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Etiquette for Engraved Stationery
By Shaunta Alburger, eHow Contributor updated June 13, 2011

Engraved stationery refers to paper — either formal or informal — that is professionally engraved with the name of a person, couple or family. We live in a time when hand written letters are falling out of favor as electronic forms of correspondence gain ever-greater popularity. Still, when using written correspondence there are etiquette rules to follow.

Rules for Women

Women have a wider range of choices when it comes to engraved stationery than men, since their name and title usually change when they marry. A woman named Mary Jones who marries s man named John Smith has two choices. She can engrave her personal stationery Mary Smith or Mrs. John Smith. Mrs. MarySmith is only used if she is divorced from John. Before she marries, MissMary Jones is correct but out of date. Simply, Mary Jones is a better choice. A woman who is also a doctor, a clergy person or in the military should use her title so that people know how to address her. Indication of education, such as M.D. or Ph.D. should only be used on professional stationery.

Rules for Men
Men who are doctors or members of the clergy or military should use the irtitles on their personal engraved stationery so that those they correspond with know how to address them. It isn’t necessary for John Smith to use the title “Mr.” While not incorrect, it can come across as showy.

Rules For Families
Married couples generally buy stationery engraved with both first names and their shared last names, or just their titles and husband’s first and last name. If titles are used, the husband’s traditionally comes first — for example, Mr. and Mrs. John Smith. If no titles are used, the wife’s first name comes first, so Mary and John Smith. When children’s names are added,they are listed according to age, with the oldest first. Another family option is to list the family name, followed by the husband’s, wife’s and children’s first names: The Jones Family — John, Mary, Jack and Lisa.

Types of Stationery
There are three types of engraved stationery currently in regular use.Formal writing paper is used for more formal occasions. Letters of congratulations or condolences, for instance, would be written on formal writing paper. Personal business stationery is less formal and would be used to write correspondence with businesses regarding your home life, or for correspondence from your business. Personal notepaper is used for informal personal correspondence such as letters to friends or informal invitations.

References
Complete Idiot’s Guide to Etiquette; Mary Mitchell, John Corr; 2000
Pen and Parchment: Etiquette and Grammar

Ask Martha: What should I look for in choosing stationery?
Observer-Reporter – Apr 27, 1997?

Bookstores and libraries carry books of clip art (copy-right-free Illustrations). Look through them for an emblem that suits your style, Also look at books of typography; each type-face has its own personality. Of course, your local printing shop will also offer a selection of type-faces.If you have a home computer, experiment on it. Then, when you go to the printing shop, you may be able to supply its staff with finished artwork, Or you can discuss your ideas with the professionals there and let them advise you.

Printing stationery
Metal engraving is a true art form. With this method, words and images are hand-engraved onto a copper or steel the When stamped onto paper, the letters are raised on the front and there’s a slight indentation on the back- the mark of true engraving. Engraved stationery is an indulgence, but for formal correspondence or special occasions, such as wedding invitations, it may be worth the cost.

Thermography is a printing technique that approximates the effect of raised,engraved printing, but the results are not as fine and there are no tell-tale indentations. It’s a more affordable choice.

Several other printing methods are available. Offset lithography gives a crisp, fiat image. Polymer printing is an updated variation of the traditional letterpress (which is also still available, though rare), Prices vary; discuss the different options with your printer.

Selecting paper
Look for good-quality paper. Hag paper, made from unlaundered, un-dyed cotton rags, is the classic choice. Recycled paper is another attractive option.

Years ago we were limited in terms of color. White, gray and cream paper still make beautiful stationery but so do blue sage green, rose and lemon yellow. Just make sure hat a anything printed or written on the paper will be easy to read.

Handmade stationery
Stationery doesn’t have to printed. You can personalize paper yourself using a rubber stamp or an embosser, which creates a lovely raised effect. The results may not be as formal, but handmade stationery will suit most occasions perfectly.

Set the look of your stationery by choosing typefaces and symbols that express your personality. Look through books – or draw a logo or monogram by hand. Illustrations with strong, clear lines reproduce best.Good stationery stores, rubber-stamp companies and some printing shops will reproduce your design on a rubber stamp or embosser. There are size and shape restrictions for embossers, but rubber stamps can he made in any size.

Art stores and stationery stores sell good-quality paper in a vast array of weights, textures, colors and sizes. With a couple of stamps and ink pads or embossers, its easy to create an extensive modern s

tationery “wardrobe.”

Once you have a supply of stationery, don’t forget to use it, Next time you pick up the phone or turn on your computer to send e-mail, sit down and write a letter instead.

Individuality that leads in fall stationery
From: The Toledo New Bee Sep 7, 1933 ?

Photographs, initials among the novelty decorations. New York-stationery should express your individuality this fall.

Never has there been such an attractive array of colors and designs it’s positively a joy to go shopping for letter paper these days.

The gay little co-Ed will love engraved stationery which has the name of her dormitory, as well as that of her college. Engraved on the top of the paper.

Other college women are apt to choose writing paper which has personal initials in one corner, address in the other, and abroad diagonal stripe in college colors running across the top of the paper.

Anyone lucky enough to have a picturesque country or townhouse ought not to pass up a chance to have a photograph of it engraved for a striking stationery design.

For those living at the beach or near a lake, why not carry in national idea on your choice of engraved stationery? What could be nicer than an anchor,with perhaps a fish near it, in one corner if you write little invitation and such paper, there’ll be no doubt in your guests mind as to what kind of wearing apparel to bring along for the visit with you.

A lady who has a summer camp in the mountains would do well to have a pine tree engraved in one corner of her writing paper.

As an economy proposition as well as a splendid idea, why not have one design in engraved stationery serve the whole family

Have a family name, plus an “s”, with the address below, across the top of the paper. Each member of the family can use it with perfect good taste.

Nor has the artist been left out of the engraved stationery picture. The pianist can have a row of piano keys across the top of his paper and the painter might select an easel.

Simple ideas are best for everyone, particularly for a child. The first name is enough.

White and the pastel shades are the best taste. You can’t go wrong if youchoose white, pale gray or delicate beige.
Nearly everyone needs two sizes of stationery – one for little notes of”thank you” and the like, and another larger size for letters.

If you don’t care to have your full name and address on your engraved stationery, at least have your initials. Monograms range from modernisticstyles to old English.

Personally engraved stationery is always a perfect gift. Engraved note paperis a splendid little remembrance to take along to your hostess. The paperwhich serves the whole family solves the problem of choosing individualgifts for each member.

Getting a small child his own personal writing paper teaches him to takepride in sending out nice looking letters.

Ideas for Engraved Stationery
By Joanne Robitaille, eHow Contributor

Anyone can write a letter on plain white stationery. When you want to make a statement, engraving allows you to personalize your stationery while giving it an added flourish. Engraving is done using a die press to imprint an ink design onto the paper, the force of which causes the image to be raised just enough to appear engraved. Stationery meant for personal and professional use can benefit from engraving.

Monograms
Monograms are a simple way to let someone know just whom a letter is coming from before they even open it. In simplest terms, all that’s required for a monogram are the initials of the sender. Done in black ink with a plain typeface doesn’t offer much in the way of creativity, but still makes an impression. When designing wedding stationery (or stationery for any special event), the color and typeface style should follow the overall themes of the celebration. Bright, bold colors and flowing script set on heavy card is a step above using regular invitations. To create more personalized monograms, surround the initials with a simple image that reflects either you or the celebration. Unite the initials under a Gothic arch or surround them with a few twinkling stars. A monogram is meant to represent you, so it should do just that.

Coat of Arms
Similar to monograms, but with a much more regal feel, are family crests or coats of arms. While some families have their own personalized coats of arms that date back centuries, you can just as easily create your own when designing your stationery. Starting with a plain shield (which can be
divided in half or into quarters, if you prefer), arrange your initials in the center. Your initials can either be set straight across, vertically or on an angle. It’s in the area surrounding the shield that you can be your most creative. Traditionally, coats of arms have a figure or symbol on each of the shield’s four sides. Some people choose to use their astrological signs as figures standing alongside the shield while others use images associated with their hobbies or family history.

Personalized Images
Images acting as a border or highlighting a corner are a further way that stationery can be engraved. When selecting an image, it can be as big or as small as you want. If you love to garden or are having an outdoor wedding, a tall flower winding up the side of your stationery creates an elegant yet simple touch that adds color to the paper without being overwhelming. The image doesn’t have to fill the entire length of a page or be painted in bold colors. Soft, silvery stars dotting the top of the letterhead create just as much of an impact as bright colors simply because they’ve been engraved onto the paper.