On a Personal Note

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Whether you’re a traditionalist or a technophile, chances are you love receiving handwritten letters in the mail. The intimacy of a note penned by a friend or family member on paper inspires the kind of thrill that even the most emoji-filled missive just can’t equal. This is doubly true when the paper in question happens to be thoughtfully conceived custom stationery. Imagine, for example, opening your mailbox and finding that a letter written on the above emerald-hued Emily McCarthy-designed stationery awaits…even the most hesitant pen-pal among us would be tempted to pick up a pen and write back.

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Custom stationery is truly an investment to be treasured. Timeless designs like the ones featured above by Ink Nashville (top), Paces Papers in Atlanta (above, left), and Dallas’s Missing Q Press (above, right) will never seem tired—especially if you stick to a palette that matches your preferences.

tsg-stationery-toatsandlaurelA simple, masculine monogram in a classic font is far from boring. Exhibit A: The above letterpress stationery by Houston-based Toast & Laurel, which makes a strong statement yet will stand the test of time.

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Injecting a little bit of flair via an unexpected pop of color or metallic to a traditional design, a la the featured selections from Memphis’s Stovall Collection (top and above, left) and Jackson, Mississippi’s Fresh Ink (above, right) adds personality without sacrificing any style points.

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We adore the above sketch from the Instagram feed of the talented Dallas-based Ellis Hill team. “The art of monograms” should not go unappreciated!

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As Erika Jack notes in her TSG Tip, envelope liners are a wonderful place to have fun and add a little whimsy. The patterns selected in the above examples by Fresh Ink (top and above, right) and Fair Haven, New Jersey-based Ink Papery (above, left) perfectly complement and complete the custom-designed creations.

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t’s never too early to teach little ones the importance of the thank-you note, and these stationery options, all available from The Dandelion Patch in Northern Virginia, will have kids reaching for their crayons to craft correspondence in no time.

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The best stationery is beautiful from front to back, including the always-important return address. Customized stamps, such as the above examples from Toast & Laurel (top and above, right) and Chattanooga’s Shadowbox Paperie (above, left), are excellent options that allow owners to experiment with a variety of inks.