This article describes how to print your own card using downloadable templates from MS Word.
I started making my own cards when we wanted to share travel photos with our friends and family to help explain what we’ve been doing throughout the year. I tried MS Word Greeting Card templates to see how well they worked. I print my cards on an HP 5150 color printer, but most color printers will work, although printing, especially double-sided may differ with a different printer. The result is professional looking and customizable.
What You Need to Make a Greeting Card
• Copy of MS Word software installed on your PC
• An internet connection to download templates
• A printer, color is best, photo quality is supported
• Paper cutter
• Greeting card stock with pre-built crease and envelopes available from Staples or Michaels or other craft or office supply store. Many manufacturers make this card stock including Avery and Staples. Most card stock provides an Avery number that is used to identify the standard card types. Note card stock for 1 5x 7 cards is easier to setup than 2 41/2″ by 5 ¼” cards, but both produce nice products.
Before you get started, make sure that the printer you intend to use in this project is your default printer. To set your default printer click on MS Windows Control Panel, Double-click on Printer & Faxes, then click the printer of choice. From the Control Panel File Menu, click Set as Default Printer. If you don’t do this step, every time you choose to print a card, you have to select a printer. It doesn’t cause problems, but it can take extra time. Also, make sure your printer is on.
Step One: Open the Greeting Card Software
Double click on MS Word. Then Click Open New document. A window will prompt you to select a template. Choose the greeting card template from the bar on the left side of the screen.
Step Two: Select a Project Design for Your Greeting Card
1) About a dozen offerings for greeting cards are shown in the template window. Choose the template that best supports your card stock.
2) Select one of the available designs
4) Choose download
Automatically the new document will open with the template just downloaded. Every time you enter MS Word, that template will be available to you.
When you see the project setup, check all pages of the design and alter any text. When happy, save your project by clicking the File menu, Selecting Save, and providing a file name. Save often.
Step Three: Altering the Design
Most of the design elements in the template can be changed. You can click on text and change the message. You can change background colors. You can delete and insert a new photograph. One thing to beware, don’t alter the position of items on the page, they may end up making the card size wrong or causing paging to produce too many sheets.
Step Four: Set Up Double Sided Printing on Your Printer
Double-sided printing on my printer with the MS Word template is manual. Because of this, I would recommend printing each side in a separate file. To do this, create a new document using the template and save the top half. Then do the same with the bottom half.
Step Five: Test Your Print Feed
Put an X on the top sheet in your print tray. Print a file. See whether or not the printing is on the X side or the back. If it is on the back, when you print the second half of your card, put your first side in page up. Test this several times to make sure that the inside and outside are printed in the correct orientation.
Step Six : Print Your Greeting Card
Either click on the printer icon or Select the File Menu and Print. Then select print, this time setting the number of cards you’d like printed. Repeat for the new file.
Step Seven: Cut and Fold Your Greeting Card
This step is only needed if you’re using the default design for this card type using the 2 41/2″ by 5 ¼” cards.
Line up the inside crease in the paper cutter and cut the cards in half.
Fold the card in half.
Address and stamp your card.
Have Fun!
