Digitized Handwriting for TY Cards?

JCbride2015 · April 2014

I just went to a wedding show and had an interesting chat at the booth for these people: http://www.graciouswedding.com. Basically, they scan your handwriting to create a "font" out of your handwriting (which, just in itself, I think is super awesome). Then you type your TY cards on their website, and they print and mail the card for you.

My first inclination was sort of... EW. I just find this less personal than actually putting pen to paper. TY cards really aren't that hard, and I love receiving handwritten mail. The lady at the booth was talking about how "painful" it is to sit and write TY cards, and I said I didn't really mind spending the time. In fact, I enjoy adding a little personal note and using it as a way to keep in touch with someone. She seemed shocked that I wasn't all whiny about having to send TY cards. Really, lady? If somebody took the time and money to shop for a gift for us, I sure as hell don't mind sitting down to write a card.

But on the other hand, I have a rheumatoid problem and can't write with a pen for more than 5-10 minutes. Typing is much easier for me. So, this would mean instead of spreading out the cards over several weeks and doing only a few at a time (or making Fi write them all), we could just type them and get them done in a few batches. Plus, anything that gets more people to actually write their TY cards and send them quickly can't be all bad.

Thoughts?

Blue_Bird · April 2014

Your first instinct was correct: Ew.

If you split them between the two of you, they can be done in a couple of weeks without sitting for an hour.

Sugargirl1019 · April 2014

I'm with you that a handwritten note is so much more thoughtful than the typed one pretending to be your handwriting.

I would find it strange to receive a typed TY, but I have never received that before. The only typed thing I've received is a Christmas update letter that everyone gets. Nothing personal.

I would prefer to handwrite my own TYs, and to receive a handwritten one. Unless I knew the sender had a disability that made writing a hardship.

JCbride2015 · April 2014

Blue_Bird said:

Your first instinct was correct: Ew.

If you split them between the two of you, they can be done in a couple of weeks without sitting for an hour.

I guess I should be clear: I have basically zero interest in really doing this, given my above-mentioned love of handwritten things even if it hurts my hand like a bitch to write. Just wanted to offer this up as a general discussion topic. I'm sure as our society moves more and more digital, we will continue to see the disappearance of handwriting. And I just don't know if I'm OK with that.

HisGirlFriday13 · April 2014

I kind of like the idea of having my handwriting into a(nother) font.

A graphic artist friend of mine turned parts of my handwriting into a font for her job (she works in travel.)

Otherwise, your first instinct is right, which of course you know.

pinkcow13 · April 2014

I feel like I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, you can have a bunch sent out a lot faster. On the other hand, it definitely feels a lot less personal. I think at the end of the day I would hand write my cards, even though I can't write too long without my hand hurting (FI has terrible handwriting so I'm planning on sending ours out). Like you said though, times are becoming more digitized. I think someone recently posted that cursive will no longer be taught at schools!

Sugargirl1019 · April 2014

HisGirlFriday13 said:
I kind of like the idea of having my handwriting into a(nother) font.

A graphic artist friend of mine turned parts of my handwriting into a font for her job (she works in travel.)

Otherwise, your first instinct is right, which of course you know.

I would love my handwriting turned into a font. I would have fun writing my emails and other documents on the computer! (Not for business though!)

JCbride2015 · April 2014

Sugargirl1019 said:

I kind of like the idea of having my handwriting into a(nother) font. A graphic artist friend of mine turned parts of my handwriting into a font for her job (she works in travel.) Otherwise, your first instinct is right, which of course you know.
I would love my handwriting turned into a font. I would have fun writing my emails and other documents on the computer! (Not for business though!)

Yeah, I would just love to have the font for fun! I would send personal emails in it.

HisGirlFriday13 · April 2014

JCBride2014 said:

Sugargirl1019 said:

HisGirlFriday13 said:
I kind of like the idea of having my handwriting into a(nother) font.

A graphic artist friend of mine turned parts of my handwriting into a font for her job (she works in travel.)

Otherwise, your first instinct is right, which of course you know.
I would love my handwriting turned into a font. I would have fun writing my emails and other documents on the computer! (Not for business though!)

Yeah, I would just love to have the font for fun! I would send personal emails in it.

I do use it on my emails! And I have a file of it that I can use when I send letters. It's kind of fun.

Sugargirl1019 · April 2014

I'd figure out how to get the knot posts in my handwriting.

You thought paragraph formatting made it hard to read? You just wait!

Jk I have ridiculously legible cursive and that is why I knew I would never be a doctor.

abrewer5 · April 2014

JCBride2014 said:

I just went to a wedding show and had an interesting chat at the booth for these people: http://www.graciouswedding.com. Basically, they scan your handwriting to create a "font" out of your handwriting (which, just in itself, I think is super awesome). Then you type your TY cards on their website, and they print and mail the card for you.

My first inclination was sort of... EW. I just find this less personal than actually putting pen to paper. TY cards really aren't that hard, and I love receiving handwritten mail. The lady at the booth was talking about how "painful" it is to sit and write TY cards, and I said I didn't really mind spending the time. In fact, I enjoy adding a little personal note and using it as a way to keep in touch with someone. She seemed shocked that I wasn't all whiny about having to send TY cards. Really, lady? If somebody took the time and money to shop for a gift for us, I sure as hell don't mind sitting down to write a card.

But on the other hand, I have a rheumatoid problem and can't write with a pen for more than 5-10 minutes. Typing is much easier for me. So, this would mean instead of spreading out the cards over several weeks and doing only a few at a time (or making Fi write them all), we could just type them and get them done in a few batches. Plus, anything that gets more people to actually write their TY cards and send them quickly can't be all bad.

Thoughts?

I have rheumatoid arthritis and my hands hurt after 5 notes, so I feel your pain! I'm dreading doing the wedding thank you notes because FI has awful handwriting and can't help me.

I think the idea is interesting, and will become more common later on, but I don't think it's right and it's not something I would do personally. A hand written card is best. Then again, judging by the message boards more often people aren't sending thank you's at all, so I'd prefer this over nothing.

doeydo · April 2014

*Her movie spolier*

That's basically like Joaquin Phoenix's job in the movie Her. He would compose letters and the computer would write it in the person's handwriting and everything. There was a whole company doing it.

melbelleup · April 2014

Double Ew. I was able to write out all my TY cards for my shower + some gifts that trickled in by myself in two days. It was about 60 TY cards. We're inviting 140 couples but already down a good bit.

KickAssMOH · April 2014

I'm so sorry for your hand pain, and if I attended your wedding, I would understand why I was receiving a printed card and would not think less of you for it. On the other hand, you DO have a fiance who can write, right? He should take on some of the work, and if he hand-wrote all of your TY's then you wouldn't have to worry about the people who might be offended by a printed card.

SammiNJonni · April 2014

I would love a font in my handwriting. I would stil never do a printed thank you even if the font was what my writing looked like. I was so upset when I received a generic printed thank you and the couple didnt even sign their own names.

JaxInBlue · April 2014

Add me to the list of PPs who want the personal font! I love that idea!

I'm even okay with the idea of a typewritten thank you note. I understand some people don't like their handwriting or feel it is legible enough to others, and that typing a note can relieve some of that stress. (I'd rather get a personal, typewritten thank you than nothing.)

With this though, it just seems like it's complicating things. If you are going to take the time to go through their process, it doesn't seem like it would be much for time to do something similar at home, with the added bonus of adding a personal signature. I mean, order some flat cards from Vista Print and you're almost there.

But the font... I would totally do that.

Maggie0829 · April 2014

KickAssMOH said:

I'm so sorry for your hand pain, and if I attended your wedding, I would understand why I was receiving a printed card and would not think less of you for it. On the other hand, you DO have a fiance who can write, right? He should take on some of the work, and if he hand-wrote all of your TY's then you wouldn't have to worry about the people who might be offended by a printed card.

This. Why is it that a lot of brides forget that they have a FI that can take over the responsibility of writing the TY notes if they can't? OP you could type out what you would like the TY cards to say (I did this so it was easier to write them out in the cards...less thinking about what to say and more focus on not messing them up) and then have your FI write them all.

KeptInStitches · April 2014

I'd be perfectly fine with a personalized typed note. I broke my arm about 6 years ago and it never healed right. Sometimes I can't write, can't type - I just healed that badly. I'm hoping that it doesn't flare when the time comes to do thank-you notes for wedding gifts / any bridal showers I might be given.

theartistformerlyknownas · April 2014

A typed thank you note wouldn't be the WORST thing in the world, but a handwriting font reminds me of the junk mail I get from car dealers where it's made to look like the address is handwritten in blue pen, sometimes with a note scrawled off to the side like "ps, looking forward to seeing you!" Those go directly into the trash.

I would think a handwriting font would be sweet for emails, but nothing that would be printed.

Inkdancer · April 2014

I think something like this would be great for my mother, who has had surgery for severe carpal tunnel but still experiences significant pain in her wrists. But I don't think she'd go for it--she'd rather write cards and letters by hand!

HisGirlFriday13 · April 2014

Also, I want to add that if I knew you had RA issues (or any kind of physical discomfort issues that make writing a challenge, like carpal tunnel or whatever), I wouldn't AT ALL side-eye a typed TY note. I'd just be pleased to have gotten one.

On Pg. 37 of 'Miss Manners' Guide to Rearing Perfect Children,' a couple wrote to her to say that between the first of April and the middle of May they sent out nine gifts for various things -- weddings, babies, graduations, birthdays -- and received in return eight thoughtfully worded thank-you notes and one thank-you phone call from a dear friend with MS who can no longer write. (Miss Manners replied that their letter to her was also a gift and she was very grateful to them for having told her that people still thanked other people.)

If Miss Manners is OK with non-written thank-yous due to medical reasons, you know it's copacetic.

grumbledore · April 2014

Ew is right. Have your FI write them if your condition won't allow it. But always, always, always hand write thank you notes.

JCbride2015 · April 2014

JCBride2014 said:

So, this would mean instead of spreading out the cards over several weeks and doing only a few at a time (or making Fi write them all), we could just type them and get them done in a few batches.

Geez, guys, I didn't forget I have a Fi! He's right there in the OP, I just wouldn't want to make him write every single one.

And no, I'm not actually doing the digital notes thing. I can write a few at a time, Fi can write a few at a time, and we'll get them done. I really like the personal touch of handwriting.

But I wouldn't side-eye somebody with a medical problem for sending me a typed TY note, or even a phone call. I'd rather be thanked with a typed note or phone call than not at all.

One other funny thing just occurred to me about this company. How many people in our lives would really recognize our handwriting? Probably just my parents, Fi, sister, and a very small handful of friends. So when people who don't even recognize the handwriting receive a card in a handwriting font, they probably would have no idea it's anything special to match your own writing. They'll just think it's any old "cute" font. So for most of the people receiving the card, the whole point would be sort of lost on them anyway.

Maggie0829 · April 2014

HisGirlFriday13 said:

Also, I want to add that if I knew you had RA issues (or any kind of physical discomfort issues that make writing a challenge, like carpal tunnel or whatever), I wouldn't AT ALL side-eye a typed TY note. I'd just be pleased to have gotten one.

On Pg. 37 of 'Miss Manners' Guide to Rearing Perfect Children,' a couple wrote to her to say that between the first of April and the middle of May they sent out nine gifts for various things -- weddings, babies, graduations, birthdays -- and received in return eight thoughtfully worded thank-you notes and one thank-you phone call from a dear friend with MS who can no longer write. (Miss Manners replied that their letter to her was also a gift and she was very grateful to them for having told her that people still thanked other people.)

If Miss Manners is OK with non-written thank-yous due to medical reasons, you know it's copacetic.

I would side-eye a typed note because that would tell me that her H wouldn't step up to the plate and help his new wife write thank you notes to THEIR guests.

lyndausvi · April 2014

Outside of a medical condition I would find it impersonal.

I think It would be more the cynic in me. People are overall getting lazier. I would more than likely assume that this really isn't a personalized note, but a cut and paste, change the names and gift description thing. Especially when it comes to weddings and showers because of the shear amount of TY you should have to write.

I think it would be more like people who justify the use of labels because of their handwriting. Makes since I guess, I but I really don't buy it. Let's face it, mail merge and printing labels is way faster (once you have the addresses in the book). The right person can do a mail merge for TY notes will fill in the blank fields for names and gifts.

That all said, ANY thank you note is better than NO thank you note.

KeptInStitches · April 2014

To be perfectly honest, most thank you notes tend to be near carbon copies of each other, change the names, change the gift descriptions. Why does it make more difference that it's handwritten than typed? The same words are all still there and are personalized to the same degree.

At least as devil's advocate.

HisGirlFriday13 · April 2014

KeptInStitches said:

To be perfectly honest, most thank you notes tend to be near carbon copies of each other, change the names, change the gift descriptions. Why does it make more difference that it's handwritten than typed? The same words are all still there and are personalized to the same degree.

At least as devil's advocate.

I wrote almost exactly the same thing in every single TY note:

Dear So-and-So --

It was so wonderful to see you at the wedding! We were so glad you could be a part of our special day. It meant so much to us to be surrounded by friends and family.

Thank you so much for the <insert gift here.> We really enjoy <insert what you do with gift> and we look forward to <using gift.> Your generosity is so touching and thoughtful.

Much love,

HisGirl and DH.

tabathafaye · April 2014

Handwriting font or not you can still tell when something is printed. To me trying to fake handwriting is worse than typing Comic Sans.

Hysilvinialithibel · April 2014

To me, the important things are that it is personalized to me/us and that it comes in the mail. I wouldn't care if it was typed or printed, although I would think it was odd if it was not a card.

I'm not sure if I would notice if someone had their handwriting printed. I wouldn't be holding it up to the light to see if it was really pen ink.

TerriHugg · April 2014

Were you at the Wedding Salon show event yesterday? I was there and saw this company. While, I prefer handwritten thank you notes I wouldn't side eye a typed one that looked handwriting. It's better than no card at all. As long as the message is personalized for me I'm happy.

I'm so sick of thank you cards that you can tell were basically carbon copies of the others with just a few words changed. I take personalized messages seriously and spent a considerable amount of time making sure each message in my thank you notes to guests were personalized for each person.

tabathafaye · April 2014

Hysilvinialithibel said:

I wouldn't be holding it up to the light to see if it was really pen ink.

I do it all the time. LOL. Must be a quirk.

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