How to Make & Print Business Cards for Free

It's relatively easy to make and print business cards for free from the comfort of your home. If you have a good working computer, a color printer and the right software, you can make and print business cards that are either personalized or more formal in style. While there are many business card software programs to select from, you can use Microsoft Word to make and print business cards for free.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer
• Color printer
• MS Word
• Business card stock

1. Decide what style you wish your business cards to be. They can either be made to look strictly formal, or more personal and friendly. You must also decide whether you wish to print your cards in black and white or color.

2. Create a logo, or select suitable pictures for your card. If you have a pre-designed and saved logo, you may use it. If you do not, you may sketch a few rough ideas on paper. Alternatively, you may use the "Insert" menu to browse through pictures in "Clipart" or any other graphic programs available on separate CDs. Select a picture to go with the business card style you've chosen and save it.

3. Design a layout for your business card. To do so, you will need to decide on the different elements that are to be included on the main face of your card. Include your name or your company's name, the logo or picture, complete mailing address, telephone numbers, email ID, Fax and any other elements that you feel are useful and relevant. Also decide if information needs to be printed on the reverse side of your cards.

4. Choose "New" from your "File" menu. Then select "Envelopes and Labels" from the "Tools" menu and click on "Options."
   Make sure that "Avery Standard" is selected in the "Label Products" menu. Then from the "Product number" menu, select "3612-Business Card" and click on "OK."

5. Click on "New Document" and a template for a label will appear. This template will include the approved margins and specifications for standard business cards and appear as eight similar-sized blank spaces on a page.

6. Return to the "Insert" menu and select your pre-stored logo or pre-selected picture after browsing through your files. Insert the logo or picture into one of the eight blank card spaces that appear on the page. Then re-size your logo, or the picture you've selected, to fit the layout that you've designed earlier.

7. Go to the "Font" menu and click on the specific fonts that you wish to have for your cards. Then type all relevant text (as described in Step 3 above), in the positions where they appear in your layout.

8. Insert the final text, with your logo or pictures, into all eight blank spaces on the page. You can do so by clicking on the "Copy" and "Paste" icons on the tool bar. Then click on "Save" for final printing, or for making changes in future and reprinting.

9. Select "Print Preview" on your toolbar and review how your card will appear. Make any necessary adjustments.

10. Switch on your color printer. Then click "Print" on your toolbar, or "Print" in your "File" menu. You may now print the number of cards required.

Tips & Warnings

• Print a few samples to test the quality of your cards, before you print the entire quantity. Black is ideal and commonly used for the text of formal-type business cards. However, you may use whatever color you desire for the text, if your cards are personal and fun-type in concept and look.
• Do not start the printing process unless the feed tray of your color printer has been loaded with the blank business card stock. Do not forget to click on "Save" each time a picture, logo or text has been re-sized or typed.