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Southern Living
As Southerners, we often pull out our stationery set for special events like weddings, baby showers, or birthdays—but who says stationery can only be used during life’s big moments? Everyday events can be made even sweeter when you use personalized stationery. “Sweet notes can accompany a home cooked meal for someone who is sick or a fun note in your child's lunchbox,” says Laurie Montgomery, owner of stationery and design company Fanciful Ink. “[Personalized stationery is] a collection of life moments that are made a little more special when you can look back on them years later."
To find the best personalized stationery on the market, we spent hours evaluating different stationery based on design, variety, size, and more. In addition to Montgomery, we also spoke with Troy Solarek of Nashville’s The Dotted Line, a paperie boutique specializing in stationery, to learn how to find the best personalized stationery for every style and budget.
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The classic design and generous size make these cards useful for a variety of occasions.
Envelope liners and return address printing cost extra.
This classic note card set is sure to appeal to a variety of styles and will come in handy whether you’re writing a quick thank you note or sending an update to long-distance friends and family. It features a simple design: Each flat card has a solid border with space for a name or a phrase at the top and an address at the bottom The solid border and the backing are available in 10 different colors, and you can choose from a list of 19 fonts and 43 font colors. For business needs, you can fill out this form to add logos and branding to your Papier products. These cards are also generously sized, and the design doesn’t take up much space on the card, so there’s room to write lengthier notes.
Papier also includes free envelope recipient addressing for all orders. White envelopes are included with the set, and you can even upgrade to include envelope liners and a printed return address. And if you’re looking to send the stationery as a gift, a stationery box is available for purchase, too.
Quantity: 10-250 | Size: 5 x 7 inches | Orientation: Landscape
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The premium cardstock makes these affordable cards feel expensive.
There is only one font option.
When looking for budget stationery, Troy Solarek of Nashville’s The Dotted Line, a paperie boutique specializing in stationery, says to look for a flat-printed design on nice paper. The Curio Press Simplicity Flat Cards are made from premium, 110-pound cardstock paper (which is thicker than average for note cards) and include up to two lines of personalized text. There are 25 font colors and envelope colors to fit every style and aesthetic. And for those who like to shop small, these cards are handmade in St. Louis by a female-owned and operated family business.
The cards come in a 4.3- x 5.5-inch size and the standard 5- x 7-inch size. Each card comes with an envelope, and you have the option to upgrade to include a printed return address. The company’s small logo is printed on the back of the note cards, but you can request to have it removed if you prefer. Just note that this particular card set only comes with one font option (although Curio Press offers more fonts in its line of products).
Quantity: 12-200 | Size: 4.3 x 5.5 inches or 5 x 7 inches | Orientation: Landscape
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The letterpress monogram and thick paper give these note cards a luxurious look and feel.
You have to pay extra for the envelope liner and return address printing.
The HautePapier note cards come printed on ultra-thick, 110-pound paper and feature a letterpress monogram. But should you want all the bells and whistles, you have the option to add the stunning watercolor envelope liner as well as a printed return address (available in either flat or letterpress).
The monogram comes in nearly 50 ink colors. If you’re looking to add a name or a phase to your stationery, consider this set by the same designer. And if you’re interested in a different envelope liner, be sure to browse the entire HautePapier shop. Handmade in Washington D.C., these pieces are unique and can take longer to ship than other picks on our list. However, we think they’re well worth it for the quality and customization that’s offered.
Quantity: 50-150 | Size: 4.5 x 6.3 inches | Orientation: Landscape
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It’s fully customizable, from the monogram type to the printing style.
There are limited paper colors to choose from.
Monogrammed personalized stationery doesn’t have to be a one-size-fits-all purchase. You’re probably picturing a traditional, cursive look, but monograms come in a variety of fonts, letter numbers, and letter orders.
The Crane Heritage Monarch Card offers eight monogram styles to choose from. There’s the classic three-letter monogram in cursive, a two-letter monogram that resembles a crest logo, single initials, and modern block-style initials. Once you’ve decided on your perfect monogram, you choose between 27 font colors. You’re also able to select the type of printing: thermography, engraving, or letterpress.
You also have the option to add a note at the bottom of your card. There are eight fonts available, ranging from traditional to bold to modern, and the same 27 color choices available for the monogram. Almost every detail of this pick is customizable, however, the paper is only available in pearl white and ecru. The envelope is also only available in these colors, but you can customize the envelope liner with 25 solid colors and 48 patterns, plus add a return address to the flap.
Quantity: 25-750 | Size: 3.8 x 7.3 inches | Orientation: Landscape
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You can work with a free designer to lay out your perfect note card.
The front can only be personalized by special request.
Foil stationery is a cost-effective way to up your stationery game. Laurie Montgomery, owner of stationery and design company Fanciful Ink, explains that foil stationery is typically more expensive because of the in-depth printing process and premium thick paper, but “the result is a beautiful textured design,” she says.
Paper Culture’s Foil Rustic Charm set comes in gold, silver, and rose gold foil options. The design features intertwining plants in metallic foil around your personalized center. You’re able to customize your text, but keep in mind that the plant-designed border cannot be changed except by special request.
Paper Culture offers free designer assistance to guide you when picking your layout, colors, and photo editing. If you plan to use these note cards as wedding cards, the team can even help you with etiquette advice to curate your perfect message. You’re also able to approve a free digital print before placing your order.
Additional ways to customize this stationery includes horizontal and vertical layouts, paper thickness, and rounded corners. These note cards are part of a wedding suite, so you can also purchase paper products including invitations, programs, menus, and table cards.
Quantity: 10-1,000 | Size: 6 x 4.3 inches | Orientation: Portrait
Best Embossed Personalized Stationery
American Stationery The Ultimate Embossed Double Border Notes
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Amazon
These cards feature an embossed personalization that adds dimension, and they’re folded to provide extra writing space.
The paper is only available in white, ivory, and pink.
Embossed stationery will add a touch of elegance to any collection. Rather than using ink, embossed stationery is made by pressing heavy metal plates against the paper to raise the surface and add dimension. Embossed notes are typically more expensive, and Montgomery explains that this is because the process is more in-depth than that of other types of stationery and typically requires thicker paper.
American Stationery’s Embossed Notes feature a classic design. You can customize the card with either a traditional monogram or your full name, while a clean border outlines the design to complete the look. The envelope is also customizable for an extra fee—choose from one of the eight envelope liners as well as an embossed return address on the flap. And unlike many of the other cards on our list, these are folded to provide additional writing space.
Since there is no ink on embossed notes, color-lovers will want a pick with multiple paper colors available. It’s important to keep in mind that this pick is only available in three neutral paper colors: white, ivory, and pink. But all in all, American Stationery is a family-owned business that has been in operation for 100 years, so we’re confident that you’ll be pleased with the quality of these cards.
Quantity: 25 | Size: 3.9 x 5.8 inches | Orientation: Landscape
Best Nature Personalized Stationery
Minted Personalized Stationery Thank You Cards Hydrangea Love
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Minted
This highly customizable card set features a watercolor hydrangea design.
All the customizations can add up.
These cards pay homage to Southern gardens everywhere, as the border is lined with beautiful watercolor hydrangeas. You can choose from the standard pink, purple, or blue color options, but you also have the option to connect with a Minted designer to select a custom color for the text and florals. To further customize your design, consider a round, wave, or framed silhouette for an upcharge. The paper included in the original price is the signature thick paper, but you can also upgrade to a recycled, double-thick, or triple-thick option.The back of the card features the hydrangea print of a solid color, or you upgrade to a photo gallery for an additional fee.
Not every notewriter requires the same writing space, and this pick is available in two sizes: 7 x 5 inches and 5.5 x 4.3 inches. As you increase the quantity, the price per card declines. If you’re an avid note-writer or you’re looking to build your stationery collection, consider larger sets to cut costs.
Quantity: 15-305 | Size: 5.5 x 4.3 inches or 7 x 5 inches | Orientation: Portrait
Best Modern Personalized Stationery
Joy Creative Shop Modern Classics Personalized Stationery
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Joy Creative Shop
The block letters and endless color combinations make for a fun and modern-looking stationery set.
The cards are on the smaller side.
This Dallas-based stationery shop emphasizes strong typography and unique color pairings. The bubble font comes in your choice of 30 base colors and 30 accents colors for a unique and custom design. There aren’t envelopes to match all 30 base colors, but you can select neutral options (white and tan) for a cohesive look. Plus, it all comes in ready-to-gift packaging.
For an additional charge, you can add a printed return address to your envelopes. White envelopes can include any font color from the chart, and all colored envelopes will have a return address printed in navy for visibility. Proofs are available upon request and arrive within one to three business days.
Standard flat note cards are typically 5 x 7 inches, but these cards are 4.3 x 5.5 inches, meaning they’re ideal for shorter notes. If you’re looking for something you can jot longer notes on, consider the matching notepad. Joy Creative Shop offers a 10 percent bulk discount for 10 or more of the same item plus a 10 percent subscription discount for avid note-writers.
Quantity: 10-200 | Size: 4.3 x 5.5 inches | Orientation: Landscape
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This folded note card features a clean monogram and an embossed frame for an art deco-inspired look.
It’s not available in any colors aside from ecru.
Nothing says elegant like a classic folded note card with a clean monogram. The Crane Langston Note is available in 12 different monogram styles all on ecru-colored paper. There are five embossed border variations, including an interlocking frame and a beveled frame for an art deco-inspired look. For an additional fee, you can customize the envelope with a return address and a liner.
Though this isn’t our splurge pick, this set is on the higher end of our list; you’ll spend over $100 for just 25 cards. This is partially due to the card’s luxe embossed border, which our experts say can drive up the price because of the in-depth printing process.
Product Details: Quantity: 25-750 | Size: 3.8 x 5.2 inches | Orientation: Landscape
Best Watercolor Personalized Stationery
Erin Condren Watercolor Splash Personalized Stationery
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Erin Condren
You have the option to add a custom message for thank you notes, birthdays, and other specific occasions.
There are only two watercolor designs to choose from.
This watercolor pick by Erin Condren includes everything you need to jumpstart your stationery collection. Included in the price are 20 flat or folded note cards, 20 envelopes (available in 13 colors), 20 envelope sealers, and a storage box available in a pinstripe or mid-century circle pattern.
You have the option between amethyst and teal watercolor designs, and there are two lines at the bottom where you can add your name or a phrase. And if you want to create a template for birthday cards, thank you notes, or other specific occasions, you can also add up to five lines of text to the middle of the card.
Quantity: 20 | Size: 3.5 x 4.8 inches (folded) or 4.6 x 6.3 inches (flat) | Orientation: Landscape
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The clean, classic design makes this a great gift for any aesthetic and allows for more writing space.
You can’t change the paper color.
You can’t go wrong with minimalist stationery, especially when gifting. Papier’s Ampersand Note Card Set is classically designed for all ages and aesthetics. The top of the flat card includes a personalized line of text, and you get to choose from 19 fonts. In addition, you can also customize the font color, letter spacing, and alignment. For those who love color, keep in mind that the paper color only comes in white.
Each card comes with a plain white envelope. If you’d like to add even more customization, you can upgrade to include custom color options and printed return addresses. If you’re gifting this pick, the 20 note cards and envelopes fit perfectly into the Papier stationery box, which can be purchased at checkout. If you need more than 20 cards, the extras will be included on the side.
Quantity: 10-250 | Size: 5 x 7 inches | Orientation: Landscape
Best Personalized Stationery for Teachers
Joy Creative Shop Teacher Personalized Stationery
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Joy Creative Shop
These cards are designed specifically for teachers, making them the perfect way to thank your favorite educator.
Not every font color has a coordinating envelope to match.
If you need an end-of-year teacher gift, look no further than this personalized stationery set that features an apple illustration and reads “From the Desk of…” These flat cards by Joy Creative Shop pack a big punch with 30 unique color options and a modern font. The size (4.3 x 5.5 inches) is smaller than typical flat cards, but the personalization in the top corner leaves plenty of blank space for writing. Quantities range from 10 all the way up to 200 cards
You have the option to add a printed return address to the envelope for an extra charge. If you select this option, the address will be printed on the back of the envelope in a clean, basic font. White envelopes can have any font color from the chart, and all colored envelopes will have a navy font to be most visible.
For those who enjoy matching sets, it’s important to keep in mind that only eight of the 30 color options have matching envelopes. However, there’s a classic white option that will go with every pick. Proofs are available upon request and will arrive within 1-3 business days. The cards also come in a box that is ready to be gifted to the educator in your life.
Product Details: Quantity: 10-200 | Size: 4.3 x 5.5 inches | Variations: 30 | Orientation: Landscape
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This customizable banana-phone card is a fun choice for kids and teens in addition to adults.
The speech bubble greeting cannot be changed.
This banana-phone flat card set by Minted adds a humorous touch to your stationery collection and makes a great choice for avid note-writers of all ages. For the base color, you can choose between pastel shades of pink, purple, blue, green, yellow, and cream. The cards come with traditional straight edges, but you can upgrade to rounded corners or framed edges for an additional charge.
This pick comes in 130-pound paper stock, but if you can upgrade to recycled, double-thick, or triple-thick paper. The front of the card includes a personalized line at the bottom, but keep in mind that the banana illustration comes with a universal “hello” greeting that cannot be changed. The back of the card is fully customizable—choose from the banana print, your solid color of choice, or for an additional charge, you can upgrade to include a photo gallery.
Quantity: 15-305 | Size: 5.5 x 4.3 inches | Orientation: Portrait
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It comes with everything you need for handwritten correspondence—note cards, calling cards, and a notepad.
Personalization options are limited.
If you’re building a stationery collection from scratch, consider a matching set from the Birmingham, Alabama-based stationary brand, Dogwood Hill (a favorite among Southern Living editors). This collection comes with 25 note cards, 25 calling cards, and one 75-sheet notepad. The variety of stationery in this pack means you’ll be prepared for all of your writing needs.
The note cards are perfect for thank you notes and come in a premium thick paper stock (120 pounds). Each note card comes with a blank, eggshell-colored envelope for mailing. The calling cards also come in 120-pound paper stock and are ideal for sharing your contact information or for business purposes. The personalized notepad has 75 sheets in a thick 80-pound stock (keep in mind that a 60-pound stock is average for notepads). When you’re in need of jotting quick notes, reach for the notepad in this set.
The eggshell white paper and neutral pattern makes this classic set a fit for most people. However, it’s important to keep in mind that you cannot personalize this stationery beyond adding your name, so color lovers might prefer other opinions on our list.
Quantity: 25 note cards, 25 calling cards, (1) 75-sheet notepad | Size: Not listed | Orientation: Landscape and portrait
The Bottom Line
The Papier Classic Border Note Card Set is our top pick for its classic design that will appeal to every style. Plus, the cards are generously sized and the design doesn’t take up much room, so you have more space to write. Our budget pick, the Curio Press Simplicity Flat Card Set, is a cost-effective option with a timeliness design printed on high-quality paper.
Tips for Choosing the Right Personalized Stationery
Variations
Folded and flat note cards are the most common types of personalized stationery to have on hand, but consider jotter sheets or notepads for more casual settings. You can also personalize your set in multiple ways, including your name, monogram, or crest. When shopping for personalized stationery, Montgomery says to “allow your stationery to reflect you, because when your recipient receives it, it makes it even more delightful.”
Size
“For note cards and thank you cards, I love a flat 5x7 or 4x6 that allows for writing on both sides of the paper with ample space,” says Montgomery. These standard sizes are widely available when shopping for personalized stationery.
Orientation & Silhouette
Personalized stationery can be either landscape (horizontal) or portrait (vertical), but Montgomery prefers landscape designs. “Standard store cards, like birthday cards, are usually designed vertically, so designing horizontally distinguishes these cards as something more personal,” she explains.
Stationery mostly comes in rectangular shapes, however, some of our picks allow you to customize the silhouette by rounding the edges for a softer look.
Questions and Answers
What types of stationery are most common in a set?
Montgomery says traditional card sets come in packs of eight to 24 and typically include color-coordinated envelopes. She adds that elevated stationery sets might come with stickers to seal your envelopes and a color-coordinating pen.
If you have a variety of paper needs, you can also purchase sets that include different types of paper products. For example, our favorite set—the Dogwood Hill Epiphany Gift Set—comes with 25 note cards, 25 calling cards, and a notepad.
How much stationery do you need?
Your stationery collection should be personal to you, so it’s important to stock up on the items you’ll use most often. For most people, this means having a variety of folded and flat cards. Jotter sheets can also be useful for casual settings. To elevate your collection, Montgomery recommends having congratulatory, “thinking of you,” and birthday cards on hand.
How much can you expect to pay for personalized stationery?
“This is a personal choice based on your taste,” says Solarek. “[Price] depends on paper weight and the printing method.” She explains that thinner paper with flat print is usually less expensive, while you pay a premium for thicker paper with embossed or foil designs.
As far as price range goes, Montgomery says you can expect personalized stationery to range from $0.50 to $5 per card. It’s common for the price per card to decrease when buying higher quantities of stationery.
How do I personalize my stationery?
It’s most common to personalize stationery with your name, monogram, or crest. To complete your set, consider creating color-coordinated envelopes with your return address printed. You can also pick stationery that goes beyond just a name or monogram, such as the Rifle Paper Co. Personalized Flat Notes, which features an illustrated self portrait.
Is personalized stationery a good gift?
As any Southern Mama will tell you, a handwritten note beats an email any day. Therefore, personalized stationery always makes a great gift. Solarek says this gift would benefit children and young adults so they can “learn the lost art of a handwritten note early.” It’s also a thoughtful gift for those in a new stage of life, including newlyweds, graduates, and young professionals. Montgomery adds that personalized stationery “can be an unexpected gift for someone who simply loves to be organized and might not invest in something custom for themselves.”
Why Trust Southern Living
Addie Morton is a contributing writer for Southern Living who specializes in home decor and lifestyle content. For this story, she spoke with two stationery experts, Laurie Montgomery and Troy Solarek. Montgomery is a graphic designer, illustrator, and owner of Fanciful Ink, which specializes in wedding and event stationery. Solarek is the founder and creator of The Dotted Line, a paperie boutique specializing in stationery, invitations, weddings, and Christmas cards. Using Montgomery’s and Solarek’s expertise and recommendations, Morton researched hundreds of options to compile a list of the best personalized stationery on the market.
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