How to Create a New Business Card Template in Word

You can easily design your own business card by creating a simple formatted template in Microsoft Word. You can then save and reuse the template --- you can even revise it later if needed. The benefit of a template is that it never changes when you create a new document. Rather, you are technically copying the template, while preserving the original for future use.

Things You'll Need

• Computer (these instructions are for a Windows PC, not a Macintosh)
• Any version of Microsoft Word (installed)
• Information to be included on the business card
• Desired graphics, optionally including a logo, photo or background picture
• B&W or color printer (unless you plan to use a professional printing company)
• Business card stock (i.e., thicker paper) or Avery Packet (see Tips below)
• Paper cutter (best for straight edges) or scissors

Instructions

Page Setup

1. Before designing your business card, first set up the page.
   Launch Microsoft Word and open a new (blank) document.

2. 

   From the File drop-down menu, choose Page Setup.... The Page Setup dialog box appears.

3. In the Margins section, enter 0.25 as the measurement in the Top, Bottom, Left and Right fields (as shown above). Leave the Gutter setting at 0".
   In the Orientation section, choose Portrait.

4. Click OK. The dialog box closes and the margins are changed.

Table Setup

1. 

   You will be creating a table containing 10 cards on a page.
   From the Table drop-down menu, choose Insert... and then click on Table. The Insert Table dialog box appears.

2. In the Number of columns field, enter 2. In the Number of rows field, enter 5. In the AutoFit behavior section, choose AutoFit to window (as shown above).

3. Click OK. The dialog box closes and a table with 10 cells is inserted into your document.

Formatting the Table

1. Drag your mouse cursor from the first to the last cell to highlight all the cells.

2. 

   From the Table drop-down menu, choose Table Properties.... The Table Properties dialog box appears.

3. On the Table tab, click the checkbox in the Size section to check it. In Preferred width, enter 7. On the Measure in drop-down list, choose Inches.
   In the Alignment section, choose Center. In the Text wrapping section, choose None.

4. On the Row tab, click the checkbox in the Size section to check it. In the Specify height field, enter 2. On the Row height is drop-down list, choose Exactly.

5. On the Column tab, click the checkbox in the Size section to check it. In the Preferred width field, enter 3.5. On the Measure in drop-down list, choose Inches.

6. Click OK. The dialog box closes and the table properties are changed.

7. 

   From the Format drop-down menu, choose Borders and Shading.... The Borders and Shading dialog box appears.

8. On the Borders tab, in the Settings section, choose None.

9. Click OK. The dialog box closes and the border lines disappear.

10. From the Table drop-down menu, choose Show Gridlines. The border gridlines appear.
    NOTE: Border lines are visible on the page when you print, while border gridlines are invisible.

Saving the File

1. 

   From the File drop-down menu, choose Save. The Save As dialog box appears.

2. On the Save as type drop-down list, choose Document Template (*.dot). In the File name field, assign a name to the template file.

3. Click Save. The dialog box closes and the file is saved in your Templates folder.
   NOTE: The file is saved with a .dot extension (instead of the usual .doc), because this is a template, not a standard document.

Design and Layout

1. The document is now ready for you to custom-design your business card. After saving the file, you can make future changes to it, as necessary.

   NOTE: Be sure not to overdo it -- too much clutter will give you undesirable results! A simple, clean look will be much more attractive and effective.

2. Type and format the desired text for your business card in the first table cell. Be sure to consider the following information:
    Business name (usually larger and bold)
    Contact person's name and title
    Street Address, city, state and Zip code
    All phone and fax numbers
    E-mail address, Web site, social networking site, etc.

3. For a more professional look, consider adding some of the following graphics:
    Company logo
    Contact person's photo
    Background image

4. The best way to anchor your text and graphics to an exact position is by inserting a text box.
   From the Insert drop-down menu, choose Text Box. Your mouse cursor will turn to a crosshair (+).

5. Drag the crosshair cursor in a diagonal motion to create the text box wherever you want it on the card. Drag the sides or corners to resize it, as necessary.

6. 

   To format the text box, from the Format drop-down menu, choose Text Box.... The Format Text Box dialog box appears.

7. On the Colors and Lines tab, change the fill color and line color, as desired.
   NOTE: Using No Fill makes the text box background transparent. No Line makes the border around the text box invisible.

8. On the Layout tab, select In line with text, so the text box will displace other text on the card.
   OR, select Behind text, so the text box will be positioned in the background, behind all other text.

9. Click OK. The dialog box closes and the text box is formatted. Repeat to add additional text boxes, as necessary.

10. To add graphics, click the text box to select it. From the Insert drop-down menu, choose Insert Picture and either Clip Art... or From File... or From Scanner or Camera. One of the various dialog boxes appears.
    NOTE: Clip Art consists of a collection of ready graphics to use; however, you must add them when you install MS Word. Or, use a graphic file that you already have saved on your computer or flash drive. Or, use a picture from your scanner or digital camera.

11. Browse to find the desired graphic and then click Insert. The graphic appears in the text box. Resize and reposition the graphic, as necessary.

12. When your business card is complete, save the file (click File > Save).

Duplicating the Design

1. You are now ready to duplicate the card into the other nine empty cells on the page.
   Slowly move your mouse cursor to the left edge of the newly designed business card. A small cell selection arrow cursor appears.

2. Carefully click the cursor to highlight the contents of the cell. From the Edit drop-down menu, choose Copy, or simply press the Control key and the "C" key at the same time.

3. Click one of the empty cells, and from the Edit drop-down menu, choose Paste, or simply press the Control key and the "V" key at the same time. The contents of the business card appear. Repeat in all the other empty cells.

4. When finished, save the file (click File > Save), or simply press the Control key and the "S" key at the same time.

Using the Template

1. 

   Launch Microsoft Word. From the File drop-down menu, choose New. The Templates dialog box appears.
   NOTE: Some versions of MS Word require you to additionally click the General Templates link on the right side of the screen before the dialog box appears.

2. Select your new business card template and then click OK. The new business card document opens.

3. 

   To print your cards (10 on a page), from the File drop-down menu, choose Print.... Or simply press the Control key and the "P" key at the same time. The Print dialog box appears.

4. In the Number of copies field, enter the number of pages of business cards you want to print. Click OK. The pages print.

5. You must cut the cards to size (2" x 3.5"), unless you purchase a pre-cut card stock packet. (See Tips.)

Tips & Warnings

• NOTE: There are many available fonts that you can use. However, keep in mind that your fonts might not be available if you print form another computer. You can easily create a second set of business cards by duplicating the first set and making any desired changes. To reproduce the template, from the File drop-down menu, choose Save As.... The Save As dialog box appears, where you can assign a name to the new file and proceed to make and save the changes. Repeat as necessary. Various colors and textures of card stock are available at most office supply stores. You can purchase an Avery Packet at most office supply stores for about $15.99 -- yields 200 cards.

• Be sure your printer can handle the desired card stock.

Resources

• How to Design a Professional-Looking Business Card