23 Jan 2025

The Joy of Stationery

Our increasing tendency to communicate entirely by text or email is having a disastrous impact on our handwriting ability. It is also depriving us of an enjoyable indulgence – buying personalised stationery and investing in high quality fountain pens and ink.

Looking at 19th-century etiquette books, it is possible to discern a familiar theme – the writers bemoan the decline in the art of correspondence, and comment on the increasing brevity of letters and notes in these “busy, scrambling days”:

The post-card has been regarded as largely responsible for the curt brevity of modern correspondence; but it is really the effect, rather than the cause, of the limited interchange of written words. The correspondence card and the letter-card are all consequences of the same rush and whirl in which we live. There is not time for letter-writing in these busy, scrambling days. The correspondence card is a boon indeed, but no gilt edges, if you please!”

Manners for Women by Mrs C.E. Humphry, 1897

It is hard to imagine what the redoubtable Mrs Humphry would have made of the “curt brevity” of texts…

Despite her reservations about modern short-cuts, she has no doubt that personal stationery is an essential social signifier, which does much to proclaim a person’s social status to the world. She also has some firm prescriptions about the appearance of stationery:

It is the ambition of every one of us to make as good an appearance in all things appertaining to our social position as circumstances may permit…Plain but good cream-coloured notepaper is always in the best taste, with no crest, and the address either thickly embossed in white or printed in one colour, the characters being as distinct as possible, but not immensely large or straggling…”

In her day, it was de rigueur to be equipped with a set of personalised stationery, comprising writing paper, correspondence cards, ‘At Home’ cards, and visiting cards – these items were seen as essential components in the social ‘brand’ of society ladies. As indicated in the quotation above, any lapse from strictly conventional notions of ‘good taste’, was considered vulgar – and garishly tinted paper, fancy or coloured edges, exuberant monograms or extravagant typography were all considered to be beyond the pale.

Stationery Today

Despite the decline in letter-writing, there are still occasions when a handwritten note carries prestige or significance and is considered preferable to a text or email: letters of condolence, thanks for formal hospitality, replies to formal invitations (eg wedding invitations), letters of congratulation (births, graduation, milestone birthdays). Whatever the reason, if you really want a communication to stand out, going to the trouble of sending a handwritten letter will guarantee that it is noticed and appreciated.

It is by no means essential to have personalised stationery and simply investing in good quality writing paper and envelopes is an excellent start and shows that you have taken some trouble. But if you really want to make a splash, good personal stationery shows an attention to detail and appreciation of the finer things in life.

The smartest and most traditional letterhead are engraved, where letters are engraved or etched on to metal dies or plates which are then inked and stamped, creating a raised texture. Raised type may also be produced by thermographic printing. Designed to create the same effect as engraving, thermography is cheaper but is rarely as delicate and is often too shiny.

Flat printing, or lithography, is a less expensive option. Typically, the image (or type) will be drawn directly on to a flat metal plate using specialised pencils. A specialist ink is then applied to the image; the blank areas of the image will repel the ink whereas the drawing will hold it. A piece of paper (or an alternative material) will then be laid upon the image and the slab will pass through the litho press to print the image onto the paper. Litho printing excels in producing high-quality prints with sharp details and vibrant colours.

These days, digital printing is top-quality and, combined with a textured woven paper, can look very smart. It will not be as fine quality as litho printing but will be considerably cheaper and the economies of scale that are achieved through litho printing, which make it ideal for longer print runs and book-printing, are not really a factor when producing personalised stationery.

Design Considerations

Personal letters are traditionally written on writing paper with a minimum weight of 100 gsm to avoid show through. The standard size is either W6¼ x H8 inches (16 x 20 cm) or W 5½ x H 7 inches (14 x 18 cm). Conventionally, colours were white or muted (ivory, dove grey, eggshell blue); more contemporary styles may be in more adventurous colours.

A personal letterhead should include a postal address and telephone number (typically your mobile number). Do not use your name or email address in a letterhead used for purely social, personal correspondence. Going for the address-only option will instantly indicate that this letterhead is for private, not business, communications.

Consideration should be given to the layout, style, balance and size of the typeface, the spacing and positioning of each line of the address – not all printers will advise you on this or have the expertise. Ideally, you will be able to provide a pdf of your desired design.

As always, think carefully about the connotations of typography. An elaborate copperplate typeface, of the sort used for traditional invitations, will look decorative but may be over-flowery. It is probably better to opt for the clarity of a roman typeface, but you must be aware that typefaces can be very evocative. A classic typeface, such as Garamond, Sabon, Baskerville or Caslon will look elegant and restrained. Modern typefaces, such as Gill, Helvetica, Avenir, Frutiger or Futura, will look sleek and contemporary. If you seek to conjure a certain era, which you might feel reflects your personal style and taste, you can research online for available typefaces and find one that suits.

Envelopes for private correspondence should be of a suitable size, allowing for the writing paper to be folded only once or twice. Traditionally, they should have gummed diamond flaps and the colour should match the writing paper. Originally introduced as a means of preventing show-through and therefore increasing security, more expensive envelopes may be tissue-lined, wither in a matching or contrasting colour.

Correspondence Cards

These are an excellent addition to your stationery collection, ideal for short notes. They are always sent in an envelope.

They should be W6 x H 4 ½ in (15 x 11 cm), printed or engraved on card of a minimum of 300gsm. They include your name, address, phone number and, more frequently now, your email address. When a postal address is not permanent, a name, mobile number and email address will suffice.

A more utilitarian option is a flat-printed postcard, usually on white card, with name, address and telephone number printed in black above a keyline and laid out in landscape format.

Handwritten

If you’re going to the trouble to acquire good-quality, or bespoke, stationery, don’t let the side down by using biro. Invest in a good quality fountain pen and ink (ideally black or a sober blue-black, dark claret, or dark brown). It’s worth going to some trouble to find a nib that really suits your handwriting, as your writing will be undoubtedly more legible and attractive when you use a proper pen. Given that many of us feel that our handwriting is deteriorating because it is a skill that is under-used in these digital days, you will benefit greatly from the assistance a really good pen provides – there’s no point sending out a handwritten note on beautiful stationery if it is frustratingly illegible.

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