Monogrammed Dog Bowl

Why is personalization such a great option to have on towels, bedding, etc.?

Personalized items make a statement about you and your personal style. Personalize your bath towels or entry mats to add an air of elegance. Choose interesting embroidery styles to dress up an otherwise simple item or add a splash of contrasting color. Reminiscent of hotel style and fine custom tailored clothing, personalization says that this item was customized for me.

What are the most popular personalized gifts to give (or to have in your home)?

Towels, vanity trays, soaps, throws, picture frames, entry mats, mailboxes, house plaques, pool towels, gifts, accessories, holiday tree skirts and stockings, wall décor, and sheets are all items that lend themselves perfectly to personalization.

Why are these items popular?

They welcome guests to your home, make everyday textiles more distinctive, add a splash of fun to seasonal items, or show family pride.

What's so great about Frontgate's personalized bath towels and bedding?

Unlike some retailers that charge for personalization, ours is complimentary. Also, we offer a large selection of monogramming options, ranging from simple to highly decorative, with coordinating threads for every color. Most of our items are specially designed to allow for a monogram because we know it makes that item a little more special.

What's more popular now — 1-letter initials, 3-letter monograms, or adding your full name to items?

The choice is yours, as this is really a personal preference based on how you're planning to use your customized item. For instance, if it is an item used by the whole family (entry mat, mailbox, guest towel) it is likely to be a single letter (first letter of the family name), or in some cases the entire last name. If an item is used by a single adult or an adult couple, it is likely that it is either the single family initial (if used by both people or the male), or the female's maiden monogram (though the couples' monogram can also be used but is more contemporary). On barware, it is traditionally the male's initials or monogram or single last initial. A full name is most likely to be used on more whimsical items (pool towels, kids' items) and tends to be more casual.

I see you're adding new fonts to Frontgate's collection — why did you choose each of these specific fonts?

There are now 10 total font styles available, chosen to accommodate a broad range of personal and home décor styles, traditional to contemporary, masculine to feminine, ornate to streamlined, single letter to three initials, monograms, and names. They were also chosen to be more unique than what most other retailers offer, creating an even greater feeling of personalization in the final item. We wanted to have a range of monogram styles to offer an option for everyone's taste.

Are there different fonts for different uses? For instance, if I'm trying to update my bathroom vs. giving a personalized item as a gift, do I want to choose one type of font over the other? If so, why?

In addition to the uses mentioned above, here are some guidelines for both gifts and self-purchases:

1. If the item is to be used by the whole family or in a public space in the home (like powder room, kitchen, guest room), be inclusive of the entire family by using the last name initial or the entire family name.
2. The husband's or male's monogram, last initial, and 3-letter initial are more commonly used on barware, though the couples' monogram can also be used.
3. If the item is to be used in a private space (master suite, bedroom), be more intimate by using the family last name initial to honor the marital union. Use the female's maiden monogram to imitate a trousseau (mostly on bedding and bath accessories), or be more contemporary and use the joint couple monogram. Though perfectly acceptable, it is not as traditional to use a man's monogram on bedding or bath accessories.
4. If the item is for a younger single person or child, a single last initial, 3-initial monogram, or full name are all appropriate, and should be tailored more to the personal style of the user and the type of gift. It is wise not to use a child's full name on items that will be used outside the home (backpacks, etc).