How To Create an Editable Business Card for Your Client

When creating desktop publishing and print products for clients, you want to provide them with value and convenience. An editable business card allows each client to print off additional cards when they are needed, and it allows the client to edit information as it changes. This saves a client a big headache and expense when changing jobs, positions, contact information or design schemes. You can create an editable card in a software program, such as Publisher or Word, that the client already has on his computer.

Things You'll Need

• Microsoft Publisher or Word computer software

Instructions

1. Start a new document in Microsoft Publisher or Word. If using the 2003 or earlier version of either of the two programs, click on "File > New". For the 2007 version, click on the "Office" button and "New".

2. Choose "Business Card" as the new document to create. Microsoft offers pre-designed business card templates to get you started. After choosing the design you want, click "Create".

3. Edit the card to include the client's information. In Word, click on the different text boxes, highlight the existing text, and type over it with the client's information. Change the graphics by right-clicking on them and clicking "Change Picture." Add the client's logo or an image that complements the client's design scheme and company type.

   In Publisher, when you start a new publication, a wizard is shown in the left-side pane. Click on the different tabs in the wizard to change the text, color scheme, graphics and page layout information.

4. Save the document. Click on "File > Save" (2003 or an earlier version) or "Office button > Save" (Word or Publisher 2007). Type in a name for the document in the "File name" text box and click "Save".

Tips & Warnings

• Check with the client to see what type of programs he has on his computer before starting to create the editable business card. If the client doesn't have the program that you used to create the business card, he will need to convert it before editing the business card.

References

• "Special Edition Using Microsoft Office Word 2007"; Faithe Wempen; 2007
• "Teach Yourself VISUALLY Microsoft Word 2003 (Teach Yourself VISUALLY (Tech))"; Elaine Marmel; 2006