How to Monogram (Order of Initials, Wedding Gifts)

Adding a monogram can make something seem extra special, unique, and considerate. The rules and examples below will help guide you in creating the perfect monogram for either an individual or a couple. All the monograms shown below were created using the Free Online Monogram Maker.

How to Monogram - order of initials, wedding gifts, married couple, single initial, etiquette, first name, middle name, last name surname.

Personal Monograms (For an Individual Person)

A personal monogram can consist of one, two, three, or four initials. The initials you choose along with color combinations and other features can all come together to create an item that is yours
and yours alone.

A. One Initial. There are no formal rules for a single-letter monogram. Either the initial of the first or last name can be used. This rule applies to men, women, unmarried women and even children.

First name: Charles
Middle name: Lee
Last name: Williams
Monogram individual one initial rules and guidelines

B. Two Initials. If using two initials, an individual monogram traditionally consists of first name and last name (surname) initials. Both initials should be same size. This format is also used for someone who does not have a middle name.

First name: Emily
Middle name: Marie
Last name: Brown
Monogram individual two initials rules and guidelines
 

C. Three Initials. If using three initials, the monogram traditionally uses all three names (i.e., first, middle and last names).

  • If all the letters in the monogram are the same height, then the ordering is first name initial, middle name initial, last name initial.

     
    First name: Charles
    Middle name: Lee
    Last name: Williams
    Monogram individual three initials all the same size rules and guidelines

  • If the monogram features an initial which is larger than the other two, then the larger initial is used for the last name. In this case, the correct ordering is first name initial (top or leftmost), last name initial, then middle name initial.

    First name: Emily
    Middle name: Marie
    Last name: Brown
    Monogram individual three initials rules and guidelines
     
    First name: Charles
    Middle name: Lee
    Last name: Williams
    Monogram individual three initials rules and guidelines

D. Four Initials. Four initials can be used when an individual has two middle names, two first names, or a hyphenated last name.

First name: Emily
Middle name: Amy
Middle name: Marie
Last name: Brown
Monogram individual four initials rules and guidelines
 

Couple Monograms (Joint Monogram)

A joint monogram can be a lovely way to customize your wedding, as well as your home after your big day. You might want to incorporate your joint monogram on stationary, engrave your monogram on crystal, or embroider your monogram onto linens. A monogram for a couple can consist of one, two, three, or four initials. Use the rules and examples below to help guide you in creating a perfect monogram.

 

A. One Initial. If using only one initial, traditionally couples use only the initial of their common last name as shown below.

 
First name (spouse 1): Emily
First name (spouse 2): Charles
Common last name: Williams
Monogram married joint couple one initial rules and guidelines
 

B. Two Initials. If the bride (or partner) decides to keep her given or maiden name, then the monogram for the couple would be the two last name initials sparated by typically a diamond (dots and other design elements can also be used.) Both initials should be same size.

Spouse 1:
    First Name: Emily
    Last Name: Brown

Spouse 2:
    First Name: Charles
    Last Name: Williams

Monogram married joint couple two initials rules and guidelines
 

C. Three Initials. If the bride (or partner) takes the groom’s last name, then the ordering goes wife’s first name initial, shared common last name initial, husband’s first name initial. The size of the initial for the common last name is slightly larger than the other two initials.

First name (spouse 1): Emily
First name (spouse 2): Charles
Last name: Williams
Monogram married joint couple three initials rules and guidelines
 

C. Four Initials. Four initials can be used when a married couple has different last names. If the monogram features two initials which are larger than the other two, then the larger initials are used for the last names.

Spouse 1:
    First Name: Emily
    Last Name: Brown

Spouse 2:
    First Name: Charles
    Last Name: Williams

Monogram married couple with different last names rules and guidelines
 

What to Monogram

Monograms might be exactly the personal touch some of your household items need. You can monogram throw pillows, pajamas, bed sheets, towels and even loafers. Through this customization, your household objects are truly personalized. If using initials with the same height, you can even use the free online stencil maker to help you create a monogram.

It is also very common to monogram kitchen items like napkins, coasters, china, and silverware. Phone covers are also a very trendy object to monogram. There is a lesser chance of losing your valuable items if they are monogrammed. Once monogrammed, other people are less likely to either accidentally or deliberately take something.

One of our personal favorite items to monogram is definitely your pendants and earrings. Not only do they look extremely elegant, but they also give your jewelry a personalized touch. Men can get their cuffs monogrammed to go with their professional office look. You can also get your notebook, wallet, and key chain monogrammed.

Other everyday household items that can be monogrammed include yoga mats, car mats and tissue covers. For fashion enthusiasts, it is very common to get handbags and purses monogrammed. Rings are a great item to monogram. Monogramming such items can make them last a long time and increase their sentimental value.

How to Add Monograms

Adding a monogram to your everyday household items is not only easy and fun, but also therapeutic. See online monogram maker for help in creating a monogram.

There are a few ways to get your monogram on your fabric. You can print it by using fabric printing or sew it in the fabric. You can also use sequins to decorate your monogram and give it a more elegant look. Another way to get your monogram on items is to paint it with a stencil.

Overview of Monogramming

While monograms can be a little complicated, just decide what works for you. Keep the following two points in mind.
1. There are no right or wrong methods. View your monogram as something that fits your personality.
2. Most personalized items can’t be returned, so it is important that you arrange your initials in the order that you want before having an item monogrammed.

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How to Monogram, DIY, order of initials, wedding gifts, married couple, single initial, etiquette, first name, middle name, last name surname.

Monogram Links, Examples, and Uses

Adding a monogram can make something seem extra special, unique, and considerate. Begin creating monograms in seconds using the free online monogram maker. Or try the split letter monogram maker to create personalized split alphabet monogram letters with various fonts. Select from fancy, simple, Halloween, Christmas, Easter, and sports. Learn how to monogram provides rules and examples that will help guide you in creating the perfect monogram for either an individual or a couple. For printable alphabet and numbers see lettering fonts.
 
Create personalized monograms for your home, for craft shows, for selling projects online, etc. These designs are also great for coloring pages and coloring sheets, crochet patterns, drawing and painting, svg files for cricut and silhouette, svg cut files, hobbies, holiday crafts, iron-on designs, kid crafts, laser cutting, needlecrafts, preschool printables, quilting, sewing, scrapbooking, sign making, string art (nail art), wall art, wedding crafts, woodworking projects, and other DIY arts and crafts.
 
Items commonly monogrammed include: aprons, bags, blankets, backpacks, cards, Christmas stockings and ornaments, coffee mugs, door mats, gifts, glasses, jewelry, luggage, mugs, napkins, necklaces, pajamas, pillows, robes, shirts, socks, stationery, and towels.
 
You can transfer these printable monogram designs to cardboard, cardstock, canvas, construction paper, fabric, felt, foam, glass, leather, metal, notebook paper, paper, parchment paper, photo paper, plastic, plexiglass, poster board, rubber, steel, vinyl, wax paper, wrapping paper, wood, and many other types of materials.
 
When downloading a monogram pattern or stencil, you can specify a new color (e.g., red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, brown, magenta, tan, cyan, olive, maroon, navy, aquamarine, turquoise, silver, lime, teal, indigo, violet, pink, black, white, gray, or grey). Your new design or pattern can be printed or downloaded in PNG, JPG, PDF, or SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) format.
 

Looking for More Monograms, Patterns, Stencils, Designs?

For more ideas on how to create personalized decor see the monogram maker and the split monogram maker. Learn how to create a family name sign or get inventive with the stencil maker. Finally, find patterns on all 50 US States.