| Here's a great way to create your text boxes to fit your punches and your templates before you print them out! |
| Creating Perfectly Sized Text Boxes For Your Punches and Templates |
I wrote this article 2 years ago. It got picked up by a national publication, and then, at the last moment it was dropped. Oh well. After trying to
get it published elsewhere, I just decided where better to have it than here at Paper Designs By Barbara? I hope you find it useful!
get it published elsewhere, I just decided where better to have it than here at Paper Designs By Barbara? I hope you find it useful!
Create the Perfect Images for the MM Tag Maker™ or your Punches
By Barbara Eastwick
Has anyone else picked up that new toy from Making Memories™? I am really enjoying the Tag Maker. From the minute I started using it, I
knew I wasn’t even coming close to creating all of the things I could make with it. Plain or patterned paper was fine to start with, but I wanted
to make finished tags. Then I started playing with my clipart and my photos and editing them to fit inside the tag templates, instead of trying to
crop the photos after they were printed. What a difference! Now my tags are perfectly centered and shaped before I start cutting! This
technique works great for larger sized punches, too! And now that Making Memories has the coordinating punch for their tag templates – this
technique is even more useful! I use Printshop as it is a great program and I've been using Print Shop for decades!
Let’s take a look at how to make the template, scan it, and then we’ll bring up the scanned image in PrintShop to fill in our clip art. (I imagine
most clipart/ design type software will work, too). Start with a standard piece of white 8.5” x 11” copy paper. Using your MM tag templates (the
little plastic thing that comes in each pack of tag frames), trace an outline of each shape using a black marker (large, medium, and small).
You can fit several templates on one sheet of paper. IMPORTANT: leave at least a ¾” border around the edges, and give yourself a little
maneuver room between each template. (Fig 1)
By Barbara Eastwick
Has anyone else picked up that new toy from Making Memories™? I am really enjoying the Tag Maker. From the minute I started using it, I
knew I wasn’t even coming close to creating all of the things I could make with it. Plain or patterned paper was fine to start with, but I wanted
to make finished tags. Then I started playing with my clipart and my photos and editing them to fit inside the tag templates, instead of trying to
crop the photos after they were printed. What a difference! Now my tags are perfectly centered and shaped before I start cutting! This
technique works great for larger sized punches, too! And now that Making Memories has the coordinating punch for their tag templates – this
technique is even more useful! I use Printshop as it is a great program and I've been using Print Shop for decades!
Let’s take a look at how to make the template, scan it, and then we’ll bring up the scanned image in PrintShop to fill in our clip art. (I imagine
most clipart/ design type software will work, too). Start with a standard piece of white 8.5” x 11” copy paper. Using your MM tag templates (the
little plastic thing that comes in each pack of tag frames), trace an outline of each shape using a black marker (large, medium, and small).
You can fit several templates on one sheet of paper. IMPORTANT: leave at least a ¾” border around the edges, and give yourself a little
maneuver room between each template. (Fig 1)
Scan this template page at 100% size. Save the scanned image as a .jpg, if it doesn’t automatically
do that. Remember the file name where the image scanned to. Open Print Shop click on “new
projects” – “blank pages” – “tall” – “finish”. Now let’s go get our scanned image. Click on “Insert” –
“Import” – and use the drop down menu to find your image (I have a file set up for my scanned
images in ‘my documents’). Bring up the scanned templates, and stretch to fill the whole 8.5” x 11”
size – edge to edge – not just to the dotted edges (the printing area), but to the full size. This is
important. What-you-see-is-what-you-get (wysiwyg) software is what makes this technique possible.
By scanning at 100% and stretching to 100% of the size, we are able to make perfect templates.
Another great feature of this technique is that you only have to create and scan the templates once,
and then the scanned image is reusable forever (as long as you remember where you saved it!)
Okay, let’s add clipart! For these tags, I simply used some of the hundreds of thousands of clipart
images available within Print Shop. Click on “Art and Photos” – “Insert Art and Photos” – and
choose any design you want. You can use the image search engine on this screen if you’re looking
for something specific (i.e.: hearts, Christmas, snow, etc.). Choose your clipart by either double-
clicking on the art, or hit ‘select’ while the art is highlighted. The image appears back on our
project. Simply size the image, by using the arrows around the clipart, and move it to fit over one of
the templates. (Fig 2)
do that. Remember the file name where the image scanned to. Open Print Shop click on “new
projects” – “blank pages” – “tall” – “finish”. Now let’s go get our scanned image. Click on “Insert” –
“Import” – and use the drop down menu to find your image (I have a file set up for my scanned
images in ‘my documents’). Bring up the scanned templates, and stretch to fill the whole 8.5” x 11”
size – edge to edge – not just to the dotted edges (the printing area), but to the full size. This is
important. What-you-see-is-what-you-get (wysiwyg) software is what makes this technique possible.
By scanning at 100% and stretching to 100% of the size, we are able to make perfect templates.
Another great feature of this technique is that you only have to create and scan the templates once,
and then the scanned image is reusable forever (as long as you remember where you saved it!)
Okay, let’s add clipart! For these tags, I simply used some of the hundreds of thousands of clipart
images available within Print Shop. Click on “Art and Photos” – “Insert Art and Photos” – and
choose any design you want. You can use the image search engine on this screen if you’re looking
for something specific (i.e.: hearts, Christmas, snow, etc.). Choose your clipart by either double-
clicking on the art, or hit ‘select’ while the art is highlighted. The image appears back on our
project. Simply size the image, by using the arrows around the clipart, and move it to fit over one of
the templates. (Fig 2)
Fig 1
If your clipart falls behind the scanned image at any time, simply right-
click and choose “layer” – “send to back”, and the scanned image will
move to the back so you can see your clipart again. Now, speaking of
layering, let’s try adding some text over a patterned background. I
chose a clipart image of mottled colors, and added the word MOM over
the top. I chose the clipart, sized it to fit the tag, and then clicked on
“Text Tools” – “Insert Text Box”. I want the word to read vertically, so I
typed M(enter),O(enter),M(enter). Then I highlighted the text box, right-
clicked and hit “font” (or, with the word highlighted you can choose
“text” –“font” from the tool bar). I left the color black, but chose
“Banner” font – 36 size, and hit the “center justification” button on the
tool bar. You can reduce the outer area of the text box to fit the text
size, and then place over the clipart background, centering the word
where you want it to be.
click and choose “layer” – “send to back”, and the scanned image will
move to the back so you can see your clipart again. Now, speaking of
layering, let’s try adding some text over a patterned background. I
chose a clipart image of mottled colors, and added the word MOM over
the top. I chose the clipart, sized it to fit the tag, and then clicked on
“Text Tools” – “Insert Text Box”. I want the word to read vertically, so I
typed M(enter),O(enter),M(enter). Then I highlighted the text box, right-
clicked and hit “font” (or, with the word highlighted you can choose
“text” –“font” from the tool bar). I left the color black, but chose
“Banner” font – 36 size, and hit the “center justification” button on the
tool bar. You can reduce the outer area of the text box to fit the text
size, and then place over the clipart background, centering the word
where you want it to be.
(Fig 3) When you have your templates filled, you can click on the
background piece (the scanned template sheet), and hit delete.
Once you have the clipart filled into your tag templates, the rest is
easy! Simply print! Your printed images will fit the templates
perfectly.
I love the look I get with using photo paper. There's usually a sale
at big electronics stores and I pick up their store brand. It's great
for this, and the glossy print makes great tags!
Trace the outline of the template over your printed image, and cut
out.(Fig 4) I have found that if I use a thin marker to trace around
my image, that cutting just to the inside of my line is the perfect fit
for the frames. If the template has a rounded corner – then you
want to round your corners when you cut.
background piece (the scanned template sheet), and hit delete.
Once you have the clipart filled into your tag templates, the rest is
easy! Simply print! Your printed images will fit the templates
perfectly.
I love the look I get with using photo paper. There's usually a sale
at big electronics stores and I pick up their store brand. It's great
for this, and the glossy print makes great tags!
Trace the outline of the template over your printed image, and cut
out.(Fig 4) I have found that if I use a thin marker to trace around
my image, that cutting just to the inside of my line is the perfect fit
for the frames. If the template has a rounded corner – then you
want to round your corners when you cut.
Fig 2
Fig 3
Fig 4
Put your cut image into
the frame, put the frame
into the Tag Maker™,
and press. Voila! The
perfect image, fit to
perfection! (Fig 5)
Fig 5
As I mentioned, this technique also works great with larger sized
punches (Fig 6). Using black cardstock, punch out a sample of
each punch. Place your punched out black cardstock pieces on
your scanner (attempting to keep the images straight and level).
From here on, all of the instructions are the same as before!
punches (Fig 6). Using black cardstock, punch out a sample of
each punch. Place your punched out black cardstock pieces on
your scanner (attempting to keep the images straight and level).
From here on, all of the instructions are the same as before!
Fig 6
Fig 7
Scan your punched out images at 100%, and remember
what file it scans to. Open up Print Shop, and “insert”
your scanned image (a sheet of black shapes!)(Fig 7)
Stretch to the full size! Now let’s get a little fancy. Do
you have clip art from other programs? In this way, you
can choose any background you wish for the clipart, and
simply layer the image on top. You can find your clipart
by using “insert”- “import”- “c:drive”-“Your Clipart". I used
PC Hugware.
what file it scans to. Open up Print Shop, and “insert”
your scanned image (a sheet of black shapes!)(Fig 7)
Stretch to the full size! Now let’s get a little fancy. Do
you have clip art from other programs? In this way, you
can choose any background you wish for the clipart, and
simply layer the image on top. You can find your clipart
by using “insert”- “import”- “c:drive”-“Your Clipart". I used
PC Hugware.
Arrange them however it fits best for your project. Notice, also, in Fig
8, that there’s another snowflake background (Snowguys, Beth
Logan) getting ready to slide underneath the “Let it Snow” phrase
(Snow Daze, Kathleen Pierce). The other technique demonstrated
in Fig 8, is creating your own background for your clipart or phrases.
I made a text box, and using “Frosty” font-size 48, I typed the words
“Winter Joy”, and chose “white” for the font color. Place the text box
over the blacked-out punch image now (or else you’ll lose the box on
the white page).Then click on “drawing tools”-“insert a shape”, I
chose the circle. Then, click on “fill color”, choose blue, and then the
variegated ‘blue to white’ fade. I chose pale blue for the outline
color, and clicked “okay”. Then just size, stretching the circle into an
oval, and layer together with the “Winter Joy” phrase. Doing the
same procedure, only choosing a square instead of the circle, I made
the solid blue background for the trees (Cold Hands Warm Heart,
Laurie Furnell). I filled in the other shapes with Check Tree (Cold
Hands Warm Heart 2, Laurie Furnell), Birdhouse (In the Meadow,
Lori Gardner), Letter J (Trim the Tree, Debbie Mumm), and Tag
Trees (Snowguys, Beth Logan). From here, it’s real simple. You can
choose whether to delete the black-shapes background templates or
not. Click on a far corner, and hit delete. Just print, and get ready to
punch these out – they’re sized perfectly for your punches! You may
need to cut them in strips from the big sheet to fit them into your
punches.
8, that there’s another snowflake background (Snowguys, Beth
Logan) getting ready to slide underneath the “Let it Snow” phrase
(Snow Daze, Kathleen Pierce). The other technique demonstrated
in Fig 8, is creating your own background for your clipart or phrases.
I made a text box, and using “Frosty” font-size 48, I typed the words
“Winter Joy”, and chose “white” for the font color. Place the text box
over the blacked-out punch image now (or else you’ll lose the box on
the white page).Then click on “drawing tools”-“insert a shape”, I
chose the circle. Then, click on “fill color”, choose blue, and then the
variegated ‘blue to white’ fade. I chose pale blue for the outline
color, and clicked “okay”. Then just size, stretching the circle into an
oval, and layer together with the “Winter Joy” phrase. Doing the
same procedure, only choosing a square instead of the circle, I made
the solid blue background for the trees (Cold Hands Warm Heart,
Laurie Furnell). I filled in the other shapes with Check Tree (Cold
Hands Warm Heart 2, Laurie Furnell), Birdhouse (In the Meadow,
Lori Gardner), Letter J (Trim the Tree, Debbie Mumm), and Tag
Trees (Snowguys, Beth Logan). From here, it’s real simple. You can
choose whether to delete the black-shapes background templates or
not. Click on a far corner, and hit delete. Just print, and get ready to
punch these out – they’re sized perfectly for your punches! You may
need to cut them in strips from the big sheet to fit them into your
punches.
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Again, these really do come out looking like manufacturer cardstock
stickers - especially if you print on photo paper. I have always found
great deals at electronics store and the cost per sticker is a fraction of
the ones you buy. And the ones buy aren't personalized any way you
want them!! There are many advantages to making these yourself!
stickers - especially if you print on photo paper. I have always found
great deals at electronics store and the cost per sticker is a fraction of
the ones you buy. And the ones buy aren't personalized any way you
want them!! There are many advantages to making these yourself!