How to Make a Cookbook Template

Cookbook templates provide you with many sizes and design themes opportunities. Produce your creative talents and your favorite recipes in a cookbook that fits your personality and tastes.

Items Needed to complete project:

- Computer

- Printer

- MS Word 2007 software

- Paper

Step 1

Choose a size for your template. Choose either an 8.5 x 11 sheet template or a 5 x 8 card size. Open a new MS Word document. Adjust the blank page layout according to the size required, by selecting the Page Layout button at the top of the screen. Choose the Size button, and choose the size form the drop down window.

Step 2

Collect the needed recipes for your cookbook. Use the blank MS Word document to type one of the recipes. Do not worry about format yet, just get the recipe typed into a blank document. Use text blocks for each section of the recipe. Look at what the recipe consists of; you will see ingredients, utensils and pans need, and instructional steps. Use these words as titles for each section of your recipe.

Step 3

Put your cursor at the top of the document where you typed the recipe. Insert a text box. Press the insert button at the top of the screen. Press the text box button on the right top side of your screen. Choose the simple text box from the drop down window. A text box will appear on your document. Place your cursor on the dotted line and left click to get a solid line box. Now drag the box to the top and adjust the size. Adjust the size by clicking on the corner of the box and dragging to the desired size. This is a title box, therefore, stretch the box long across the document page. Click on the button of the box and drag it up to make it narrow. Click inside the box and it will become a dotted line box again. The sample text inside is highlighted. Choose the font and type size at the top of the screen. Use a large 16pt bold font. Start typing your title, starting with "RECIPE TITLE: ". Type the name of the recipe in this block.

Step 4

Insert under the title box, another text block using the same procedure in step 3. Title this block as "EQUIPMENT NEEDED". Use big bold letters for the titles of each text box section. A Bold Arial 14pt is a good size and font for titles. Press the return or enter key to start on a new line within the text box. Type all the equipment used in your recipe. This could include bowls, whisks, spoons, measuring cups, frying pans, baking sheets, paring knives, etc. Type your list in a normal 10pt font size.

Step 5

Insert another text box under the last one using the instructions in step 3. Title this box "INGREDIENTS". Use the same bold font and font size as before. Cut and paste the ingredient list you had originally typed into the text box. Place your cursor on the first letter of your ingredient list. Left click and hold it while you drag the cursor to the last letter in the ingredient list. This will highlight your entire ingredient list. Place your cursor in the highlight text and right click. Choose cut from the window list. Place your cursor in the text box and right click. Choose paste from the window list. Adjust the text box to the size of the list, by left clicking on the solid line of the box at the center blue square.

Step 6

Insert a third text box under the ingredients box, using the same method as in step 5. Title this box "STEPS or INSTRUCTIONS". Use the same bold font and font size as with the other two boxes. Cut and paste the instructional steps that you originally typed into the document. Adjust the text box to the size of the instruction list. Use a normal 10pt font for the instructional list.

Step 7

Arrange the text blocks by dragging them around the page to fit your design. Add your theme by adding clip art pictures around the document. For example, you want to print a collection of Italian recipes. Click the insert button at the top of the screen. Select the clip art button. A clip art window will open on the right side of the screen. Type the word "Italian" into the search for box. Press the go button and a number of Italian clip art pictures will appear. Select the picture you would like to use and left click the picture and hold the click. Drag the picture to where you would like it to appear on your template. Adjust the size of the picture by left clicking on the small corner circle and dragging the picture form down to the needed size. Arrange the picture within your template by left clicking and dragging the picture to the desired location.

Step 8

Print the recipe template. Look for typing errors. Look at the format for a smooth transition between the text boxes. Correct any typing errors, missed steps, or design flaws as necessary.

Step 10

Save this document as your template. Use the template to copy onto other blank document page. Once copied, replace text within text boxes with your new recipes.