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How do I print on cards and inside them where I want?
Can anyone help, I am trying to print direct to the front of a greeting card, can anyone recommend any good software or give me some tips? I would be most grateful.
I use MS Word for my cards. If you're wanting to print on the front of the card (this assumes it's a single layer card), what I do is creat a 2 column table in Word. Set all magins to 0 and size each cell specifically 4.25 x 5.5. To print on the front of the card, place your text in the right hand cell. Then use a text box. Text boxes are perfect because you can drag it around your document for perfect placement. Note, that you can also use the right hand cell for printing inside card sentiments. It all depends on how you fold it after it comes off the printer.
When I go to print, I get an error that says something like part of the print job is outside of the paper size range. I ignore that and print anyway. It still prints the way I'm expecting.
If you are able to get this approach to work for you, then save your document as a template. That way you always have a "go to" that you know will work.
Hope this helps.
__________________ �:*�*:�My next house won't have a kitchen. Just a bunch of vending machines and garbage cans.�:*�*:�
It did have a learning curve, but once I got through that it has been easy to use.
I like it because there is a grid that divides your paper into fourths so you can tell where something will print. If you want to move it, you click on it and move it and it stays there. I haven't been able to do this with other programs. Also if you want to mix fonts where one word is in script and the rest are print, it is no problem easy peasy.
I confess, I use MS Word and just print it anywhere, then cut or punch the words/phrases out and use them. That also allows me to experiment with different colors, fonts, and type sizes.
Karen
I tried my print shop programs and other graphic programs and I could never get the margins right...it was always just a bit off.
I decided one day to try the free version of Avery Design Pro. It is supposed to be basically for printing labels but, I find it is perfect for printing card inserts etc. I create my own custom sizes (like 4.25 x 5.5) and my printer accommodates. I have all my templates ready to add words to and print off...I love it! I am on my third wedding invitation set using this program and it is so simple and basic.
Ugh...I can do it but really, it is much quicker to print what I need, use my tonic cutter, and mat mount onto the card...I did that with the wedding invites for my daughter's wedding last year about this time. I tried the printing and it was centered, but, it was not the look we needed.
however, I am very, very lazy about stuff like that!!
Thanks for the info on tables in MS Word. I usually use Word with text boxes, but the table idea makes it so much easier. Get everything just where you want it, then make the lines disappear and it's perfect!
Oh, you're most welcome! I use the tables as a visual indicator for the center if I'm printing an inside sentiment and like you said, when you're ready to print, just remove the borders.
__________________ �:*�*:�My next house won't have a kitchen. Just a bunch of vending machines and garbage cans.�:*�*:�
If you get Print Shop (fairly reasonably priced - got mine for under 20.00), it has the template for cards right in it...you can add graphics or text on front, inside and back
I have Print Shop and the problem I found is the printing...never where I want it....always a bit offside. With Design Pro...what is on my screen is what comes out my printer.
Cathy
__________________ I stand alone without beliefs...the only truth I know is you
Ladies......You can simply use MS Word to do your card or any portion of it. Just set your Page Set Up with the paper size to reflect the size of your card (for instance..A2 card would be 8.5x5.50 for a side fold card). Set left margin so that you clear the fold (I set mine at 4.75). The other margins I set at .5. You're in the Portrait orientation. If you want the entire inside of the card centered, then on the Layout tab, set the Verticle alignment to Center. Type your message or whatever inside the card. Just use space bar and return to move around to where you want text. You can use text boxes if that's easier. I find them to be difficult to work with, I would rather move around area on my own.
Obviously for a top fold A2 card you would adjust the top margin to the 4.75.
Put your paper in the printer with the 8.5 edge heading into the printer.
I find this method very easy and have made a template for each of these. If you're print on both the front and inside, then you will need to flip the card around for the second side.
I like this method since I prefer to cut my cardstock before printing on the card. I also only do one card at a time. My method would not work if you were attempting to make 2 cards from an 8.5x11 inch cardstock.
If you do have MS Publisher, that's even easier as you can place your text exactly where you want it using the rulers both top and left side. Rulers in Word aren't as easy to use.
Thank you for all these wonderful tips! I have an Etsy shop, and I get lots of requests for personalization. I didn't know how to do any of this, so I've always printed, cut & mounted. I kind of dread those custom orders, but I need them! Now maybe there will be fewer hissy fits in the computer room!
This okld lady used Word Perfect when she was still operating in DOS and have never liked Microsoft Word. However the set up is much like mentioned above for word. Set up four cells etc. I usually print the inside messages on white or vanilla cardstock as so many card bases are dark in color. I also have about fourteen pages of messages already set up four to a page in either landscape or portrait format. When I make a gift set I include a variety of messages, cut 4" x 5 1/4" for the recipient to pick from. Most of my cards do not have a specific occasion mentioned on the front. If anything they say "Thinking of You" which suits any occasion from Birthday to Sympathy.
publisher is super easy and versatile! add to that it has word art, too. Page set up to different sizes is a great feature. I think it is part of the ms office package. Here is an example in my gallery
Subbing!
Just a few minutes ago I asked the moderator where I should post this same question, hit send, then back to General stamping talk and the next post I read answered my question!
woooo, magic! LOL
__________________ SuzyQue in Texas Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons
for you are crunchy and good with ketchup.
(borrowed from the quirkey card sayings thread).
Ugh...I can do it but really, it is much quicker to print what I need, use my tonic cutter, and mat mount onto the card...I did that with the wedding invites for my daughter's wedding last year about this time. I tried the printing and it was centered, but, it was not the look we needed.
however, I am very, very lazy about stuff like that!!
I do this too. I just print it off and use a Spellbinders die to cut it out!!
How do I print on cards and inside them where I want?
