January 21, 2011

Printing In a Square - Perfect; Cutting The Same - Just Didn't Work

I was so excited I figured out how to print in a square! I hand drew a design for my Dallas calling card that is a window and I wanted my information nicely typed as the back of my calling card. Well let me tell you, easier said than done!!! Let me take you through the process and maybe you will need to print something in a square in the future and you will be able to do because you read this.

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Well I am going to Dallas for the Provocraft sponsored Swarm and I can't wait. As you know you need a calling card to trade with others that identifies you, with your name, MB name, email and blog address. All of you that are followers know that I love window cards and it has almost become my signature so I decided to make a window calling card! The Gypsy design was easy but yikes it is not easy to get your print in a square!  I sent Okie a private message asking how to do as I remember she was the one that taught us to print in a circle and Okie sent me the instructions to that stating that she had never designed an object that printed like I needed.
Below is the design for the back of my calling card on my Gypsy, you can see how the cut will fit nicely.

I changed my column width so that it would accommodate my 3x3" square. I used only 3 columns as you can see and adjusted each width differently to accommodate the letter height. Admittedly I played with this a lot to make sure that I not only would fit within the 3x3" square but I also need to allow for the center to be cut to hold the integrity of the design. Next time I will design the back then the card to fit it, not the other way around! teehee
Now to get the sides to print you must click on format cells.
Then you will click on Alignment.
Then you will adjust your test for a + or - 90 degrees depending on the direction of your text.
After the design was complete on one of the blocks I did copy past until I had 6 on a page. I then printed the pages on card stock and decided this is will be the next hurdle that I need to jump through. The printer I have had to use a sheet feed for the card stock so there is a little variance on each sheet. So after I get my first pages aligned perfect for the cut on the Gypsy I will group the 6 together and just adjust the paper on the mat for that precise fit. And I will pray a lot too!
I measure so so carefully and then remeasured and adjusted my Gypsy design.
I tweaked each little square to match the screen mat and the paper mat.
And I cut. If you look closely it did not line up at all! But I kept trying page after page and for some reason I could not get this straight in my mind. The design is perfect. The printing is perfect. But my mind still can not get the two together.
I did not give up and kept trying.
And after 2 stacks this high and 4 hours of my life gone to the trash can I decided to print on the back of my calling cards.
I have to share that before I posted this I shared it with Pam at The Bug Bytes. She figured it out... I should have cut my design first from the Gypsy then adjusted the paper end  to accommodate the cut. I explained that I am not that astute with Excel and she said that I should use Photo Shop to put it exactly where I want the square I made on the page.... Well the bad news is that I don't have Photo Shop yet so I guess I will be printing on the back of my cards, and that will be OK.
So what do you think???
This is a little sneak peek of my calling card.... Do you like it? Don't you love the window? Is it OK with just the printing on the back, in you opinion?
And which should I do; glitter or glossy accents? These last 3 photos were taken with my phone so the quality is not that good and the color is more vibrant in person. I am really anxious for your opinion.
Thank you for joining me today. I hope you enjoyed working through this project with me and learned something new that you can use. And thank you also for your sweet words of encouragement. Your comments inspire me to continue sharing with you. Have a blessed day.
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21 comments:

Josie0602 said...

Your calling cards look great! I like the Glossy Accents ones the best!!

Stacy said...

Sheila,
I think your cards turned out great. So sorry you had a hard time getting them done.
I also like the glossy accents one.
Hugs
Stacy

Brenda said...

I love your calling cards with the window! I like the Glossy Accents one the best, your name pops more with it. The glittered one good too, but is harder to see what it says.

K-E Kreations said...

I love glitter, but I have to agree that the glossy is easier to read this time.

Nana Donna said...

Sheila they are so so you! But I have to say I like the glitter one, but take both kinds. I so wish I was going with you and Melissa.

Sandi Clarkson said...

Sheila, you have such a knack for finding complicated projects! But you always find a way to pull it off .. go you! Love the card. I agree that the glossy one is easier to read and folks would probably appreciate not getting glitter all over creation. But .. the glitter is so YOU! So either one would work!

Bamabel said...

These are the cutest calling cards I've seen! I like both the glossy accents and glitter, but lean more towards the glitter too. It just reminds me of you. I am so jealous too! You are going to have so much fun! I wish I could go!!! Yall have a ball!

Barb Craft said...

Look at how clever you are! You never cease to amaze me with your creative ways!! I LOVE your calling cards... they are so you! I love both looks... I would probably prefer to receive the one without glitter just because I wouldn't want glitter all over my things.. but the glitter is sooooo sassy lady!! Either way you can't go wrong!! I may be going to this event too! It is 10 minutes from my house! We had a trip scheduled already since it is spring break week here in Texas and I am getting back on Saturday. I am just trying to decide if it is worth it for Saturday afternoon and Sunday... we'll see!!
Barb :)

Measha06 said...

Well Sheila I agree with your previous comments and I prefer the glossy accent finish. I think the design is cool and you are addressing something I have wondered how to do for ages to marry up cricut cut with printing. Suppose that is where the Imagination came from, some similar thought but the Imagination doesnt really address this kind of issue.

Sandy from Ukiah said...

Oh Shelia, I LOVE your calling card, it is definitely you. I love the glitter, but would probably go with the glossy.. So excited that you are able to go. hugs

Jeannie said...

I have to say, glitter. I think of you each time I use glitter!

papillon digital design said...

Love the card and can't wait to get one in dallas :)

Dawn McCarty said...

Love your cards. I like the glossy better. I dont like glitter on me. You could do glitter with glossy over it. have fun

dawn

Anonymous said...

Hey...can you let me know where I can find more info on the swarm? Thanks!
I like both..I like it being handwritten b/c I've always loved seeing people's handwriting, makes it much more personal.
And both are great...maybe add some glitter somewhere but keep the Glossy Accents...or do both!!! LOL!!!

Audrey Frelx said...

Sheila, I just love your calling cards!!! Sure wish I could join you all in Dallas. I had hoped too, unfortunately, things don't always go as planned!

mfc.melissamade2 said...

Sheila - the pink glitter is so you and you know it! Yes, maybe the glossy accents are more visible but the glitter says Sassy! LOL - hmm that writing thing is annoying - PhotoShop hmmm, I'll have to try that!
Hugs,
M

cardchick's world said...

I like the glossy accents...your name is much clear and readable....have fun!!!

Michele said...

How fun and so unique and pretty! How come sometimes I really really want to use glitter/bling but it just doesn't seem to work...

I love your design but the glossy shows up your name so much better. Also maybe a solid square behind your name and printed paper letters with gloss?

the back of the card is perfect!!!! Love it!

KarenLinPA said...

I like the glossy accents best. You can always print your info on clear labels & affix it to the back if you don't want to print it by hand. I think they make clear return address size that would fit. If not, you could trim down a regular size label (print 2 or 3 lines per label & cut them in strips so they are skinny enough for the edges of your frame).

Measha06 said...

I was thinking during the day today, could you not glitter them first and then put some glossy accents over the glitter, which would encapsulate the glitter so it doesnt fall off and glitter all the recipients of the cards, but you would still have the lovely sparkle of the glitter.

scrapnlifeaway said...

I would have posted sooner, but was at a weekend scrapbooking retreat!! Sooo cold!! But sooo much fun!!! Well, I think you need to do half and half... You have a glitter girl spirit, but the glossy accents gives it a classy look!! Why not do both!!! Have a great week!!