Build a Stationery Wardrobe

Building a paper wardrobe is a professional and social asset. Our founders John Dempsey & George Carroll put an emphasis on the importance of owning personalized note sheets and correspondence cards by illustrating their different purposes.  A traditional Correspondence Wardrobe would consist of Correspondence Cards, Note Sheets, and Calling Cards.

            “Your stationery should be impressed with your personal signification. The absence of some distinctive mark on correspondence is deemed an ‘excessive economy,’ or indifference towards the person who is addressed. ‘It is not in fashion’ to do without it.” – The Art of Correspondence, 1880

Correspondence Cards

Correspondence cards are perfect for those who like to keep their letters short and sweet;  used for pen pals, thank you notes, and invitations, the simple correspondence card can be one of the most versatile of our paper offerings. While we can make your cards to your exact specifications the most commonly requested size is our #3 Correspondence Card. These cards are usually cut from 96# 100% cotton fiber paper, which means they are three times as thick as our single sheets, but for those who require the ultimate in fine papers, we also have 128# and 192# stock available.

Depending on how you plan to use your Correspondence Cards, you may choose to engrave your name, your monogram, or a family crest. You may also choose to have a border on your cards. Your choices of typestyles and colors for the paper, border and engraving ink help make your correspondence cards better reflect your personal style. 

Note Sheets

No stationery wardrobe is complete without sheets for those who prefer longer letters. The #3 sheet folds once to fit into our #3 envelope, which makes it the perfect companion to Our #3 Correspondence Card.

Our Sheets come in four sizes: The Petite Sheet (Size #1), The Note Sheet (Size #3), The Monarch or Executive Sheet (Size #7), and The Standard Letter Sheet (Size #8). The size you select is largely a matter of preference, but these sheets become more formal, generally speaking, as they move up in size. The #3 and Monarch sizes are the most common for non-business letters. Available in multiple sizes, paper colors, and printing methods, they can be a luxurious platform for any formal correspondence.

Because there is more room on a sheet than on a card, you may want to engrave your address at the top, underneath your name. Our Sheets are cut from our 1-ply stock (32 lb.), which features the Dempsey & Carroll watermark.

Calling Cards

Originally used to announce guests when they arrive at your home, the calling card was a simple and elegant way to leave your name with someone. A calling card is similar to a business card, except that it contains only non-business information.

Most Calling Cards are engraved with only a name, but for those who choose to include more, they might have the information you would normally give to a new social acquaintance, including your e-mail address, telephone number and home address. But however minimal your Calling Card, you can always hand-write additional information when you give it to someone—this, in fact, would make it even more personal.

The Calling Card is a fun way to be remembered and an opportunity to do something clever. Our Calling Cards come in five different sizes and can be made from 2-ply, 3-ply, 4-ply or even 6-ply stock. Many people also choose an unusual ink or typeface since the informal use allows for more creativity. In the end, whether you choose bright colors and witty touches or a classic style with just a name, an engraved Calling Card ensures that you make a memorable impression.

Having a versatile paper wardrobe is having the power to adapt to the type of correspondence needed for the occasion.