Take a cue from your closet

“When working on stationery with a client, I usually chat with clients about 15 minutes first. I take cues from the way they are dressed,” say Margaret Jones, founder of Scriptura in New Orleans. “People tend to wear colors they favor. Some people wear blues and greens, others prefer reds, pinks and oranges. Many are quite classic and wear whites, taupes and neutral colors. These non verbal clues tell me a great deal about the samples to present.”

Consider your handwriting style.

Margaret Jones also asks clients to write a few words on a piece of paper so she can see the size of their hand writing. “For instance, mine is very large and bold, consequently I prefer oversized cards, and letter sheets,” she says.

How will you use your stationery?

“I also like to ask how clients are going to use the stationery,” says Jones. “Different situations require different approaches. For instance, brides usually prefer a small folded note due to the large number of thank you notes they will be writing. I also like to know if we will be creating the only set of stationery the client will be using. If so, I want it to be versatile and appropriate for a variety of purposes – thank yous, sympathy and business. The real fun begins when we can create a few different types – a classic one for restrained circumstances, and kicky one with bright colors for happier missives.”

Engraving, Letterpress, Thermography, or Hand-Lettering? 

“For men and women, there is nothing like a beautiful engraved or letterpressed correspondence card, whether it is with a monogram or a name,” says Nancy Smith, founder of Walton Street Stationers.  “It suits so many occasions, and the color of the paper and ink can make it more or less formal. We strongly believe the quality of the paper matters, and with that, thermography can also be nice when it is on good quality paper. For children, it is so fun for them to have something with their name on it, and sometimes, depending on their age, a fun motif that reflects them. We work with vendors who have some absolutely adorable motifs and we can also have them custom made, which is really fun!”

Emilie Dulles, owner of Dulles Designs, says, “Engraving is the most luxurious form of printing and it stands out in a sea of quickly printed, lower-end, online papers.  I have seen an increased appreciation for engraved stationery over the last few years, especially with clients who are very color conscious and want to have their stationery reflect their level of taste, sophistication, and style.”

“Hand-lettering artwork for your name and hand-drawn monograms are also highly sought after by clients who appreciate a bespoke stationery concept from start to finish and are interested in having a font for their name that might be used by a family member or friend,” says Dulles.

Other flourishes and personalized touches 

Dulles says “Our custom printed patterned envelope linings – using florals, stripes, motifs, and watercolors – are a trend that is here to stay as they are the essence of bespoke stationery and embellish any envelope and message delivery with distinction and panache! Hand-painted edges, bevels, and borders are sumptuous embellishments to dress up any note card and elevate stationery to a work of ‘mailable’ art!”

Smith says, “I love a printed return address, as it just gives the stationery a polished finish. But, if you have moved and still have envelopes that you don’t want to waste, you can get nice return address labels that will cover the old address without having to order new envelopes. Another thought, if you think you might be moving, is to order an embosser or a stamper with the return address, and then you can update those with a new address. We sell the stampers with many different setups as well as ink colors, so it will still give your stationery a finished look.”

Dulles says, “Lastly, don’t forget to pick pretty and on-theme stamps and PLEASE affix them squarely and carefully in the top right corner of your envelope. A crooked or boring stamp can ruin a first impression, so it is critical to put in a little extra effort in gathering lovely stamps to finish off your stationery or invitations.”

Perfect Pens and Ink Colors

Nancy Smith with Walton Street Stationers says, “I am a big fan of different ink colors. While blue and black are always good choices, it can be fun to bring out some other colors, depending on the nature of the note. One of my personal favorites was a light gray correspondence card that we did, with a white border, and white engraved name….suitable for serious correspondence, including sympathy notes, with blue or black ink but such fun with turquoise or hot pink ink for something happy.  Another fun option can be a monogram in two ink colors, and then play up those colors with your ink.”

Emilie Dulles says, “All pen selections are very personal! I prefer the fluid application of ink to paper that comes from using a fountain pen or a roller ball, but I’m also apt to use a ballpoint pen if the right tip feels right on certain papers – also depends on the texture and finish of the stock.”

Dulles continues, “I always recommend buying a number of pens in different colors to complement your stationery and to test them out before committing to writing out a full letter or note. It is important to not give up on using stationery just because you don’t love writing on it with a certain pen. Just like a certain pair of shoes can make or break an outfit, the right pen can make all the difference with bespoke stationery.”

“In terms of ink colors for pens, you always want to make sure your selection looks intentional,” says Dulles. “Black, navy, and charcoal are safe bets to go with most stationery designs, yet there are some lovely pen colors that can really pop and elevate a more muted look as long as the tones are consistent and don’t clash.”

Calling cards are back!

Nancy Smith says, “Calling cards are such a great things to have for all ages… when you meet someone and want to be able to connect, you can just give them a nice calling card. For 20+ somethings, they are fabulous as they are entering the work world and meeting with people, networking, etc…it is a great way for that person to be able to follow up with you, and, along, with a hand written thank you note, a great way to stand out in the crowd.”

“The elegant world has grown tired of email and texts and Zoom communication. Calling cards are not only terribly chic and refined, but they are also wonderfully discreet and useful for today’s networking and socializing,” says Dulles. “Not only can a calling card be designed to each person’s aesthetic and reflect their unique tastes in ways that a text or email never could, but they can also include as much or as little personal information as they desire to share. You can hand-write any necessary contact details on a need to know basis, which allows both ladies and gentlemen to be discerning about who will have their private cell phone number or email address.”

Building your Stationery Wardrobe: Tips from Dulles Designs

GENTLEMEN

Gentlemen who wish to make a distinctive impression socially and professionally should have a well-adorned stationery wardrobe.

It starts with a classic note card, either soft white or ecru paper, engraved in a handsome ink color with their full name in a timeless block font, of which there are many in our collection.

Charcoal, indigo, navy, hunter green, and chocolate brown are always handsome ink colors for gentlemen –– akin to having a bespoke navy blue blazer or dark grey suit for all occasions.

One strong Dulles Designs recommendation is to include a letter sheet that is twice the writing area of a note card, for writing longer missives whilst sharing the same envelope size as their note card.

Lastly, every gentleman should have a personal calling card that is not his career business card, to match his stationery wardrobe. Calling cards can also be as traditional as stating his full name only, or include his cell phone and/or email address.

My husband insists on presenting a couple’s calling card, one that has both of our first names, cell phones, and emails, to be sure recipients know full well that he is happily married!

LADIES

A woman’s stationery wardrobe can be as aesthetically driven and customized as their clothing wardrobe or jewelry collection.

All ladies, at the minimum, need a classic note card personalized with their full name or monogram to handle a variety of messages akin to a LBD. A soft white or ivory card engraved in a chic timeless ink color is ideal.

Hermès orange is a neutral for some ladies, yet it wouldn’t be appropriate for writing a condolence note, so best to stick to metallic gold, navy, grey, taupe or hunter green for example.

Then ladies need a letter sheet and/or fold-over note for longer messages. Both formats are lovely for more traditional notes and it is up to personal preference as to which is added to their stationery wardrobe first. These can be engraved with their full name or their monogram.

A fun set of note card with a bold color is a must for the fashion forward writers! I love a bright card stock engraved in white or gold ink paired with a colored envelope and unique lining inside. Think of the favorite room in your home or the outfit that makes you feel amazing, then draw inspiration for your stationery that makes a stylistic splash!

Calling cards are always a must for a lady – much more elegant and distinctive than a text message – and if they include just your name, then they can double as a gift enclosure.

Otherwise, the most thoughtful of gifts includes a lady’s gift enclosure with can be paired with a darling petite lined envelope.

CHILDREN

The art, tradition, and joy of hand-written notes are ideally shared with children from a young age. The best way to instill this gracious habit in younger generations is for children to have their own custom stationery, even before they can write the notes themselves.

A small note card printed with their name in a cherished ink color and an age appropriate motif is a favorite for children.

Gift enclosures are also a must in a beginner paper lover’s stationery wardrobe, because they are so helpful for the many birthdays and events that little ones attend.

FAMILY

Family crest stationery, either embossed or engraved or full-color printed, is an elegant option that can be used by every member of the family.

Estate or seasonal home stationery with a bespoke rendering or watercolor artwork of the façade or the property name can also serve as thank you notes, as well as for hand-written invitations to planned or impromptu cocktail parties or an intimate dinner party – so chic!

Couples stationery is perfect to thank for a dinner party invitation or to reply to a formal event or to send in lieu of a pre-printed greeting card. This can range from the formal with full “married names” to the more casual with first names only.

Pet stationery is also a fun family favorite that includes a rendering of your furry friend.

All of the above pieces also make fantastic gifts for engaged couples or newlyweds or on the occasion of an anniversary.

Are hand-written letters still relevant in today’s digital world?

In closing, we asked our experts to weigh in on why it is more important now than ever to take the time for handwritten correspondence…

Emilie Dulles, Dulles Designs: 

Stationery sales have definitely been going strong the last few years as we all realize the importance of staying in touch and also reconnecting with our loved ones in meaningful ways! Stationery is the perfect tool and gift to reach out and also stand out when so much of our world is going digital.

Stationery, hand-written envelopes, and custom printed invitations also have the advantages of discretion and distinction. You can’t hack or forward or “reply all” to a piece of mail! Our stationery and event printing clients at the highest levels appreciate that their formal correspondence, invitations, and celebrations are kept safe and secure via bespoke papers and a postage stamp.

Writing is an integral part of the human experience for gracious living and communicating.  It is also good for our mental health. Writing by hand forces us to slow down, carefully select the piece of paper we want, take out a favorite pen, and then gather our thoughts before putting pen to paper.

Writing words of gratitude –– be they for a joyful occasion (birthday, gift, anniversary, wedding, graduation) –– help anchor gratitude into our spirits or for more somber occasions (illness, grief) they help us to process emotions in a tangible way and remember the love and support that surrounds us.

There is also an element of romance to sending hand-written correspondence that connects us to how our ancestors stayed in touch with loved ones regardless of geographic distance.

When you hand-write and mail thoughts of love, gratitude, and wisdom, you make them even more real and they become part of your personal history to be revisited by and shared with generations to come.

By Natalie Aldridge

I have a confession. The number of times I have mailed a handwritten note total the number of digits on my hands. Growing up in the age of the internet has provided me with a superb sixth sense for computer skills but a lacking penmanship ability. It comes as quite a surprise to those my senior to learn I was not taught cursive in school.

Now in my young adult years, I find myself gravitating towards pen and paper. I crave the beauty of pristine stationery and the physicality of inscribing a note. My telephone has become rife with images of ornate typography, charming note card designs from decades past, and of course, the exquisite artistry of vintage monograms.

While devouring the latest episode of The Gilded Age with a group of friends, we discussed the use of calling cards throughout the series. The tradition of a bygone era struck a chord in each of us.

Hardly a necessity in the modern era, each of us dreamed of whipping out a calling card to leave with a friend or a potential suitor. Better yet, leaving a card for one Mrs. Astor just as Bertha Russell so gracefully did in episode one. Though not so kindly taken by Mrs. Astor, the idea of toting delicately personalized cards with one’s information provides such an intimate and tangible moment.

It was clear after this conversation that we all desired to spark a resurgence of not only calling cards but traditional stationery. All of us having grown up in an era of digital communication suddenly began eagerly formulating ideas of how to incorporate the use of stationery in our everyday lives.

A likely result of digital fatigue, lack of personal connection throughout the pandemic, and the decline of formality in society, stationery has made a comeback. According to an article by Town & Country titled A Side Effect of the Pandemic? Stationery Sales Are Booming Right Now, Google Trends reported a 180% increase in the search term “what to write in a ‘thinking of you’ card?” in 2020, and the stationery brand Papier experienced a 300% increase of online sales.

Last fall, Inc. magazine highlighted the powerful business advantage companies can achieve through handwritten communication. “Emails and printed mailers aren’t reaching your customer,” the magazine reports. “More importantly, neither form of communication tells your client or customer something vital: that you care about them.” However, estimates suggest that personalized notes are opened at an overwhelming rate of 98 percent! “Handwritten notes are treasured and saved, creating an ongoing brand impression for months or even years,” states Inc.

Everything old is new again. In December 2020, Marie Claire highlighted the new digitally savvy generations putting their stamp on the traditional greeting-card business. “Thanks to millennials and Gen Z, the incredibly analog business is experiencing a rebirth,” the magazine reports. Winnie Park, CEO of Paper Source told Marie Claire, “People may be surprised, but our number-one customers for paper goods are actually millennials. They are our fastest growing segment.”

Why? “Blame screen burnout, for one—the same thing that has millennials snapping up vintage typewriters and real-film Polaroid cameras,” says Marie Claire. And let’s not forget the Grandmillennial movement that has sky-rocked the popularity of timeless, classic “Granny Chic” interior design.

While stationery and hand written notes never disappeared, they have certainly taken a back seat to technology, and a rebound seems inevitable. What was thought to be a custom of the past has taken hold once more, filling the void of physical connection we have missed over the last two years.

Emily Post writes, “When I get a handwritten letter, I’m excited to open it. The art of the postage stamp, the feel of the paper, the graphic quirks of a friend’s handwriting: There is simply nothing as personal as a handwritten note. In a stack of bills and flyers, it’s a treasure in a sealed packet, full of promise and potential. It is a visceral reminder of someone far away.”

The Glam Pad has eagerly taken note and watched with great interest as countless new players have entered the stationery market. Fresh and whimsical stationers such as Papier, Clementina Sketchbook, Dogwood Hill, and The Chain Press have started to dominate our Instagram feed as individuals are finding ways to correspond in an old-school manner while bringing a contemporary twist to the task.

As guardians of tradition and old-fashioned niceties, the use of beautiful paper to convey personal thoughts kindles our hearts. It is safe to say the generation raised with computers as extensions of their arms has had enough. Nothing can compare to the personal touch. Analog always prevails.

x Natalie

Follow Natalie on Instagram: @natalieealdridge

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