Archive for 'Using your PC' Category

I’ve downloaded a font to use on my invitations, how do I get the font to appear in Word?

16 April 2008

There are loads of free fonts on the internet and to use them you need to install them on your pc. Some websites compress their font files so they download more quickly, in which case once you have your font you may need to unzip it. Think of it a bit like opening an envelope so you can read the letter inside. There are several free Unzipping programs that can do this, try www.download.com or a google search and follow the instructions that come with the program. Once your font is unzipped, save it on your desktop and you are ready to install.

Go to the Start Menu and open the Control Panel, then the Fonts folder. Drag and drop the font from your desktop into the Fonts folder to install it. When you reopen Word you will find the new font available to use alongside all the ones you had previously.

Using Text Creatively

19 March 2008

Text is an important part of making your own wedding invitations. Whether you decide to use your names or invitation wording on the front, there are a number of ways you can do this creatively using your computer.

The first step to creating any printing template is to set the size of the card you are printing on using the measurements of the closed card. In Microsoft Word go to File > Page Setup > Paper and either select one of the size options or add in the measurements manually. Next, in the same instructions box go to Margins > Pages and from the drop down menu select ‘2 pages per sheet’

Close this box and return to your document, press the enter key over and over until a second page appears. This is the card opened up with the front area to print on the right hand size. Check it against your chosen card size and change the Portrait/ Landscape option (File > Page Setup > Paper), if necessary so the screen mirrors your card. Add text as desired.

Creating Text in a Circle

Firstly you need to make sure your Word Art toolbar is visible, set this in View > Toolbars, and tick the Wordart option. Working on the second page of your document, click on the in the Wordart icon (a shadowed A) in the Wordart toolbar, select the second option available. In the text box that opens add the wording for the front of your card in the font and size you want. Once you click ok you will have a band of text across your page.

To change the shape of this text into a circle, click on the band of text once so the square bounding box appears. Now go to your Word Art toolbar and click on the abc icon Click on the diagram that looks like a hollow circle. Your text should now be in a circle and you can drag the corners to resize it. Play with how many times you repeat the text until you get an effect you are pleased with. This style of creative text works well with simple embellishing inside the circle of text.

Creating Square Border of Text

Creating a square border in Word is done differently but looks just as effective. This method will not auto space as with the circle but with a bit of persistence you can get stunning effects. On the second page of your document go to Table > Insert > Table and add a table three columns wide by three rows. Right click on the Table and go to Table Properties > Table > Borders & Shading. Change the table outline colour to white so it will not print. Align your table left right or centre then close this box. Using the cursor drag the lines of the table so that you have a large middle square, four small squares on the corners four and long, thin rectangles across each side. Type your text into the top and bottom rectangles as normal. Place the cursor in the side rectangles and type your text. Now change the text direction by going to Format > Text Direction and select the desired option. The text size will need to be adjusted manually so that it fits along the side of your square. This same method can make a rectangular template, just stretch it to fit.

Before printing any template do a test run on some copy paper cut to the size of your cards, this way if adjustments are needed you won’t have wasted any card blanks.

Can you print on mulberry or handmade paper?

19 October 2007

Neither Mulberry nor Handmade paper is designed to be used in home printers. They are made of unsealed fibres which allow the ink to bleed slightly and the varying textures may cause erratic printing finishes. However it is possible to print onto them with home inkjets, the key is to try it in your machine and see. Both types of papers will go through my inkjet printer, an Epson C66, and print readable text with a reasonably consistent finish. Make sure you use a bold font for the best results as details will not show up as well as with machine finished papers, and order a few extra for trial and error.

Inserts - Using Special Papers

5 January 2007

While many people choose a plain paper insert to co-ordinate with their card, there are a wide range of specialist papers you can also use to great effect.

What types of papers can you use?

• Vellum (translucent paper) is ideal for inserts and gives a really luxurious feel. This is available in clear plus various colours, irridescent and printed styles.
• Pearlescent Paper also great for inserts. Note that some pearlescent papers are plain on the reverse so are not suitable if you want to print on both sides - for example in an order of service.
• Mulberry paper is quite thin and although you can print on it, it is usually considered a little too flimsy for inserts. However, if you are looking for a very delicate look it is an option to try.
• Handmade paper is generally too thick for use as an insert in a folded card. If you like handmade papers, why not use these as the outer with a paper insert?

Printing on special papers

With all special papers, it is a good idea to check a sample first on the printer you intend to use. Most will have no difficulty, but there can be problems with ink smudging and paper feed with some models.

Ink will take longer to dry than on normal printer paper so if you are having problems with smudging we recommend:

• First, change your print settings to “draft” or as low a setting as gives satisfactory results. This reduces the amount of ink.
• Second, remove each sheet as it prints - don’t let them stack up on the printer - and leave until the ink is completely dry

 

Printing wording onto your cards

19 September 2006

Many people choose to use peel-offs or text panels to add “Wedding Invitation” or similar wording to their cards, but you can also use a PC and printer to print these directly.

This is particulary useful if you have a specific font or colour your want to use.

Most cards will go through an inkjet or laserjet printer with no problems, but it is worth doing a test run just to make sure.

If you have Microsoft Publisher, there are a number of greetings card templates you can adapt.

If you are using Microsoft Word use the Page Set-up function. Here is how we set up a Wedding Invitation template for an A6 size invitation:

Go into File - Page Set-up

Select the Margin tab and set Orientation = Landscape and Pages: Multiple Pages = Bookfold

Select the Paper tab and choose Paper Size = A5

Click OK, then in the document insert a page break (as you need to set the text on the right hand page of your booklet). Press Enter several times to take the cursor to the foot of the page, then type in your text. Adjust the font, font colour and alignment as required.

Some ideas you might like to try:

• adjust the character spacing on the font so there is a bit more space between each letter (there is an option for this in Word under Format: Font).
• black print can look harsh - try a dark grey font colour to soften it a little
• if you want gold or silver text and have a steady hand you can print your wording in a pale colour and trace over it with a fine-point metallic gel pen