing are similar techniques that create a raised or recessed design on a surface. Debossing involves pressing the design into the surface of the material, creating a depressed or indented area, while embossing involves raising the design above the surface of the material. Both debossed and embossed monograms look best with simpler letters or logos. More complex and intricate designs may not be as visible or legible unless you use another method, such as engraving or etching.

 

What Is Debossing?

Debossing is a process that involves creating a die or stamp with the desired design, and then pressing the heated brass die down into the material using a hydraulic press for a stamped effect. The result is a clean, subtle design that has a tactile feel. Debossing is popular with paper products, like invitations or stationery, and many of our leather goods, such as our popular wallets or journals.

 

We offer three distinct monogram fonts for deboss in four sizes alongside four foil colors to highlight and elevate your initials. Foil debossing simply means a sheet of very thin metal or color is inserting between the brass stamp and the material before being pressed so the letters are stamped in the selected color.

 

A classic deboss monogram might use our small serif with our 22-karat gold foil, while a more contemporary monogram might try our large and strong outline of our Block deboss in sleek silver foil. A blind deboss is more subtle and straightforward, using no colored insert, just a simply press and go.

What Is Embossing?

The embossing process also uses a die or stamp with the desired design, but the hydraulic press pushes up into the material. This results in a raised design that adds texture and dimension to the item. While embossing is often used on the same products as debossed monograms, such as business cards or leather goods like belts or handbags, here at Leatherology we prefer to deboss all our leather accessories. This way the personalization is less subject to general wear when it is pressed in rather than pressed up and will last longer.

 

What Is Engraving?

Engraving involves cutting the design into the surface of the material using a sharp tool, such as a diamond-tipped cutter. It is best used on metal items, such as jewelry, watches, pens, or trophies. An engraved monogram will be clean but may not offer the same texture and feel as the deboss or emboss technique. A monogram maker could use a computerized machine or engrave items by hand, which is more time consuming and expensive but allows for more precision and detailed designs.

 

What Is Etching?

The etching is a method uses a chemical or laser to remove the surface layer of the material, creating a design that is recessed into the surface. Chemical etching involves applying an acidic solution to the surface of the material, which removes the surface layer and creates the desired design. Laser etching is a more modern method to burn away the surface layer of a material for the monogram.

 

Chemical etching is more commonly used on metals like silver, copper, or brass, such as the back of a necklace or watch, or on crystal like a plaque for an award. Laser etching can be used on metal, glass, or acrylic. It can create very fine and detailed designs and is particularly useful for creating monograms with intricate patterns or small text like quotes or complex logos with shading. Both techniques create etched monogram designs that are durable and long-lasting, and will not wear off over time.

 

What Is Hand Painted Personalization?

A hand painted monogram allows for more colors and variety of fonts and design through careful painting techniques. At Leatherology, our in-house artisans will apply your letters by hand, up to eight layers of paint, to over 70 of our styles. Along with multiple coats of paint, we use a special paint formula made especially so it flexes with the leather once it dries. This creates a durable and long-lasting monogram that can move with your product and won’t crack or flake as you use it daily.

We allow both a main font color and a shadow font color for more impact. Recently, we added seven new colors in bright hues to refresh your wardrobe. Like our deboss foil colors, the choice is yours. You could choose to do classic white and black or the vividly rosy pink of Salmon and glowing jewel tone of Turquoise. With 14 colors in total to choose from, the possibilities are endless. Color combinations can be a simple as a pleasing arrangement to nostalgic colors from school or Greek organizations.

 

What Is Trapunto?

Trapunto is our personalization method for quilting your initials into our product. Think of it as a distant cousin to embroidered monograms. Trapunto has a rich history as a traditional bespoke European technique. It creates a unique effect of large, raised lettering that is then stitched into place on the leather.

Our Trapunto monogram technique is a made-to-order, personalization-first method, meaning we create your monogram first before moving on to finish the sewing and construction of the rest of the piece for a custom-made product.

 

Our next post will cover some more tips and ideas for monogramming and personalization occasions. Now that you are aware of some of the most popular monogramming options and ways to arrange your initials, you can begin to discover the right monogram personalization to express yourself, your memories, and your style.