Graduation is an exciting time. It is also a time you want to share with all your friends and family members. This is easily done with graduation announcements. However, buying them can be fairly expensive and making them may feel overwhelming. Fear not, you can make great graduation announcements at home with only a little time and effort.
What You Will Need.
You will need a computer with a publishing program (Word, Publisher, Paint, or Photoshop for examples), a printer, ink, and cardstock. You will also need envelopes and stamps to send them out. Additionally you will need a good pair of scissors or a paper cutter. If you want to get creative and add a personal touch you may want confetti, gel pens, paper cutters, or some other paper crafting tools or supplies.
Creating Your Design.
Begin your project by deciding what size your announcement will be. Some easy choices are 1/3 of the cardstock. This design is small and feels narrow to work with, but can look good and fits in a standard size envelope. You can then cut the paper in thirds when they are done printing. This is done at the lines that you would use to fold the paper in thirds. Another option is printing two per page and folding them in half. This has a nice look, but often needs to be double sided. This card would then fit in an invitation envelope. Another option is to print four per page (one for each corner) and cutting them out this way. This fits in the same size envelope as one folding in half, but doesn't require you to do anything to the front (being one sided). Choose your size and shape.
To create your design you will want to open the program of your choice. Using graphics, word art, pictures, and text create your design. This doesn't have to be real hard. Begin by acknowledging the size of the card. Work in that space. Add one or two graphics or pictures. Then add a heading in word art. Finish by supplying all your details with text. Arrange it so that it is appealing to the eye, easy to read, and easy to understand.
Double Check.
Double check to make sure that you have all the information that is needed. This will often depend on whether or not you are making just an announcement or if you are also making an invitation to the graduation or a graduation party. Include the what, where, when, and any other details that maybe needed. If it is invitation, make sure you include some directions and a method of contact in case someone has a question.
Fill the Page.
You then want to copy your design and post it on the other sections of the page so that the page is full. This isn't always easy (depending on the program you are using), but should be done for the best printing results.
Test Print.
Once you are feeling good about your design, you are sure all the details are there, and you are feeling good about how many are on the page and how they are arranged it is time to do a test print. Print it out. Double check to look for errors. Make sure that everything fits as it should. Make any adjustments to your page that you need. Reprint a test page if any changes were made. Continue the process till you feel it is about perfect.
Print.
Print all of your announcements out. You will want to include a few extra in case you think of others that you want to send out later on. You will also want to make sure that you include a few for the graduate to have. They can then give them out to friends or keep them for a scrapbook (or both).
If your printer is one that is rather expensive to use you may want to consider having them copied at a print shop. Often color copies can be a little pricey, buy may be a lot cheaper then a printer with expensive ink.
Cut and Prepare.
You will want to cut them all out. For the straightest line use a paper cutter. However, if there isn't one available then it is a good idea to use a good sharp pair of scissors. Once they are all cut out you can add any personal touches that you wish to add.
Some options include confetti, a paper stamp or cutter in a good shape (graduation cap or diploma are good options), embossing, or even just signing your name. However, keep in mind what you want to do, how long it will take, and the number of announcements that you will be doing. A lot of announcements with a lot of personalization and detail can be very time consuming and even exhausting.
Send Them Out.
Once all the details are added (if you are adding some) then all that is left to do is send them out. Address the labels, add stamps (thank goodness for self stick stamps), and mail them off.
Congratulations on your graduation! And away you go announcing your success (or the success of your child) to the world! You can make quick, easy, and less expensive cards with a little work and a little time!