Best stationery

Send personalized correspondence to friends and family with the best stationery for every situation.

best stationery
stationery card and pen
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Many occasions in life might have you searching for the best stationery for a situation. Sometimes, that search is a frustrating one. Thank you notes are a common reason; blank stationery is especially nice for those, as you have plenty of room to express gratitude. Perhaps you're planning a wedding and need invitations that feel representative of you and your partner—or maybe it's a loved one's birthday, and you want to choose a card that makes them smile. We've put together a variety of stationery sets, cards, and letter paper; see which one piques your interest.

Best overall

stationery

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The Best Card Company Wildlife Splash watercolor blank note cards with envelopes

Watercolor whimsy

No matter the social situation, The Best Card Company lives up to its name with its line of watercolor blank note cards. Buyers can choose from twenty-two patterns and subjects; our favorite is the wildlife splash colorway, depicting exquisitely detailed woodland creatures. Its thick cardstock is sourced from 30-percent recycled materials, and every card comes with its own envelope.

Best value

stationery

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American Greetings stationery sheets and envelopes, pastel (80 count)

Solids that pop

Keep correspondence monochromatic but fun with American Greetings' stationery sheets. Ultra-saturated pastels lined with white borders that pop pair with envelopes for a uniform look. These sheets are standard letter size, making it easier to send a printed letter if you don't like writing by hand. For a nominal cost, your thank you notes, letters, and birthday cards will get a lot brighter.

Put a bird on it

stationery

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Papyrus blank cards with envelopes, watercolor hummingbirds (20 count)

Dreamy nature scenes

Jewel-toned envelopes complement Papyrus' sets of watercolor hummingbird and floral note cards. Their 7-by-5-inch dimensions are generous, allowing plenty of writing space for your heartfelt message. Twenty metallic gold seals are a thoughtful addition to the envelopes, which add a personalized touch and ensure they stay sealed on the way to their destination.

Aged and antiqued

stationery

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KiDEPOCH aged double-sided parchment-print paper

Makes authentic letters from the past

History nerds, teachers, and crafters: this stationery is for you. KiDEPOCH's double-sided, standard-sized paper is heavyweight but still compatible with your printer, making bulk amounts of invitations or party favors a piece of cake. Newspapers, treasure maps, and wanted posters are only a few ways to use this stationery. Both sides appear aged, wrinkled, stained, and singed, evoking the feel of paper from days past.

For pun enthusiasts

stationery

(Image credit: Amazon)

The Best Card Company Store Fun Puns blank note cards with envelopes (10 count)

A little levity

Thanks to my papa, my whole family has a deep affection for puns. This stationery stood out to me—cute, cartoonish objects, animals, and foods come to life with (the aptly named) Best Card Company Store's Fun Puns stationery. Ten cards with matching envelopes and blank interiors leave plenty of room for your good wishes. There are over a dozen more styles to choose from if puns aren't your cup of tea; the Floral Rascals option is reminiscent of pieces from the Golden Age of illustration.

Bottom line

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As you can see, stationery isn't just for old-fashioned correspondence, and there are infinite styles to choose from. All-purpose stationery should have a blank interior so that it can be used for any occasion. Our best overall, the Wildlife Splash watercolor blank note cards with envelopes, fits that bill perfectly. Amply sized cards and over twenty styles and patterns make this stationery set a universally appealing choice. 

If you're a maker or educator, choosing stationery with a more creative base design is best. KiDEPOCH's aged, parchment-print paper has some weight to it, and its standard dimensions fit easily in your printer. It appears realistic, whether used for pen and ink drawing or printing mass amounts of posters.

Freelance Contributor

Lili Angrisano is a Freelance Contributor for GardeningEtc and Real Homes. You'll find her designing her next cosplay, conquering her 700+ book (and counting!) Kindle library, or tending her apartment garden in her spare time.