Eliminate Trapped White Space in Drop Caps
Some letter combinations create unsightly bits of trapped white space between drop caps and the accompanying text. Discover how to compensate.
Adjust Gaps in Dropped Caps
Macros and various letter combinations create unsightly gaps between drop caps and accompanying text that makes text harder to read and unattractive.
Dropped or Drop Caps are Familiar Attention-Getters
The dropped cap or drop cap is the most widely used style of initial caps.
Put Initial Caps on the Baseline
Tie initial caps to accompanying text by aligning them with the text baseline.
Adjacent Caps Work Well in Empty Columns
Adjacent caps are a style of initial cap that work well in designs with extra large margins.
Raised Caps Easy to Create
Of the three main styles of initial caps, raised caps are the simplest to create and format.
Make Drop Caps Bigger, Bolder
Don't use wimpy initial caps.
Make a Statement with Oversized Gift Tags
Try one of these free PDF templates of oversized Christmas gift tags.
Spread Holiday Cheer Quickly with Templates
Two original designs in PDF format, ready to print, sign, and send. Also, an envelope template.
Put the Focus on the Visual Center
Placing important elements or the focal point of the design within the visual center of a piece is another design trick.
Use the Rule of Thirds
Use the rule of thirds to create visually interesting layouts.
Resize Mug Shots for Uniformity
Create consistency with careful cropping and sizing
Create a Photo Collage
Pull together diverse images
Create New Graphic Elements with Photos and Rules
Combine mug shots with rules and dividers
Create a Photo Chain or Group with Rules
Use rules to tie images together
Use Frames and Borders Around Photos
Give mug shots a fancy frame
Change Template Fonts
Jumpstart designs with templates but personalize them to fit your needs.
Change Template Colors
If you like the overall layout of the template but the colors aren't quite right for you, change them.
Make Simple Changes to Template Paragraph Attributes
Alter the look of a template with simple changes to text and paragraph attributes.
Flip the Template
Move elements of a template around to change its appearance and to better suit its purpose.
Jumpstart Logo Design
Whether you're constrained by time, your own skills, or just a creative block, you can jumpstart the design and desktop publishing process with the use of templates and other helpers such as clip art and dingbat fonts.
Use Reverses in Small Doses
Easy does it
Use Smaller Type in Narrow Columns
Opposites attract
Offset Boxed Text from Borders
Box borders need breathing room
Use Display Faces for Headlines/Large Text Only
Not all fonts are created for all purposes
