How to Make Graduation Announcements on the Computer

At one time, graduation announcements were fairly generic for all the graduates from a single school. Today there are numerous online printing sources that offer a wide variety of graduation announcement styles. It is also possible to create an attractive and unique graduation announcement on your computer at home. Begin by choosing a high-quality, heavier linen or parchment 8 1/2-by-11-inch paper and a matching 6-by-9 1/2-inch envelope.

Things You'll Need

• 8 1/2-by-11-inch paper
• 6-by-9 1/2-inch envelope

Instructions

1. 

   Choose white paper if you decide to add color images to the graduation announcement. If you are using black ink and don't plan to add a color image, then you can choose colored paper.

2. 

   Understand the layout of this graduation announcement. It will be printed on a 8 1/2-by-11-inch sheet of paper that will be folded in the middle, horizontally, to create a 5 1/2-by-8 1/2-inch card, where the fold is at the top of the card.

3. 

   Understand the printing concept of this graduation announcement. It will be printed on both sides of the paper before being folded in half. After printing the first side, the paper will need to be reinserted into the printer and printed in the opposite direction as the first. In relation to the first side, the second side will be upside down.

4. Convert any images you plan to add to the announcement to JPG files, and download onto your computer. This might be a photograph of the graduate, a picture of the school, mascot or other artwork. Decide if you plan to have an image on the cover, inside the announcement or both.

5. Design the cover. The cover might be a picture of the school, mascot or graduate. It might boldly display the graduating year or be a collage of several digital images.

6. Design the inscription. There are many ways to word a graduation announcement. It may include an invitation to attend a graduation party or the commencement ceremony. It may be an announcement from the parents (such as Mr. and Mrs. John Smith are proud to announce...). It may include special honors awarded to the graduate. Search online for samples of graduation announcements to help you decide which wordage would best suit your needs.

7. Create two document files, one for the front side of the announcement and the second for the back side of the document.

8. Set the top margins for both documents at 6 1/4 inches, with the bottom margin at 1/2-inch and 1-inch for the right and left margins.

9. Typeset the cover into the first document, inserting any images. Typeset the inside of the announcement into the second document, inserting any images. Add lines at the beginning of each section (if necessary) to center the block onto the lower half of the page.

10. Print the finished card by printing one document onto the paper, then reinserting the paper to print upside down on the blank side, and then print the second page.

11. Fold the announcement in half after the ink dries.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not use too many different types of fonts.

Resources

• Graduation Announcements