Printing Tips for Print Shop

I bought the software that you recommend (edition 20 - can't remember the name), but I'm having a problem that I can’t seem to resolve.

I'm trying to print 4 thank you cards, folded on one page 8 1/2 x 11 and I don't seem to get it done.

I create the card, click print and only one card prints, even when I go to page set up, print set up etc. to indicate that I want 4.

I have a Lexmark printer that I got a couple of months ago.

I know that you recommend the HP, but I already have this brand new one.

What can I be doing wrong?

Please help.

Thank you.

Junice

I’m so glad you like our website. Thank you. I assume you purchased Version 20 of Print Shop, my favorite card-making program.

I have Version 12 but think I can help you. If you want to print 4-up on an 8.5” x 11” page (i.e., 4 cards to a sheet of card stock), your finished card will be 4.25” x 2.75” when folded.

Start a new blank design and choose a portrait or 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 four quadrants in order to print four 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 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” (vertical center) and 4 1/8” (horizontal center). Then, since my minimum margins are 1/8 inch, I set my design space margins at 1/8 inch on either side of the two center lines.

Finally, place a guideline to divide each quadrant in half where the card will be folded. I know it looks a little messy at this point but, trust me, the rest is a piece of cake.

Here’s a diagram of where you are at this point:

Focus on one of the four quadrants and place your design on the card front. If you choose to put a message or logo on the back, create it in the same quadrant’s Card Back; then choose Arrange, Flip, Both, to flip it upside down.

Your design is done! All you need to do now is lasso the front and back and combine them (using the cursor, draw a box around the elements, right click and choose Group). Then copy once and paste three times. Move each of the three copies to one of the blank quadrants and print four copies at a time! Neat, huh?

For more information on printing greeting cards, please visit Printing Greeting Cards.

For more information about using computer and graphics or greeting card software in crafting, please visit Computer Crafting, the gateway to all articles related to crafting by computer on The Artful Crafter.

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