Print on inside of greeting card

[mookie37355]

I would like to print on the inside of a purchased greeting card. Any ideas on how I set up printer?

[Dragon-Fur]

@mookie37355

The trick is not only to get the placement of the message in the correct location; the printer must be able to print on the card without mashing it and getting stuck inside the printer -- store-bought folded cards may or may not go through the rollers.  Personally, I would not do this.  Smiling.

 OK...

For the final print, when you are using your actual card, ensure you have selected Media type Brochure matte, thick paper, something that indicates to the printer that the paper is heavier than "plain paper".

Make sure you try this on a plain piece of paper before you commit your nice card to the process.

Parameters

Assuming a single fold card that opens on the right side (as opposed to lifting the front of the card).

Template Book Sheet

Take a fresh sheet of paper from your stack of regular print paper

Gently fold your test paper in half to create a "book"

Open your "book" and place it face down on a table or flat surface (so the book "spine" is a bump in the paper) and the long edges of the paper are at top and bottom

Near the top, on the left side of the paper, write the words "back of card" 

On the top, right side of the paper, write the words "top / front of card"

Flip the paper "right to left" so the paper is still long sides top / bottom and the middle of the "spine" is poking down into the table

On the left side of the paper, write the words "inside left"

On the right side of the paper, write the words "message area" 

OK -- this is the "test book template" -- do not print on it because the paper is creased.  The intention is to create a visual representation of the actual card.  

Print Paper Test Sheet:

Take a fresh sheet of paper from your stack of regular print paper

Do not fold the paper

(The following is essentially the same as the book test, without creasing the paper...)

Place the paper on the table / work surface, rectangular, long dimensions top and bottom

Near the top, on left side of the paper, write the words "back of card"

On side facing up, top, right side, write the words "top / front of card"

Flip the paper, right-to-left 

Peek under paper -- "back of card" should be written on the right underside of the paper

On the left side of the paper, write the words "inside left"

On the right side of the paper, write the words "message area"

Place paper in the printer tray, words "back of card" facing up, words on the left side

Word document Test Sheet:

Open blank Word document

Set Orientation Landscape

Set Margins Narrow (or other, depending on preference)

Insert Table > 2X1 Table (two boxes wide, one box tall)

Grab the bottom of the long edge of the table and drag it toward the bottom of "page 1"

Page One:

In box 1 (left side section), type words "back of card"

In box 2 (right side section), type words, "top, front of card"  (if you like, Insert a graphics / image)

Page Two:

Insert Table > 2X1

Grab the bottom of the long edge of the table and drag it to the bottom of the second page

HINT:  Do not drag the bottom of the table beyond the (invisible) "footer" boundary, else another "page" will be added to your document.

In box 1 (left side), type words "inside left"

In box 2 (right side), type words "This is my message area" (or whatever you like)

Save the document

Print the Document

Word Document > File > Print 

Select Printer > Click Printer Properties

Print on both sides > Flip on short edge

Paper Source > leave on Auto or select tray (options depend on printer software / model)

Media type > Brochure Matte (or Plain paper for this test!)

Orientation > Landscape

Load Paper into printer > Once all parameters are selected > Print

Once you have a printed test sheet that looks correct (everything in it's proper placement), you might be able to print on your card using the visual queues as explained in the test.

No guarantees -- I make my own cards (as explained below); although the test works, it is not a "real life" test using a real store-bought card.

If this all turns into Rocket science, you can perhaps make your own cards using the free Avery software.

Examples of how to do this are explained (with examples) in the following document:

Printing Labels_Business-Cards_Cards

NOTE:  The printing preferences for "flip" are different when using the Avery software - as explained in the dragon document, use "long side" duplex instead of the "short side" duplex that was used for the Word document test.

Hopefully this will help...

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