Microsoft Publisher 98 blank publication wizard
With Publisher open select File | New then select the Blank Publication tab. You'll see a small graphic depicting how the separate pages of the card will print on a single sheet of paper.
You can scroll down or select greeting card from the left menu. Then select the side fold card.
The program will ask if you want to add pages (to make 4 total), say yes. The default margins are very generous, about an inch all around. You can keep these or change them at any time depending on your design.
How it will print
Even though we are a long way from printing you should think about how it will print before you start. Even though you may work on each section of your card (front, inside, back) separately, it will print on a single sheet of paper. You must make sure that you put the elements on the correct pages or the correct position on the page (if using Basic Setup #2) so that when printed and folded your card will be the way you intended. This is called imposition or creating printer's spreads.
Some software, such as Microsoft Publisher 98 will do this for you automatically if you use the correct document wizards. All you have to remember is that page 1 is the front, pages 2-3 are the inside of the card, and page 4 is the back.
If you are designing your entire card on a single page (Basic Setup #2) you will need to put your elements in the correct sections, including flipping 2 sections "upside down" so that when printed and folded it will come out as intended.
Assignment
Start your software program and look to see what kind of document setup options it offers. If it has a blank template or wizard for a side fold card, use it to set up your greeting card. Otherwise, use one of the Basic Setup options above.
Take a plain sheet of paper. Fold it into a side fold card. (Holding it in portrait orientation, fold in half horizontally then fold in half vertically.) Mark each section of the card "FRONT - Page 1" "INSIDE FRONT - Page 2" "MESSAGE AREA - Page 3" "BACK - Page 4". Unfold the card and hold it so that the FRONT is in the upper left corner. Note the arrangement of the pages on the sheet of paper.
See our sample layout (large graphic). Which of these sheets has the correct imposition (will fold to make the card illustrated)? A, B, or C?
BONUS: Where do you think the terms "portrait" and "landscape" to describe the orientation of a page originated?
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Go to Lesson 4
Jacci Howard Bear
Your Guide to Desktop Publishing
ICQ#10206585
