Centime Blog
  • Ultimate Guides
    • Gold Guides
    • Personalization Guides
    • Silver Guides
    • Size Guides
    • Gift Guides
  • Blogs
  • Shop

What is a Monogram and How to Monogram – A Complete Monogram Guide

By Ginny • November 10, 2017 • Blogs, Personalization Guides, Ultimate Guides
What is a Monogram and How to Monogram - A Complete Monogram Guide

A classic monogram gift is among the most popular personalized gift you can get for someone, especially for weddings, bridal showers or birthdays. This post will teach you how to write a monogram, be it personal monogram or couples’ monogram as well as give you suggestion of cool things to monogram.

WHAT IS A MONOGRAM? WHAT DOES MONOGRAM MEAN?

Monogram Signet RingOur Monogram Signet Ring

A monogram is a typography design that connects 2 or multiple letters, traditionally in a flowy, cursive fonts. The initials are often interlinked or wrapped together by a border, and they usually come together to be a calligraphy artwork by themselves.

A monogram often comprises a person’s initials  — often first, middle, and last name – or couples’ initials or family members’ initials. Monograms typically has 2-3 initials, with 3 being the most popular for aesthetic reasons.

Dainty Monogram NecklaceOur Monogram Necklace

The meaning of monogram is attached to what initials they capture. For example, bridal shower gift with 3-initial monogram often celebrates the new family name the bride is taking on.

On the other hand, the same 3-initial monogram on a Mother’s Day present could be the initial of all the kids or members of the family. So it is really up to you to select the initials that mean the most to you.

WHAT ORDER DO INITIALS GO IN A MONOGRAM?

As a jeweller and monogrammer, the most frequently asked questions we received is how to write a monogram and what order do initials go in a monogram.

The order of letters for a monogram can depend on acouple of factors, but roughly they can be categorized into 2 types: personal monogram and couples’ monogram.

PERSONAL MONOGRAM

A personal monogram often comprises three initials (first, last and middle name’s).

Traditionally a 3-initial monogram follows this order: first name initial,  last name initial and finally  middle name initial. This is because the center initial in a monogram is often the largest thus it often goes to your family name. That said, of course you could choose to have it in any order you wish.  

If someone doesn’t have a middle name, they often use a 2-initial monogram or 1-initial monogram with their family name.

Signet RingOur 1-initial Monogram Ring

A woman’s initials could change when she gets married. In that case, she would traditionally make her given last name her new middle name, and take the husband’s last name in place of her own. Consequently, their personal monogram changes by two letters, explaining why monogram gifts are among the most popular gift for bride as it celebrates her new identity as wife.

However, take note when you are buying monogram gifts that there are many ways that a couple could take on the name change. Some couples keep both their last names, separated by a hyphen. Some women are using their new names socially but not at work, where they keep the maiden names. Just remember there is no right or wrong way to monogram – it is just up to personal preference.

COUPLE’S MONOGRAM

Monogram Guide Centime

Couple’s monogram is another popular monogram choice for gifts, especially popular for utensils, stationery or beddings.

The traditional order of married couple monogram is groom’s first name initial, followed by the couple’s surname initial and the bride’s first initial. For example, the couple monogram for David and Victoria Beckham would be DBV, with the center initial being slightly larger.

What is a Monogram and How to Monogram - A Complete Monogram Guide

Recently there has been a shift in the traditional order to one with the women’s initial being first instead of the the man’s, i.e. VBD in the case of the famous couple.

What is a Monogram and How to Monogram - A Complete Monogram Guide

If the newlyweds decide to share a hyphenated last name, it can be reflected in the monogram for married couple. Victoria Adams and David Beckham would be the Adams-Beckham family and use V A-B D as their joint couple’s monogram.

Monogram Guide

If the bride keeps her maiden name, the custom monogram for couple will be a simple 2-initial monogram from the last names of the newlyweds. For example, Victoria Adams and David Beckhams will use AB or A*B as their joint monogram.
Monogram Guide Centime

TYPES OF MONOGRAM

Monogram Guide CentimeExamples of  Block Monogram and Monogram with Larger Center Letter 

There are 2 monogram types: one with the initials being the same size, also known as block monogram, and the more common one with the center initial being slightly larger.

          – Block monogram: is only used for personal monogram. In this case, your initials are ordered like your name: first, middle and last.
          – Monogram with larger center initial: is used for both personal and couple monogram. When used for personal monogram, the order will be first, last and middle name’s initial. Couple monogram will only use this style of monogram, and in the order explained above.

What is a Monogram and How to Monogram - A Complete Monogram Guide

When choosing a personal monogram gift, make sure to check the design to see which style is being used to enter the correct order of monogram. When choosing a couple monogram gift, avoid block monogram and go for the other custom monogram type.

THINGS TO MONOGRAM

There are many cool things to monogram, from robes and jewelry to doormats. But while a couple of personalized monogram objects could be special, too many of them could come across as a little self-centred. Opt for one or two monogram items, like silver tableware or a necklace to personalize your dinner table or outfit, and you are good to go!

I have selected some of the most modern and coolest monogrammed personalized gifts around the web that you might want to put on your registry:

Our personalized monogram necklace in block style is a modern take on the classic monogram necklace:

Block Monogram Necklace

This monogram bracelet doesn’t stop at being a cool bracelet, it can also charge your Iphone!

Monogram Guide Centime

This monogram sherpa pullover is a trending search on Etsy this winter:

Monogram Guide Centime

Our couple monogram signet ring is a new-age, minimalist take on the classic monogram signet ring:

Monogram Guide

Finally, this monogram leather charger roll-up is such a cool monogram gift for the tech-savvy, dapper man of your life: 

Monogram Guide

SHOP OUR RANGE OF 18K GOLD PLATED JEWELRY:What is a Monogram and How to Monogram - A Complete Monogram Guide

From Left to Right, Top to Bottom: Monogram Signet Ring –
Cut-out Circle Monogram Necklace – Monogram Initial Necklace –
Monogram Bangle Bracelet

If you have any more question on how to monogram or ideas on the best things to monogram, share them with me below!

 

Tweet
3
How to Clean Gold - Gold Care Guide
How To Take Fingerprints For Your Fingerprint Jewelry

About the Author

Ginny

Hello, it's Ginny. I am a mother of two beautiful kids and I love to do craftwork in my spare time. I started Centime out of a dream to create handmade gifts with a timeless appeal and personal touch. With this blog, I wish to impart my knowledge from years as a jeweler so that you can pick out gifts of everlasting love.

You Might Also Like

  • How to Layer Necklaces

  • Infinity Symbol Meaning – What Does Infinity Mean?

  • How To Take Fingerprints For Your Fingerprint Jewelry

  • How to Clean Gold - Gold Care Guide

    How to Clean Gold – Gold Care Guide

3 Comments

  • Reply Maggie Combs February 16, 2018 at 5:20 am

    If you buy a monogrammed piece of silver, can it be recovered with enough silver to put a new. Monogram on it?

    • Reply Ginny March 1, 2018 at 4:34 am

      Hi,

      If the monogram engravings is not too deep, in theory you can buff down the surface of the monogram side to remove the monogram, then engrave it with fresh one. But of course this make the silver thinner, and might change the shape of some. I would advise you to bring it to a silversmith or jeweler to get exact advice on your particular piece.

      Ginny

  • Reply Necklace Length Guide: How To Measure & Choose The Right Necklace Length | Centime Blog June 13, 2018 at 3:23 am

    […] >> What is a monogram […]

Leave a Reply Cancel Reply

Hi, I’m Ginny. I run Centime.

Hi, I’m Ginny. I run Centime.
Hi, I'm Ginny. Welcome to Centime's blog. I started Centime because I was sick of generic, branded gifts with no soul. As I have always loved to make my own jewelry and gifts, I dreamed of creating handmade gifts with a timeless appeal and personal touch. Centime was born out of that dream, and I am grateful to be living my dream everyday. All the posts in this blog were written by me, using years of experience as a jeweler so that you can pick out the perfect gifts that are not just gifts but symbols of everlasting love. Love for keeps, we call them. My colleagues and I also occasionally post inspirations and customer stories that touch our heart. We will also keep you updated of any changes going on in our store. I hope you enjoy this blog, and keep loving <3
Ginny of Centime

Subscribe & Follow

Find us on Facebook

Popular Posts

Necklace Length Guide: How To Measure & Choose The Right Necklace Chain Length

On March 8, 2017
01

Father’s Day Gift Ideas For Every Dad And Budget

On June 14, 2017
02

Fineness of Gold: 10k, 12k, 14k, 18k and How To Tell If Gold Is Real

On July 29, 2017
03

Categories

  • Blogs
  • Gift Guides
  • Gold Guides
  • Personalization Guides
  • Silver Guides
  • Size Guides
  • Ultimate Guides

Shop Now

  • Previous
  • Next
DIFFERENT BETWEEN GOLD FILLED AND GOLD PLATED

Latest Posts

  • How to Layer Necklaces

    July 3, 2018
  • Infinity Symbol Meaning – What Does Infinity Mean?

    May 4, 2018
  • How To Take Fingerprints For Your Fingerprint Jewelry

    November 20, 2017
Facebook Instagram Pinterest

Centime Gifts Blog: Jewelry Guides and Stories.

Copyright © 2017 Centime Gifts. All rights reserved.