How to Make a Flier for a Car Wash and Bake Sale

Fliers can be simple or full of color.

Car washes and bake sales are excellent fund-raising ideas. They can be simple to organize and have a low cost-to-benefit ratio.

Advertising these events can be done quickly and easily by designing a flier and posting it online, at neighborhood gathering places and businesses. Fliers also can be sent home with children so parents can share the information with their friends and co-workers.

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Microsoft Word software
• Printer
• Paper

Instructions

1. 

   Computers make designing simple.

   Open the Microsoft Word program on your computer.

2. 

   Start with a new document.

   Open a new file by clicking on File, then New Blank Document.

3. Expand the margins on your document out as far as you can so you have more space to include design elements. To do this, click Format, then Document. Under the Margins tab, make the margins for top, left and right at 0.6 inches. Make the margin for bottom 0.7 inches. Click OK.

4. 

   Borders add graphic interest.

   Create a border. Click Format, then Borders and Shading. Click Page Border. Select Box. Under Color, use the down arrow button on the side of the selection box and choose the color you want. Make a thicker border by selecting Width, then choosing a border size to match your design. You may also choose Art and select a graphic border, such as cherries, ice cream cones, trees, flowers and so on. Choose a border that matches the theme of your car wash or bake sale. Click OK.

5. Center the text by going to Format, Paragraph, Alignment, Centered--or use the icon on your formatting toolbar to center the text.

6. 

   Fun fonts attract the eye.

   Increase the size and style of the font by clicking on Format, then Font. Choose a fun-looking font style such as Comic Sans. Make the type large enough to read by choosing a font size of 48. Click OK to return to the document. Type the type of event you're holding, such as Car Wash.

7. Add other pertinent information about your event, such as the date, time, location, phone number, e-mail contact and website address. For example: Car Wash, June 23, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Westside Montessori School, 1234 Main St., Pumpkinville, Texas 77702, 713-222-9999, [e-mail], www.carwashformontessori.com.

   You may also wish to insert the reason for the event, such as, "To benefit the Westside Montessori School scholarship program for needy preschoolers."

8. 

   Make the document fun with art.

   Insert a picture or cartoon image to make the flier more fun. Click on Insert, Picture, Clip Art. Search by word, such as car. A number of images will come up. Select one, click Insert and it will appear at the point where you have your cursor in the document.

Tips & Warnings

• Play with the font sizes to make certain words stand out and grab attention.

• Inserting a graphic image (as instructed for inserting the clip art) adds visual interest and draws your audience in.

• If you are using a photo, make sure you have permission to use it.