Although it’s not uncommon to head to the greeting card aisle for special occasions like birthdays or weddings, Southerners know that life’s everyday moments are made sweeter with a handwritten note. 

“Sweet notes can accompany a home cooked meal for someone who is sick or a fun note in your child's lunchbox,” says Laurie Montgomery. “[Personalized stationery is] a collection of life moments that are made a little more special when you can look back on them years later.”

Laurie Montgomery is the owner of Nashville-based stationery and design company, Fanciful Ink.

If you’re going to invest in stationery, you might as well personalize it. And that’s not just because Southerners love monograms—personalized stationery adds a sentimental touch to your correspondence and gives the recipient a special keepsake that will always remind them of you.

We tried out a variety of personalized stationery, evaluating them based on their paper quality, design, and customization options. Our favorites range from modern to traditional and everything in between.

　　Our Top Picks

Papier Cornflower Notecard Set at Papier.com $33 Jump to Review Papier Classic Border Notecard Set at Papier.com $33 Jump to Review SoireeAllDayCo Wavy Scallop & Pink Floral Chinoiserie Stationery Set at Etsy Jump to Review ADesignsDenver Traditional Monogrammed Stationery Set at Etsy Jump to Review Jojostudios Personalized Stationery at Etsy Jump to Review MaryBDesignsShop Personalized Monogram Stationery Set at Etsy Jump to Review Minted Bold Border Stationery Cards at Minted Jump to Review Minted Swiss Personalized Stationery Cards at Minted Jump to Review

　　 Papier Cornflower Notecard Set

$33 at Papier.com Made with ultra-thick, premium paper, these stunning notecards are just as much of a joy to write on as they will be for loved ones to receive. The 7-by 5-inch size provides ample space for long, heartfelt thank-you notes (Mama would be proud), and there’s room on the back for more, should you need it.

The cornflower design is elegant without being overbearing—it still leaves lots of space on the page for a note. The thick paper was satisfying to write on, and no ink bled through to the other side.

The personalization on the bottom corner and the initials on the back are rather subtle, so keep this in mind if you want the personalization to be more front and center. 

While this notecard set doesn’t come with any embossing or letterpressing, the quality of the paper and the elegant design make it well worth the higher price tag (and anyone will feel special upon receiving it). 

Orientation: Landscape or portrait | Silhouette: Rectangle, scallop, or cornice | Size: 7 x 5 inches | Number of Cards: 10–1,000

　　 Papier Classic Border Notecard Set

$33 at Papier.com Papier’s second entry on our list is a modern twist on a classic look. It has a solid border with minimal text on the front. There’s a spot for a name at the top and an address at the bottom in a clear, easy-to-read font. It lends itself to both personal and professional use, making it a one-size-fits all set worth investing in.

Like the Cornflower set, the cards measure 7- by 5-inches, which is larger than your standard notecard. There’s lots of room for a note on the front, though do keep in mind that the back is a solid color, so you can’t carry your note over to the other side.

The paper is thick to the touch, and the color is rich and vibrant. This is another premium option for anyone who prefers a more modern, minimalist look to their stationery.

Orientation: Landscape or portrait | Silhouette: Rectangle, scallop, or cornice | Size: 7 x 5 inches | Number of Cards: 10–1,000

　　 SoireeAllDayCo Wavy Scallop & Pink Floral Chinoiserie Stationery Set

View on Etsy If whimsy is what you’re looking for, these floral, scalloped notecards deliver. The scalloped edges lend a softer look, and the feminine, floral print runs along the border and covers the entire back. The personalization is printed clearly along the bottom of the card. If the pink is not your preference, there is also a blue option from the Charleston-based Etsy shop.

Though not as thick as the Papier cards, these cards have a respectable weight to them (they’re printed on 110-pound cardstock) and ink never bled through to the other side during testing. At 5.5 by 4.25 inches, they are the standard notecard size. 

You can choose between unlined or lined envelopes (the latter will cost extra) with or without return labels already printed. These darling cards are sure to earn you lots of compliments. 

Orientation: Landscape | Silhouette: Scallop | Size: 5.5 x 4.25 inches | Number of Cards: 10–200

　　 ADesignsDenver Traditional Monogrammed Stationery Set

View on Etsy Southerners love a traditional monogram, so why not make a statement with your stationery in true Southern fashion? These notecards have a classic monogram at the top with a matching border. You can choose from over 30 different ink colors. 

We appreciate the simple design of these cards and the fact that there’s space on the back to carry over your message if needed. The 110-pound cardstock feels weighty, and ink doesn’t bleed through to the back. 

These are definitely a contender for the best value on our list at $1.50 or less per card, depending on the number you purchase. 

Orientation: Landscape | Silhouette: Rectangle | Size: 5.5 x 4.25 inches | Number of Cards: 8–100

　　 Jojostudios Personalized Stationery

View on Etsy Share your love for your pup with each handwritten note. This Atlanta-based Etsy shop offers multiple ways to customize, including options for ink color, envelope color, and dozens of dog breeds icons to choose from. 

It comes in a standard note card size, although the personalization does limit the writing space somewhat. Ink never bled through the paper, no matter how much pressure we applied, and the 110-pound cardstock feels about middle of the road in terms of weight. But the unique, watercolor dog icons set this stationery apart from the pack. 

Orientation: Landscape | Silhouette: Rectangle | Size: 5.5 x 4.25 inches | Number of Cards: 10–300

　　 MaryBDesignsShop Personalized Monogram Stationery Set

View on Etsy These personalized notecards from the Birmingham-based shop have an embellished initial at the top with a name printed along the bottom for a timeless, dignified look. The 110-pound cardstock feels high quality, and the design allows for abundant writing space. 

Those who prefer a minimalist look will love the simplistic design, and while we tested it in black and white, there are dozens of ink colors to choose from. It is printed on 110-pound cardstock that feels high quality. 

Orientation: Landscape | Silhouette: Rectangle | Size: 5.5 x 4.25 inches | Number of Cards: 10–300

　　 Minted Bold Border Stationery Cards

View on Minted Bright colors and a foil-pressed border make this a fun addition to any stationery collection. While we didn’t love the font, we did love the large, 7- by 5-inch size that provided more than enough space for letter writing. 

The 130-pound cardstock is nice and weighty, and the ink never bled through no matter how hard we pressed on the card with our pen. You can choose from several color themes, foil options, and paper types. 

Orientation: Landscape | Silhouette: Rectangle, rounded corners, or waved frame | Size: 7 x 5 inches | Number of Cards: 15–305

　　 Minted Swiss Personalized Stationery Cards

View on Minted This is the only stationery on our list with letterpressing—both the checkered border and typewriter-style personalization are letterpressed—adding texture and dimension to each notecard. 

Keep in mind that the shamrock green color, though very bright and cheery, is the only color option. You’ll pay a premium price due to the letterpressing, but it’s printed on substantial, lightly textured cotton paper.

Orientation: Landscape | Silhouette: Rectangle | Size: 5.5 x 4.25 inches | Number of Cards: 15–305

　　 Why Trust Southern Living?

Melanie Fincher is an editor for Southern Living who specializes in shopping content. Her Southern mama taught her to always write a thank-you note, and she always holds onto handwritten letters from friends and family. To find the best personalized stationery, we rounded up an assortment of different styles from different brands and makers and used them to write notes, evaluating them on paper quality, design, and customization options.

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