13 Stylish Ways to Elevate Your Stationery

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

In my house, there is one cardinal rule: Always have blank cards lying around. You never know when you’ll need to write a quick thank you, a celebratory message, or well wishes. There’s nothing quite like a handwritten note to really make an impression or show how much you care.

While specific or themed cards are nice, personalized stationery that can be customized for any occasion — and that represents the sender — is arguably more intimate. The envelope, paper, ink color, seal, and stamp you choose paint a picture of who you are before your words do.

Whether there’s a housewarming, loss, gain, birthday, or holiday — or you’d simply like to write a letter just because — there are endless reasons to send a little bit of love via snail mail. Be inspired by these stationery products offering stylishly thoughtful ways to express yourself.

Confettigram Card

Party telegram, anyone? Inklings Paperie’s Confettigram greeting cards create a celebratory mood for the friends, family members, and colleagues who receive them. The sustainably sourced card and clear, mailable envelope keep tangible colorfulness in the spotlight with confetti, sequins, and pom-poms floating around the message.

Affirmational Soft Touch Pens

Be Rooted’s Affirmation Soft Touch black-ink pen set comes in three calming pastel colors that will surely brighten the day while expressing appreciation, gratitude, condolences, or excitement for a loved one. The creators designed the writing implements, which glide smoothly across the page, to be positive reminders for everyone they touch.

Scallop-Edge Thank You Cards

Quirkiness meets elegance with LyndaLoves’ scallop-edge cards. The box of six handmade cards contains a copper-foil “Thank You” header with plenty of writing space on warm white cardstock for you to pour your heart out. The wave die-cut and bright orange envelopes provide an extra dose of joy.

Custom Address Stamp

StampByMe Studio’s custom return-address stamp makes it easy for every letter you send to boast a personalized touch. It’s self-inking and saves time when you’re finishing a note. Add your name, address, and design before checkout, and a one-of-a-kind stamp will be at the ready the next time you head to the post office.

Smiley Face Greeting Card

Nothing says hello quite like a classic smiley face. Equal parts nostalgic and eclectic, the Next Chapter Studio card is bright and buoyant. Handmade with a risograph printing technique known for the vivid colors and textures it produces, the blank note is suited for a funny, heartfelt, or uplifting message.

Cheetah Notecard Set

Fierce meets fiery with this haute Papier card set. The satisfying paper texture and thickness feature a wild design of a roaring cheetah. Topped with custom initials and your address, there’s the perfect amount of room for a short-but-sweet message that will hopefully leave a big impact.

Rainbow Gel Pens

Take your card game to the next level with the Bookfriends Rainbow vivid color gel pen. The writing tool comes in velvety inks representing every color of the rainbow, with a comfy grip to match. There’s also a hook so you can always have your signature writing color with you wherever you go.

Composition Greeting Card

Fashioned like the classic notebook in lime green and bright blue, Next Chapter Studios’ eight-pack delivers a neon punch of childhood, old-school fun. You can customize the memo on the front of the risograph “journal,” whether a coworker landed a big promotion or your yoga instructor had a major birthday.

Personalized Flat Note Cards

Looking to add a little bit of luxury and a lot of personality to your business notes or love letters? Consider Rifle Paper Co.’s Personalized Flat Notes. The unique cards invite senders to design their own doodle portrait fashioned as a personal logo. It’s like shipping a one-of-a-kind emoji with love.

Poppies and Ribbons Cards

If you’re still in your coastal grandmother era — or you simply enjoy ribbons, poppies, or butterflies — this timeless set of Good Juju Ink stationery is majestic, floral, and fitting for any occasion. The warm colors convey a cozy embrace, and the flat print and foil-stamped effect on bright white French paper deliver extra charm. A portion of proceeds goes to nonprofit organizations the owners care about, such as the Nature Conservancy, Black Futures Lab, and Artist Relief.

Wax Seal

Personalized wax seals needn’t be reserved for weddings or Bridgerton ball invitations. For a sophisticated, whimsical touch to any envelope, seal the deal with these handmade custom wax seals. They come with self-adhesion on the back of each seal to circumvent burned or sticky fingers.

Monogram Note Set

It’s impossible to go wrong with a classic monogrammed card. With a timeless design, Sugar Paper’s minimalistic striped design puts the focus on the note rather than the card, allowing the words to speak for themselves. You’ll get to tell your friends your stationery was crafted by hand using antique machinery.

Liquid Ink Pen

If you’ve been on the search for the perfect writing pen, consider Pilot’s Precise V5 RT as your writing implement. While it looks like a retractable modern pen, it writes like a feather quill. With its rubber grip, the roller-ball writing utensil is neither too thin nor too bold and gives that silky liquid look and tasteful flair that many desire in card lettering.

—
Mia Brabham Nolan is a staff writer at Shondaland. Follow her on Instagram at @yourstrulymia.


Get Shondaland directly in your inbox:
SUBSCRIBE TODAY

You Might Also Like

• 30 Anti-Aging Foods for Women That'll Keep You Feeling Young

• A Definitive Ranking of Popular Potato Chip Brands