While the rules for monogramming these days are really anything goes, these are some great rules to try to follow!
- Bath robe 4 to 6 inches down from left shoulder seam, 2 inches to the right of the lapel (or centered between lapel and side seam).
- Shirt cuffs Top center of wrist, 1" from the bottom of the cuff. The monogram should face out (the bottom of the letters pointing toward the bottom of the cuff).
- Pique Shirt (golf, polo) 7 1/2 to 9 inches down from shoulder seam; centered between placket and side seam, or 4 to 6 inches from center.
- Sweatshirts Center of monogram should be 3 to 4 inches down from neck edge seam.
- Bath Towel 4 inches above the hem, if the towel is un-banded; if banded, place monogram 2 inches above the band. Use large letter size; 3-4 inches in height
- Hand Towel 2 inches above the hem, if the towel is un-banded; if banded, place monogram 1 1/2 inches above the band. Use medium letter size; 1 1/2 to 2 inches in height
- Washcloth 1 1/2 inches above the hem, if washcloth is un-banded; if banded, place monogram 1 inch above band. Use small letter size, 1/2 inch to 1 inch in height
- Sheets Centered horizontally and vertically
- Pillowcases Centered horizontally and vertically on edge
- A married couple sharing the same last name. Place the groom's initial on the left, and the bride's initial on the right, and the first letter of the last name in the center. This is the most traditional placement; it's also acceptable to have the bride's initial on the left, and the groom's initial on the right-especially having to do with linens.
- Someone who has no middle initial. Use a two-letter monogram, where the letters are the same size. The first initial should be on the left, and the last initial on the right.
- Someone who has a last name with an apostrophe (like O'Malley, O'Keefe). Use the first letter of the last name. Lisa Marie O'Keefe's monogram is LOM, with the O slightly larger than the L and M. If using letters that are all the same height, her monogram is LMO.
- Someone who has four names (Mary Ellen Ruth Hart). A monogram with letters of all the same size looks best: MERH You can also stack the letters to make a square: MERH
- A newly-married couple who are hyphenating both last names to form a new last name. (Douglas Peter Jamieson marries Gail Marie Nelson) Use a large J and N in the center, smaller D and G on the sides: DJNG. And, when all else fails, ask the person what their preference is. It will be fun share the planning, as well as the gift!
For a three-letter monogram
