If you have an urgent need to create business cards and do not have special software designed for this purpose, Microsoft Word has the tools you need to create and print your own personalized business cards. To simplify and speed up the process, while maintaining a good level of customization, you can use the ready-made templates made available by Word. Alternatively, you can design your business card from scratch using a table, a tool that allows you to create cards with the right proportions.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Use a Template
Step 1. Access the "File" menu and choose the "New" item
First you need to create a new document using the default business card design template. This way you can quickly create a large amount of professional business cards.
Step 2. Look for the default Word templates related to business cards
Perform a search using the appropriate text field located in the window for creating a new document using the string "business cards". As a result, you will get a large list of free business card templates. Both horizontally and vertically oriented business card templates are available.
Step 3. Choose the desired template
You will be able to change any element or aspect of the selected template, including color, images, font and layout. Choose the model that best meets your graphic and professional needs. To open your chosen template in Word, press the "Create" or "Download" button.
Step 4. Fill in the fields on the first business card with the requested information
Using Office 2010 or a newer version (and a template designed for Office 2010 or later), the text you enter will appear in all business cards on the page, so you only need to type your personal information once. In the event that the chosen template does not automatically replicate the information entered on all the business cards displayed, it will instead be necessary to do it manually for each one.
Step 5. Change the format of each element
You can select all the text fields on the business card and change their format. You can change the font, color, size and much more, according to your needs.
Since this is a business card, make sure that, once printed, the chosen font is clearly legible
Step 6. Replace the default logo (only if needed)
If there is a logo on the business card, select it with the mouse to replace it with that of your company. Resize the image for easy insertion. Remember that you will need to use an image with an adequate resolution so that when you resize it, it does not appear grainy.
Step 7. Review the business cards
At this point you need to be absolutely sure that your business cards are correct. They must not have typing, spelling or grammatical errors. Your business card is a tool that people use to get a first idea of who you are, so make sure it's perfect to avoid starting a possible professional relationship on the wrong foot.
Step 8. Print the business cards yourself or contact a printing service
By choosing the first hypothesis you will need to purchase quality paper. Choose perfectly white or ivory colored paper with the desired finish. Most business cards are printed on matte paper, but some prefer a glossy finish. As a second hypothesis, you can take advantage of one of the many professional printing services that can print your business cards using your template directly.
When buying paper for printing, make sure your printer is capable of using it. The instruction manuals of most printers clearly indicate the type of paper the device is capable of using for printing. Alternatively, you can refer to the technical support page on the printer manufacturer's website
Step 9. Use a sharp, precise cutting tool to cut out the individual business cards
After printing, you will need to cut out all the business cards. Normally 10 business cards will be printed on a single page. Do not use simple scissors or any other tool that does not allow you to make cuts in a straight line; instead use a traditional or precision cutter. Many of the stores that offer document printing services also provide this type of additional service or make their cutting tools directly available to customers.
The most commonly used business card format is 8.5x5.5cm
Method 2 of 2: Create a Table
Step 1. Create a new blank document
If you prefer to create a business card from scratch, use the "Table" tool to simplify the whole process.
Step 2. Go to the "Page Layout" menu tab, then press the "Margins" button
Choose the "Narrow" model to have much smaller margins than the default ones. This way you will have the possibility to insert multiple business cards on a single page.
Step 3. Go to the "Insert" menu tab, then press the "Table" button
This will open a drop-down menu containing a grid.
Step 4. Create a table consisting of 2 columns and 5 rows (2x5)
Use the appeared grid to create a table that has 2 columns and 5 rows.
Step 5. Access the table properties
To do this, place the mouse pointer in the upper left corner of the table so that it changes into a small "+", then press the right mouse button and choose "Table properties" from the context menu that appears. The properties window of the created table will be displayed.
Step 6. Change the alignment of the table using the "Centered" option
This will make it easier for you to create your own business cards.
Step 7. Go to the "Row" tab and select the "Specify height" check button
In the relevant text field enter the value 5.5 cm, then choose the "Exact" option from the "Row height" drop-down menu.
Step 8. Go to the "Column" tab and select the "Specify width" check button
In the column size text field, enter the value 8.5 cm, then choose the "Exact" option from the "Column width" drop-down menu.
Step 9. Look at your chart
A table made up of 10 identical cells should have been inserted into the document, each of which represents a business card. If the table does not take up a single page, you will most likely need to reduce the bottom margin by a few millimeters.
Step 10. Edit the table properties again
To do this, place the mouse pointer in the upper left corner of the table so that it changes into a small "+", then press the right mouse button and choose "Fit". Choose the option "Fixed column width", in this way your table will automatically adapt to the size of the text you are going to insert in the individual cells.
Step 11. Add your information inside the first cell
When you insert text inside a cell of a table you can use all the formatting tools provided by Word. You can insert text and images, change the font, color or apply any other formatting you want.
Step 12. Review your business card
Before copying the information from the first cell of the table to the other 9, make sure it is correct. Check for typos, spelling or grammar errors. If done now, this check will allow you to examine a single cell; if postponed it will eventually force you to check 10.
Step 13. Once the review is complete, select the entire contents of the first cell
You can do this quickly and easily by moving the mouse cursor to the lower left corner of the cell, so that it turns into a small diagonal arrow. At this point, press the left mouse button: all the contents of the cell will be selected. Copy the information to the system clipboard.
Step 14. Place the text cursor inside the next cell, then paste the copied information
To do this, press the "Paste" button located in the "Home" menu tab. Alternatively, you can use the hotkey combination Ctrl + V. The copied information will appear inside the selected cell. Repeat this step for each of the cells on the page.
Step 15. Access the table properties
To do this, place the mouse pointer in the upper left corner of the table so that it changes into a small "+", then press the right mouse button and choose "Borders and background" from the context menu that appears. Choose the "None" option located in the "Borders" tab of the appeared window. This way you can be sure that the borders of the table will not appear on the printed and cut out business cards.
Step 16. Buy good quality paper for your business cards
Using good paper to print your business cards is an essential step. When buying paper for printing, make sure your printer is capable of using it. If you want to use a professional printing service, you can send them your finished document directly.
Step 17. Use a sharp, precise cutting tool to cut out the individual business cards
Do not use simple scissors or any other tool that does not allow you to make cuts in a straight line. Instead, use a precision cutter that allows you to make perfect cuts and the correct size. The most commonly used business card format is 8.5x5.5cm.
