Make Business Cards in Microsoft Word

If you need to make business cards in a hurry, and you don’t have to have fancy design software, Microsoft Word has the tools you need to make and print business cards. You can use templates to make the process easy but still maintain and individual feel, or you can create the cards completely from scratch. If you are creating from scratch, you can use the Table tool to help keep your cards the proper size.

Steps

Using a Template

1. Click the "File" menu and select "New". You'll be creating a new document from a business card template. This will allow you to quickly make a lot of professional-looking cards at once.
2. Search for business card templates. Use the search field in the new document creation window to search for "business card". This will bring up a variety of free templates that you can use for business cards. There are templates for horizontal and vertical cards.
3. Select a template that you want to use. You'll be able to change any element of the template you'd like, including color, images, font, and layout. Pick the template that most closely matches the vision of your business card in your head. Click the "Create" or "Download" button to open the template in Word.
4. Fill out the information fields in the first card. If you're using Office 2010 or newer (and the template was designed for 2010 or new), you'll see your text appear in all of the business cards on the page. You'll only have to fill out information for one card this way. If the template is not designed to automatically fill out successive cards, you'll need to enter the data for each one manually.
5. Change the format of any elements. You can select any of the text on the business card and change the format. You can switch fonts, change colors and size, and more, just like you would regular text.
   • Since this is a business card, make sure that the font you choose is legible.
6. Replace the logo (if necessary). If the business card template has a placeholder logo, you can click it to replace it with your own. Make sure that you resize your logo so that it fits, and that it doesn't look bad when the size has been changed.
7. Proofread the cards. Make absolutely sure that your business cards do not have any typos or other mistakes. Your business card is one of the first impressions people will have of you, so you don't want to start off on the wrong foot.
8. Print the cards on stock, or send the file to a printer. If you're going to be printing the cards at home, you'll need high quality stock paper. Stick to white or off-white, and pick your finish. Most business cards don't have a finish, but some people prefer a glossier card. Many print shops will be able to open your saved business card template and print them for you as well.
   • When purchasing paper, make sure that your printer at home can handle it. Check your printer's documentation or support site for details on the type of paper that it supports.
9. Use a precision cutting tool to finish the cards. Once the cards are printed, you'll need to cut the sheet up. Each sheet will typically have ten cards on it. Don't use scissors or other methods of cutting that rely on you keeping a straight line. Instead, use a paper guillotine or precision paper cutter. Many print shops have these tools available for customers, or can do the cutting for you.
   • The standard US business card size is 3.5" x 2" (or 2" x 3.5" for vertical cards).

Making a Table

1. Create a new blank document. If you'd prefer to create your business card yourself, you can use the Table tool to make it easier.
2. Click the "Page Layout" tab and click the "Margins" button. Select "Narrow" to make the margins a little smaller than the default setting. This will allow you to fit the business cards on the page.
3. Click the "Insert" tab and then click the "Table" button. A grid will appear beneath the Table button.
4. Create a 2 x 5 table. Use the grid to insert a table that is two cells wide and five cells high.
5. Right-click on the table's selection crosshair and select "Table Properties". This will open the Table Properties window. The selection crosshair appear in the upper-left corner of the table when you hover over it.
6. Set the alignment of the table to Center. This will make it easier to make the cards even.
7. Click the "Row" tab and check the "Specify height" box. Enter 2" and change the drop-down menu to "Exactly".
8. Click the "Column" tab and check the "Specify width" box. Enter 3.5" and change the drop-down menu to "Exactly".
9. Examine your table. You should now have a table on your page that is separated into ten identical business card-sized cells. If the table doesn't fit, you may have to extend your bottom margin by a tenth of an inch.
10. Right-click the crosshair again and select AutoFit. Choose "Fixed column width". This will prevent the table from changing shape as you add information to the first cell.
11. Add your information to the first cell. You can use all of your regular Word formatting tools while typing in the cell. You can insert text boxes and images, change fonts, add color, or perform any other formatting that you'd like.
12. Proofread the card. Before copying the information into each of the other cells, take the time to review it now for any errors or typos. If you proofread later, you'll have to change each cell instead of just changing the first before copying it.
13. Select the entire first cell when you're satisfied. You can quickly do this by moving your cursor to the bottom-left corner of the cell until it turns into a diagonal arrow. Click and the cell's contents will be selected. Copy the contents of the cell to the clipboard.
14. Place your cursor in the next cell and paste the copied information. You can click "Paste" in the Home tab, or you can press Ctrl+V. Your copied information will appear in the cell in the right locations. Repeat this for each of the cells on the page.
15. Right-click the crosshair again and select "Table Properties". Click the "Borders and Shading" button and select "None" for the border. This will ensure that parts of the cell borders don't appear when the cards are cut.
16. Find good paper for the cards. You'll want a nice card stock paper to print your new business cards on. Make sure that your printer supports the type of paper that you get. You can also send your completed file off to a printer to have the cards professionally printed.
17. Use a precision cutting tool. Avoid using scissors or other cutting tools that require you to maintain a straight line. Use professional paper cutting tools to make sure your cuts are even and properly measured. The standard US business card size is 3.5" x 2".

Sample Business Cards

Doc:Business Cards

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