DIY: Louis Vuitton Mon Monogram Personalisation

DIY: Louis Vuitton Mon Monogram Personalisation

Louis Vuitton has a personalisation service whereby you can get several stripes, as well as 3 initials painted on some of their bags and accessories in the Monogram and Damier Graphite canvas prints. I think the designs are screen printed over the canvas (because they are so flawless and are very uniform) using special pigment before being varnished, so I decided to try it myself!

  

Louis Vuitton's Passport cover with Mon Monogram

Sadly I don't have the means to screen print myself, so I decided to paint them instead.

You will need;

• Acrylic paint, I find the vibrant colours and white look the best (Acrylic paint is very hardwearing so will not need touching up very often)
• Paintbrushes (the smaller the better)
• Tape (to get crisp lines, frog tape works really well)
• Something to paint on (a cardholder or pencil case are great, but you could do it on pretty much anything)
• A pencil (to draw out the shapes)
• tracing paper
• Printed block letters (google "3D letters" and print off one of the images of the alphabet)

• 3d letters

Method (for initials)

1. First, Trace the letters from your printed page using a pencil and tracing paper over the letters

2. Next, transfer the tracing onto the item you want to paint and if needed make the lines bolder with a pencil or diluted acrylic paint

3. Place tape over any straight lines, this will give a super crisp finish when peeled off.

3. Now you can paint the details of the letters, begin with the part of the letter that is "behind" the front of the letter so the front stands out and looks realistic

Paint the part "in shade" first

4. Finally, touch up the details and remove any tape.

Method (For Stripes)

1. draw out the stripes, using a ruler and pencil. Make the gap from the edge the same width as the stripes combined as one

2. Place tape on the bottom trace line (to give a crisp finish when peeled off) and start to paint the bottom stripe and go over the middle trace line (this will make painting the top stripe really easy because you won't have to paint up the stripe line and be really)

3. Redraw the middle line when the paint has dried, and place tape over it (covering the stripe just painted)

4. Place tape over the top line and paint the top Stripe

5. Remove tape.

use this for a guide if you're stuck!

FAQS'

What happens if the colour bleeds into the material being painted on?

If this occurs, you can prep the surface with a spray varnish, (I buy mine on amazon) this will prevent bleeding from dyes (for example in leather) by creating a physical barrier between the material and the paint

Why should you paint the "back" of the letters first?

This gives the letters a realistic finish and prevents the front of the letters sinking into the back. Anything 3D has to be painted this way and is a fundamental principle of painting in 3 dimensions.

Why do my letters not look neat or 3D?

As with any skill, it takes practice and patience. It is a bit fiddly and sometimes it just looks ugly  no matter what you do, so just take it slow and practice a few times before you try again

What is the best material to paint on?

Honestly, anything is fine but I find faux leather the best. It takes the paint really well and doesn't need priming with varnish. Anything with a smooth/grained or saffiano finish works well,

Where should I buy the items to paint on?

Most highstreet stores make inexpensive cradcases/wallets and pencil cases but have only used ones from Zara and KikkiK and I have always been happy with the result!

The finished product!

Card case

Stripes on a pencil case (notice the sharp lines from the tape)

Thanks for reading!