Tips & tricks for creating your own monogram

Tips & tricks for creating your own monogram

In our last monthly font post, we shared several fonts for creating monograms.  Now, we wanted to help you brainstorm how to create your own monogram using those fonts with graphic embellishments!

The Graphics Fairy site offers so many borders, frames, and old printer’s elements.  These images are perfect for developing your very own monogram to use on stationary, invitations, and in logos!

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} French label from The Graphics Fairy     4. MODERN SHAPE – {font} Party at Gatsby’s by Tysmagic     5. SINGLE INITIAL – {font} Champignon by Diogene  {graphic} Classic wreath from The Graphics Fairy       6. ABSTRACT / MIRRORED – {font} Geotica 2012 by Exljibris    7. THREE INITIALS – {font} Rosart by Roger White  {graphic} Vintage French frame from The Graphics Fairy     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 perfect for weddings

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!

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

Have a wonderful time designing and personalizing your monograms!
Emily

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