Stationery vs. Stationary: The Key Differences Explained

As a custom wedding invitation designer, we at Ledgewood Fine Stationery know a thing or two about beautiful paper goods—but we also know how often people mix up stationery and stationary! While these words may sound identical, their meanings are quite different. Let’s break it down so you’ll never confuse them again.

Stationery: The Art of Fine Paper Goods

The word stationery (with an ‘e’) refers to writing materials, including paper, envelopes, and other elegant paper products. This is what we specialize in at Ledgewood Fine Stationery—creating exquisite, personalized invitations, thank-you notes, and wedding day paper suites that bring your vision to life.

Examples of Stationery in a Sentence:

• “I ordered custom stationery for my wedding invitations.”
• “High-quality stationery makes a lasting impression on your guests.”
• “At Ledgewood Fine Stationery, we design elegant paper goods for all of life’s special moments.”

Stationary: Staying Still

On the other hand, stationary (with an ‘a’) means something that is not moving or staying in one place.

Examples of Stationary in a Sentence:

• “The car remained stationary at the red light.”
• “A good tripod will keep your camera stationary for clear photos.”
• “Unlike our creativity, our love for fine paper is never stationary!”

A Simple Trick to Remember

A quick way to differentiate the two? Remember that stationery with an ‘e’ is related to envelopes, while stationary with an ‘a’ means at rest.

Why It Matters

If you’re shopping for elegant wedding invitations or personalized paper goods, you’ll want to be sure you’re looking for stationery (not stationary). At Ledgewood Fine Stationery, we take pride in crafting timeless, high-quality designs to elevate your special moments.

So the next time you’re writing a note—or standing still—remember the difference between these two commonly confused words. And if you’re ever in need of custom stationery, we’d love to help bring your vision to life!

Ready to Elevate Your Stationery? Contact us today to get started!