How to Create a Tent-Fold Greeting Card in a Word-Processing Program

Tent-fold greeting cards, printed on heavy card-stock paper, are ideal for a good, professional-looking greeting card.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Printers
• Card Stock
• Colored Paper
• Computers
• Word-processing Software

1. Open a word-processing program, such as Microsoft Word or Corel WordPerfect. From the File menu, choose New. If you're offered a choice of template, choose Blank or Normal.

2. Add a new page to the document, for a total of two pages. The first page will contain the front and back of the card, while the second page will contain the inside of the card.

3. Consult your program's Help files for information on making a gridline to divide each page into two sections. Make a horizontal line that divides the pages exactly in two.

4. On the first page, add graphics, text and banners to each half of the page as desired. For best results, use the program's drawing tools to create text boxes ' because you can move these boxes, you can position your text with more precision than you could if you simply typed onto the page.

5. When you are finished, use the Flip or Rotate command to turn the objects on the top of the first page (which would be the back of the card) upside down. Consult your software program's help file for more information.

6. Go to the second page and add the inside message, using text or banners. For best results, use your program's drawing tool to create a text box. If you want the inside front cover to be blank, leave the first half of the page empty; otherwise, use the Flip or Rotate command to turn the objects upside down.

7. Check to see whether your printer has an option for double-sided printing. If so, print the page using draft settings and follow the directions for reinserting the paper. If not, go to the next step.

8. Print the first page on your printer, using low-quality, black-and-white or draft settings. Turn the page over and print the second side. Consult your printer's manual for more help on printing double-sided documents.

9. Fold the card in half, making sure the images are in proper order.

10. Save the completed file and print the card onto high-quality colored or white paper, using the printer's optimum settings. Fold and sign the card.

Tips & Warnings

• Purchase matching envelopes or decorate your own envelopes with matching clip art or greetings. Some programs even have templates for making envelopes.