How to Make Your Own Baby Announcements

Newborn babies need special announcements.

New babies are exciting and, chances are, you want to tell the world about yours. Instead of purchasing expensive stock varieties, make your own baby announcements for family and friends. Not only will you spread the good news, you will have an attractive keepsake for the baby book or memory box.

Things You'll Need

• Graphics software program Card stock paper Embellishments Craft glue

Instructions

Make Your Own Baby Announcements

1. Gather all pertinent information about the new baby before designing the homemade baby announcements to be sent to family and friends. This info should include the full name--first, middle and last--of the baby, the length and weight at birth, sex of the baby, the full names of the parents, exact date and time of the birth and any other interesting features such as hair color. Plan what information to include on the birth announcement cards so it is not too cluttered.

2. Write a special greeting or verse about the new baby for the top or bottom of the baby announcement card. Some may like a casual approach such as "Welcome to the Family!" while others would choose a religious theme, "Our new blessing from God," or a more formal approach that merely lists the baby's name and stats.

3. Open a computer graphics software program such as Photoshop or Paintshop Pro. Start a new project with the precise measurements of the baby announcement card you intend to send to people. If you are using a photograph of the new baby, upload it onto your computer and open it in the same graphics program. If the paper you are using for the announcements has a pattern or graphic border on it, indicate the usable part of the image by drawing a box or line around it.

4. Position the photograph of the new baby on the card image first. Select an attractive font in a larger size and type the verse or announcement part of the message at the top of the image. Under that, use a smaller text to lists the stats about the new infant. These are usually left justified with descriptors such as Name: First Middle Last; Weight: 7 pounds, 8 ounces. Be sure the font you use is readable at the correct size.

5. Insert the specialty card stock paper into your computer's printer and print out as many of the baby announcements as you require for all the friends and family. If necessary, carefully bend along perforated edges and separate the cards from one another. Printer paper with four cards together into a standard-sized sheet are available at most office supply stores.

6. Add embellishments to the baby announcement cards before slipping them into the envelopes for mailing. Scrapbooking paper cutouts, stickers, and relatively flat charms and tiny satin bows are good options. These can be put on the card with a small dab of clear-drying craft glue or paper paste. Be sure to choose embellishments that will not become damaged during the mailing process.