| Even with modern technology like email and cell | | | | Another alternative is to click on all the text |
| phones, printed invitations have remained the | | | | boxes and give them solid colored backgrounds. |
| most common way to let people know about | | | | 6. Need a catchy poem or verse? Once again, |
| your upcoming party and will continue to remain | | | | you can search the internet for related verses. |
| popular due to the timeless rules of party | | | | For example, if I am making baby shower |
| etiquette. Invitations can be a major cost, | | | | invitations, then I can search for "baby shower |
| especially for large parties, like weddings and | | | | poem" or "baby verse" and any other related |
| some baby showers. However, with a little | | | | phrases. |
| creativity and time, you can make your own | | | | 7. Save the master copy of the finished card and |
| printable invitations, even if you have no artistic | | | | print out a sample copy on plain paper to see |
| skills. | | | | what it will look like. If it looks good, then you can |
| 1. The first step is designing your card. You can | | | | start personalizing each card and printing it out on |
| use a simple word processor like Microsoft Word | | | | card stock. |
| and if you want, you can go to the Adobe's | | | | 8. If you do not have a color printer, then create |
| website at to convert your file into a pdf file. | | | | a personalized copy for each guest and save it as |
| Select the proper dimensions and print out a | | | | a separate file on a disk. Take the disk to your |
| sample on some plain white paper just to make | | | | local print shop and have them print out a |
| sure it is the right size. | | | | invitation for each guest. Some print shops may |
| 2. Next, you will want to find the proper card | | | | even print out the invitations for you if you give |
| stock to print out your invitations on. Your local | | | | them the guest list and template. A print shop will |
| office supply store will have these and you can | | | | cost more than printing them out yourself, but |
| purchase them inexpensively there. | | | | probably less than buying invitations from |
| 3. Use the word processor to insert text boxes | | | | somewhere else. Plus the product should look |
| with the words you want on your invitation. Play | | | | very professional and they may even have the |
| around with the fonts and text color. | | | | right card stock available. Additionally, print shops |
| 4. There are many sites that offer free clip art | | | | can do engraved invitations as well, which are |
| and pictures that you can use for your invitations. | | | | good for upscale occasions like weddings. |
| Just do a search for "free clip art" on the search | | | | Some other guidelines include try to stick to a |
| engines and you will find many sites that provide | | | | central theme, don't try to use too many pictures |
| these services for free. Browse through and | | | | and colors, and compare your card to others at |
| download the pictures you want and then insert | | | | card stores to get a feel for what a good |
| them into your card at the desired location. | | | | invitation should look like. Remember that most |
| 5. If you use a background image, make sure it | | | | invitations are simple and have just a few |
| does not obscure the text on the card. Ideally, | | | | graphics and maybe one verse. As you can see, |
| background images should be watermarked. Most | | | | there are infinite possibilities when creating your |
| word processors will allow you to select | | | | own party invitations and not only is it a fun |
| background images and make them watermarks. | | | | project, but will also save you money. |