How to create your own business cards in MS Word

Marketing yourself can be one of the best ways to stand out of a crowd and get the job you want after graduation. Business card is a good way to make sure you are remembered. You can create business cards yourself in Microsoft Word.

To begin making your business cards:

1. Open up a blank word document
   
   
2. On the top menu: Tools > letters and mailings > envelopes and labels > Click the “Labels” Tab

3. Click “Options...” button > Under Label products make sure “Avery Standard” is selected > Scroll down to product number “5371 – Business Card” > OK
   
   
   
   
4. Under Envelops and Mailing screen make sure “full page of the same label is selected > Click “New document” button
   
   
5. A table will appear in the word document
   
   
6. Setting up the first card: Place cursor in side first card

Insert an image:
You can insert picture from a file (insert, picture from file). Most business cards have a logo. Since you are a student, you do not have a logo to insert. I would suggest you insert some sort of image on the business card. You can insert your photo (in professional attire), a generic design (business silhouette, push pin, pattern), city building or landscape.

Floating image, insert the image, then in picture format, select wrapping button, then select in front of text, this gives you control over where the image is placed

Background image insert the image, in picture format select text wrapping button, select behind text, now you can type over background image.

You can find images and backgrounds on the internet or in a clip art file; just find something that fits with your personality and that will help people to remember you

Insert Your Information:

Now you need to insert your information. Decide what information to include

I suggest your name, phone number and email address

Also consider adding your mailing address, graduation date, and affiliations

7. Once you have finished the card, you need to copy it
   
   
8. Click the cursor and drag it across the card to highlight it > select ctrl +C to copy it > move to the next cell in the table > select ctrl + V to paste it > continue until each cell of the table has your card showing
   
   
9. Your cards are now ready to print
   
   
10. You can use a perforated sheet for business card that you can buy from an office supply store or you can print out card onto card stock, just add a light border to the table to act as guide in cutting the cards out (table> table properties>boarders and shading>boarders tab>grid>1/4 pt line>ok)
    
    
11. Print out cards
12. Cut card out along perforated edges or cut with exacto knife and ruler

Microsoft has business card templates available on their website: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/CT101043091033.aspx

Printing them yourself lets you change information or make specific cards for specific jobs/events.

Professional Printing:

You can also have business cards printed at office supply stores. This is the best option if you need a lot of the same card printed. Most stores have a minimum order of a box of 1000 cards. The cost can be from $18 to $40 a box depending on what options you want.

Professional Options: Can add graphics, different colors, text options, paper options

Office Max: http://www.copymax.xpressmyself.com/xp5/index.asp?parentid=501&wizardid=5012&gallery=2

Office Depot: http://www.officedepot.com/browse.do?Nr=200000&N=201524

Kinkos: http://www.fedex.com/us/officeprint/storesvcs/businessdocs/cardstationery.html?link=2