How to Make a Monogram

In this post we will learn How to Make a Monogram using some of our favorite free fonts. We wanted to help you brainstorm how to create your own monogram using those fonts with graphic embellishments to add some additional interest. Here on this site we offer so many borders, frames, and old printer’s elements. These types of images are perfect for developing, and coming up with, your very own monogram design ideas to use on stationary, invitations, and in logos, or whatever else you can think of! Here are some layout ideas to get you started.

1. INTERLOCKING – {font} Monogram KK by Koeiekat     2. SIMPLE ORNAMENTS – {font} Elephant by Matthew Carter  {graphics} Graphic separators from The Graphics Fairy      3. LETTER SEAL – {font} Debonair Inline by Nick’s Fonts  {graphics} Laurel Frame from The Graphics Fairy     4. MODERN SHAPE – {font} Party at Gatsby’s by Tysmagic     5. SINGLE INITIAL – {font} Champignon by Diogene  {graphic} Classic Wreath Frame 6. ABSTRACT / MIRRORED – {font} Geotica 2012 by Exljibris    7. THREE INITIALS – {font} Rosart by Roger White  {graphic} Vintage French Oval frame Graphic    8. STACKED – {font} Ecuyer DAX by Daxad     9. SQUARE FRAME – {font}  Eutemia by Bolt Cutter Design  {graphic}  Fleur de Lis square frame from The Graphics Fairy     10. CALLIGRAPHY EMBELLISHMENT – {font} Respective by Mans Greback  {swashes} Nymphette by Nymphont    11. CASUAL & INFORMAL – {font} Harabara Hand by Andre Harabara     12. SIMPLE STACKED – {font} Elephant by Matthew Carter

Laurel Wreath Frame

Narrow Down By Style.  Are you looking for ornate script? Art nouveau letters? Do you want your monogram to be very casual looking, like handwriting? If you know the period style you want, you will save hours of searching through font sites. Many font sites are categorized by style; start there if you feel like you’ll be overwhelmed.

Preview Your Letters.  Many download sites let you type your own text to preview a font before download. Always preview the letters you’re going to use in your monogram to see if the look & letters are what you really want before you take the time to download and install the font.

Search Wisely.  Are you looking for cool borders or elements to use with your letters? A few key words you may want to search on The Graphics Fairy site or other clip art repositories include:  printer’s ornaments, printer’s elements, dingbats, calligraphy swashes, lines, borders, labels, frames, and wedding.

Letter Pulled from an 1877 Alphabet 

Know How You’ll Use It.  Is your monogram going on wedding stationary? Is it just for fun? Will it be a web logo? Are you going to be using it for commercial purposes? What you’re going to do with the monogram will help narrow down which fonts you can use for free, and which ones require payment or a donation. For example, a personal use only font is okay for a friend’s baby shower invites, but not okay for a new line of invites you’ll be selling on Etsy. Read the files and restrictions that come with free fonts to make sure you’re abiding by the author’s requirements.

Play Around.  Use the inspiration ideas above. Go back through frames and fonts that you especially love. Rearrange and stack letters until you find something that speaks to you. Play with color! Though we didn’t use much color in this post, color opens up TONS of options and really makes the varieties endless!

This Oak branch is a great Masculine option for Monograms

Rules Cheat Sheet for Monogram Design Ideas

Here’s a handy-dandy cheat sheet for monogram rules

I hope you enjoyed this post on How to Make a Monogram and that you find all of these Monogram Design Ideas helpful. Have a wonderful time designing and personalizing your monograms!
Emily

*A note about downloading, installing & using fonts:  There are a lot of sites out there that offer free fonts. Some are set up mostly to display ads, and others take you to suspicious files & links. Even some legitimate sites run confusing ads that feature images that say “download”, when it’s for another product. While we don’t recommend one free font website over another, we have tried to link to the more straightforward sites to make finding the font easier for you. If you click on anything that looks like an application or .exe file, stop, it’s not what you want, and is probably malware. Don’t forget to follow the site’s specific directions to download and install the font. If you are a crafter and will be selling your work, please be sure to read any files or information that comes with the font. Some fonts have restrictions on the commercial use of a font for mass production quantities and on the sharing / redistribution of the font file itself.