Monogram Fonts, Frames, and Alphabets – What’s the Difference?
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Have you ever downloaded a monogram design only to find out that it wasn’t exactly what you were looking for? Maybe it’s a single letter when you wanted the entire alphabet. Or perhaps it’s a design with no text options at all. At first glance monogram fonts, frames, and alphabets look much the same but each will give very different results. Today I’ll highlight the differences for you.
Monogram Fonts
A monogram font is a decorative font suitable for creating monograms. It functions in the same manner as any other font in Studio.
In addition to text characters, monogram fonts often include style elements such as borders or frames that are created using a combination of upper- and lower-case letters.
Here are some examples:
Silhouette Design Store ID 206351
Typing either an upper- or lower-case letter results in a split-monogram capital letter. Add text using any font you desire.
Silhouette Design Store ID 262149
Typing either an upper- or lower-case letter results in a single stylized capital letter.
Silhouette Design Store ID 82329
Typing a lower-case letter will result in a single capital letter. Typing an upper-case letter results in a single capital letter plus frame. (Type aBc to get the example shown above.)
Note: Exercise caution when purchasing monogram fonts. In the Silhouette Design Store, it’s easy to tell which designs are fonts by looking at the thumbnail or the expanded design information window. If it is a true font, you will see the Aa symbol. Independent designers that sell on other platforms such as Etsy often list a design as a font when it is actually a vector image (see Monogram Alphabets below).
Monogram Frames
This one is pretty self-explanatory. Monogram frames are simply that – a frame to go around a monogram. You must add initials using a font or a monogram alphabet to complete the design.
Silhouette Design Store ID 148958
To separate a frame that is part of a monogram font, just release the compound path and delete any unwanted sections.
Silhouette Design Store ID 82329
Monogram Alphabets
Monogram alphabets are vector images of alphabetic characters. They are sold as either a single letter or sets of letters. They may come in one size/style or a combination of left, right, and center styles, with or without frames.
Silhouette Design Store ID 38104
Silhouette Design Store ID 138437
Each image is a separate graphic and not editable text.
Silhouette Design Store ID 138437
I hope this quick tutorial has helped you understand the differences between monogram fonts, frames, and alphabets so you know exactly which one(s) to choose for your next project. Still have questions? Leave me a comment below or message me on Facebook.
Better yet, come join our Silhouette Crafters by Design Facebook group. It’s a great place to ask questions, share information, and be inspired!
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Until next time,
Lycia is a lifelong crafter whose goal is to help others find value, confidence, and joy in whatever they create. She geeks out on using technology to supercharge craft projects with Silhouette Studio, Design Space, Glowforge, sublimation, etc.! Lycia teaches these skills and more through online tutorials and videos as well as in-person classes at both the local and national levels.
How can you tell if it is a single letter or that it is all the letters?
Hi Shirley! The first thing to do is check the thumbnail preview. Most of the time, single letter files will show three of the same letter in the preview (example: AAA). Or you may see several sets of letters. For example, a preview that shows AAA, BBB, CCC, DDD, EEE, FFF, indicates that the design contains the letters A-F. (Round Monogram Letters by Sophie Gallo – Design Store ID #81519 – is a good example of this. Otherwise you’ll have to look to the file description for more info. Hope this helps!