Lay Out Initials Deed For Free

Someone with two surnames, like Von Trapp or Garcia Marquez, can represent both names with a two-letter monogram. Or they can use both surnames with their first name in a three-letter monogram (first-last-last) as long as the letters are all the same size.

For a married couple, the bride's first initial comes first on the left, the surname of the couple in the center, and the groom's first initial on the right, in that order. This joint monogram is used mainly on items that the couple will use together, such as sheets in their bedroom and towels in their bathroom.

A two letter monogram in traditional format will place both letters side by side the same size, and like the cypher can be used to either combine a first and last name or to combine two last names. A single initial can represent either the first or last name.

Put together your monogram using the first initial of both of your last names, without any ampersand, plus sign, or unifying design element. For example, John Doe and Jane Smith would become SD, with the wife's initial traditionally taking first place in the order.

A traditional 3 letter monogram is the person's first name initial on the left, the last name initial in the middle & larger, and the middle name initial on the right. If the monogram is for a married woman, it has been traditional to substitute her maiden name initial for her middle name initial on the right.

One of the most common ways to monogram a name with four letters is to have all four letters in a row in order "First," "Middle," "Middle," "Last," or, for example, "MSXW." For this type of monogram, sometimes called a "block" monogram, all the letters are the same size and are usually in an unembellished font.

Traditionally, a monogram reads First Name Initial, Last Name Initial, Middle Name or Maiden Name Initial. With the Last Name Initial being the larger Middle Initial.