Issue 43.13
One of the things we do often at our house is to create posters, certificates and other graphic pages to print out. Programs such as Word, Word Perfect and Open Office Writer can do a passable job with these things, but if you really want to create impressive and varied types of documents, it is better to purchase a program that is dedicated to that process.
Two inexpensive programs that we use extensively are Print Shop and Printmaster. They are available at Staples, Best Buy and Wal-Mart, usually for $10-$20 in their bargain bins. Check to make sure they are compatible with your Operating System since newer versions may not work with XP or earlier and older versions may not work with Windows 7 or 8.
These programs provide templates with backgrounds and borders to help you make impressive signs, invitations, certificates of honor or completion, job lists, calendars and many other projects – even business cards. Most versions will also allow you to insert personal photographs into the project which is especially fun with calendars and birthday cards or invites. In most cases you can customize the project, using different borders, backgrounds and fonts (the kind of lettering you want to use). As you gain experience, you can experiment with shaping the text into waves, circles, 3D looks and other special effects.
I have even used these inexpensive programs to create brochures and advertising projects. I have to admit that I usually will go with a much more powerful program for those types of projects though – especially if the project is for a client and for mass distribution such as advertising, etc. For those types of efforts, I usually use Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator. I really like the special features including fades or transparencies, font effects like placing a glow around certain letters or making them look like they are embossed (pressed right into the page) as well as gradient backgrounds which fade from one color to another. You do have to pay for these special effects though – anywhere from a few hundred to over $2000 depending on which version and features you need. That makes it out of reach for many users unless you do it as a business.
There is a generic program that is quite similar to Photoshop called GIMP. You can download it free from the internet and it has many of the same features. I have found it a little harder to learn and use, but if you are on a budget, you can get very nice projects from using it if you can take the time to learn and experiment.
All in all, this is a fun and artistic use of your computer and printer and worth the time and effort if you want something special. If you need your project printed professionally, take the file you have created on a flash drive (USB) to Staples or Steamroller and they can print it out on glossy, matte or regular paper and can even do large posters or banners. And always remember – back up anything that is important to you.
Shaun McCausland has worked in the computer industry for over 32 years, 23 years of it locally with Bits ‘N’ Bytes and Musicomp and currently does in-home and on-site computer consultation, service, training and repair. If you have questions you can reach him at 435-668-7118 or his website www.bitsnbytescomputers.com.