How to Make an Invitation Template
using Adobe Pagemaker

For anyone who is new to Adobe Pagemaker or DTP software in general setting up an invitation template can become a bit overwhelming.
Well I am here to hold your hand and walk you through it step by step. When you have exact instructions setting up a template to make invitations will be a piece of cake. Once you have some of the basics of desktop publishing down, you'll be able to create all kinds of different templates. Use your imagination and see what kind of styles you can come up with.

To set-up a 2-up invitation template

Start by clicking on the Pagemaker Icon on your desktop or in the Start menu.

After the program launches select File > New

A new window will open - Document Setup.
The page size should generally be Letter which is 8 1/2" by 11". If you are working with a different sized paper choose the size of paper from the menu or choose Custom and enter the dimensions of the paper into the Dimensions boxes.

Next choose the Orientation of the invitation template. Tall or Wide (Wide can sometimes be called landscape)

The Options menu is somewhat irrevelent to this kind of template.

Enter the Number of Pages depending on what type of invitation you are creating. If you are creating a one sided card, or only printing onto the inside of the card then enter "1".
If you are creating invitations that have type on the front and inside then you will enter "2".

Next you will enter the size of each margin.
I recommend .25 to .5 inches for all margins.

Hit the OK button and the new document will open.

There are a couple tools you will need to be aware of for starters in designing this invitation template.
First, the toolbox located at the top left or right of the document. The two most important tools on this toolbox are the pointer and the text tool.

The pointer tool is used to select and move different objects throughout the page.

The text tool is used to create text. You can also use this tool to highlight text in order to change fonts, sizes, and type styles.

Also notice the rulers to the outer edges of the window. You will use these rulers to size the invitations. They will be a guide on where to place margins and also to make sure the text is in equal position for each side of the 2-up invitation template.

Now on to set up the layout for this invitation template!

select the pointer tool from the toolbox.
click and drag from the ruler at the left side of the page. Drag this line out onto the page and place it directly into the middle.
(for a tall page orientation place the guideline at 4 1/4", for a wide orientation the guideline should be placed at 5 1/2")

Repeat this step by dragging another guideline this time from the ruler at the top of the page. Place it also directly in the middle of the page.
Finish this step by adding two more guidelines to each side to create margins to both sides of each guideline. These guidelines should be placed at the same width as the margins at the edges of the page.

Now choose the text tool from the toolbox. Move the cursor to the page with your mouse and click onto it. A blinking cursor will appear. Now type your invitations text onto the page.
Once you have typed out all of the text use the text tool to click and drag from the front of the text to highlight all of the text.

Once highlighted choose Type > alignment > center

Now choose Type > font and scroll through the fonts to the one you wish to use.

Next choose Type > size and the appropriate size for your font and invitations.

Select the pointer tool from the toolbox and select the text. This will create a box of sorts with small bullets attached to either ends.
Using the pointer tool click and drag the left side bullet to the outer guideline on the right side of the page so that the text is centered onto the column on the right side of the page only. Make sure the text is centered vertically.
While the text is still selected with the pointer tool select from the menu Edit > Copy (or CNTRL+C) and then Edit > Paste (CNTRL+V). This will make a copy of the text you just created. Click on the copy and drag it to the bottom right side of the page and center it vertically.

Repeat these steps on the next page if you are creating both front and inside for a 2-up invitation template.

To set up a 4-up (or postcard) format invitation template

Follow all of the steps above. Once you have created the text for the invitation select from the menu Select all, then Edit > Copy (or CNTRL+C) and then Edit > Paste (CNTRL+V).
Move the copied text top a new section of the page and continue to paste copies until you have one for each quarter of the page.
You can also add lines if you like to make it more close to what a real postcard would look like. The key is to design what you want the card to look like and then paste it to each section of the page.

Description of tools in the toolbox

A. Pointer (mouse arrow) - Use this tool to highlight objects. While highlighted you can click and drag to move an object about the page, move guidelines and margins, and manipulate text and shapes.

B. Text Tool - Use this tool to create text. Also highlight text to change type styles, fonts, etc..

C. Rotator Tool - Use this to rotate text into a different position such as vertically or upside down. Click on the object with the pointer tool to highlight the object. With the rotator tool click onto one of the bullet points at the corner of the object. Now move the tool by clicking and dragging with your mouse to put the object into the desired position.

D. Line Tool - This line tool is for a kind of freehand line. Use this to make diagonal lines.

E. Line Tool - This line tool makes a straight line from point A to point B no matter where you drag the mouse.

F. Rectangle Tool - This Tool creates a rectangle on the page. Click and drag to make the rectangle bigger or smaller. The rectangle tool to the left makes a rectangle with a paper or colored background. The rectangle to the right makes a rectangle shape with a blank background.

G. Magnifying Tool - This tool allows you to zoom in and out on the page. By hitting the CNTRL button you can zoom out instead of in.

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