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Themed Party Paper Goods

Make Your Own Party Paper Goods

If you already use computer graphic software or would like to learn to do so, you can create coordinated party paper goods for your next special event. A program such as Print Shop contains pre-designed themed sets. If you don’t find the party theme you want, you can easily vary one of theirs or create one from scratch.

The items below were created from scratch for a pansy-theme bridal shower using Print Shop 12. Illustrated are an invitation, paper napkin ring and matching place card. You could also make a menu or even paper favors like a set of note cards for your guests to take home.

I like to work from scratch to have maximum design flexibility. It’s really very easy once you know a few tricks.

For example, the note size card in the picture is printed two to an 8 ½ x 11” sheet of card stock. If you use a pre-designed card of this size (referred to as a quarter fold card in the programs), you will only get one card per sheet and will need to fold it twice into an awkward and bulky double-folded card.

Create Your Own Party Invitations

I will use the terms found in my Print Shop program. Most greeting card/paper craft software programs have similar functions, so don’t be concerned if you are using a different one.

To create two invitation size cards on an 8 ½ x 11 sheet with a landscape orientation like the one in the illustration above, start a new project using the blank sheet option and landscape orientation.

Now you see a white “sheet of paper” on your computer screen. This is your design space. You want to visually divide this space into two halves in order to print two cards to a page.

If you don’t see rulers at the top and left sides of your workspace, click on View; and then click on Rulers and Guides.

Once these options are check marked, you will be able to set guidelines to help you position your work. You create a guideline by positioning your cursor on the ruler where you desire one and clicking.

Voila – a blue line appears on your screen!

Not only do guidelines allow you to visually divide your workspace; but they also assist you in getting lines and objects exactly where you want them and perfectly vertical or horizontal. But that’s another lesson.

Set guidelines at the exact vertical and horizontal centers of your design space. The correct points depend on what margins your printer requires. My HP Deskjet 5150 (now replaced with the HP Deskjet 6980 Color Printer) allows margins of 1/8 inch (meaning I can print to within 1/8 of an inch of the paper’s edge).

Smaller margin requirements like this are a real plus for graphic design work. You don’t have to use all the space; but it’s nice to have it when you want it.

Using my setup as an example, I set my center guidelines at ruler points 5 3/8” (horizontal center) and 4 1/8” (vertical center). Then, since my minimum margins are 1/8 inch, I set design space margins for each quadrant (front, back, inside top and bottom) at 1/8 inch on either side of the two center lines.

This will help to assure that the designs are centered on each section and the white margins (especially on the card’s front) are equal.

The upper left quadrant will be the inside of your card; and the bottom right will be the front. Putting your logo on the upper right quadrant is optional, as is putting graphics on the lower left (which will form the top inside of the card).

Focus on the lower right quadrant and create your design for the card’s front. If you choose to put a message or logo on the back, create it in the upper right quadrant; then choose Arrange, Flip, Both, to flip it upside down.

Now move to the left side where you will write the card’s inside message. Do this in the upper left quadrant. Then Arrange, Flip, Both, to flip it upside down.

If you want to put graphics or another message on the inside top of the card, create your work in the lower left quadrant and flip it upside down as before.

This is how my pansy party invitation card looks when printed.

After printing on one side, simply flip the paper over and reinsert into your printer’s feed tray to print the other side. The paper will come out of the printer as above and the flip side will be as below.

Cut your finished work in half; fold and crease with a bone folder or other smooth implement; and there you have – two cards for the price of one (if you had used a quarter fold pre-designed card).

Create Other Party Paper Goods

You can create any paper item that will fit on a sheet of paper, as long as your computer printer accommodates the size and weight of your paper. Simply make a model of the item using scrap paper. This allows you to figure out the appropriate size and how the item will need to print.

For ideas and templates for party paper goods, please visit Plans & Patterns for Your Computer.

For more ways to use your computer in crafting, please visit Computer Crafting the gateway to all computer related articles on The Artful Crafter.

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