On the whole, I prefer things that the modern world has deemed “old fashioned”—wristwatches, real books, and engraved stationery.

So many things which were better in the past have been abandoned for supposed convenience.

Metropolitan, 1990

Engraved stationery seems like a luxury, but in fact, the cost per card is generally much less than you’d expect. Your engraving plates will last a lifetime and can be used again and again for different styles: correspondence cards, note sheets, and more. Engraving plates are an investment, but they are an investment in yourself. Beautiful stationery encourages correspondence, tells people with whom you write to that you are a serious individual (especially crucial when applying for jobs/schools/clubs), and it’s an elegant nod to a more refined past… at least, communication-wise.

Here are a few things to know before you delve into the world of engraved stationery.

How to Choose Your Stationery

With so much meaning imbued in a single piece of paper, how do you choose?

Cards or letters? Do you find yourself writing brief notes or longer letters? If the former, try a simple correspondence card. If the latter, letterhead is a good investment.

Should I engrave the envelope? If you’re in your “forever” home, or your “for a while” home, I would recommend adding engraved envelopes. If you aren’t sure where you will be in a few years, it may not be the best investment for you.

What color ink should I choose? Do you have a favorite color, or a color that is specifically meaningful to you? If so, I would recommend choosing that. I love blue, and I always choose a deep navy–timeless, elegant, and always appropriate.

What color paper should I choose? I far prefer ecru to bright white; I find bright white too jarring, and ecru softer.

Should I engrave my name or my initials? It depends on how you use your cards. If they are for primarily informal notes, your initials are fine. If for more professional correspondence, I would recommend your full name.

What font should I choose? Something easy to read, simple, and that fits you both now and in the future.

Do I choose an edge treatment? I always feel that a card looks incomplete without an edge treatment. Choose a color that coordinates (but doesn’t necessarily match) the ink you choose for your name.

Where do I buy my stationery? There are so many wonderful places to find engraved stationery. Dempsey & Carroll, Mrs. John Strong, and The Printery are my three favorites. The Printery offers beautiful custom designs, as does Mrs. John Strong. Dempsey & Carroll does as well, and offers a very reasonably-priced option for your first engraved stationery. You can take 10% off your Dempsey & Carroll order with SARAHC.

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Three Things to Keep in Mind

Etiquette tips and helpful hints when using your engraved stationery.

If you’re writing to a friend, cross out your name. Engraved stationery is designed to be more formal. Using engraved stationery to write a note to a close friend is wonderful, but a little-known form of etiquette is to cross out your name if you are writing to someone with whom you are close. Just draw a slash through your name and sign the letter with your first name only, as seen in the picture above.

Never send fully engraved cards to friends. Unless you are a public official or someone else with a great deal of correspondence arising from fame, sending fully-engraved cards with no personal note (including Christmas cards) is not acceptable. Always add a personal note, even if just a line or two, and always sign by hand.

Always use a fountain pen! Never type a note on engraved stationery, and never use a ballpoint pen or pencil–the thickness of the paper precludes the use of anything but a fountain pen.

How to Write a Thank-You Note

I love sitting down to write thank-you cards, and I love to receive them. It gives me great pleasure to spend my time in this particular ritual, remembering the pleasure of the event that prompts the card. However, when writing many at a time (after a wedding or birthday), it is a task that may begin to feel repetitive. That’s no excuse to let your standards slip! Find my personal tips on how to write a thank-you note here on Substack.