How to Make Personal Graduation Stationery

Looking for graduation stationery? You can save money and personalize your stationery by making it at home. You don't need high-end software or an artist's eye to create attractive and affordable stationery.

First, look for graduation clipart. If you have Microsoft® products on your computer, you can download free clipart and graphics. Click on "Clip Art" and start searching. You can also use the phrase "free graduation clipart" on a search engine to locate many sites that offer clipart free of charge. When you find an image you want, you may either save the image by right-clicking it, selecting the "Save As" option, and specifying a location to save the image; or you may right-click the image, select the "Copy" option, and paste it into your word processor document.

A more time-consuming--but more personalized--option is to create your own clipart. If you don't want to spend all day at this task, you have a few easy ways to do this. You can use the basic drawing tools in your word processor to create simple pictures. Say, for instance, you want to create your own graduation cap. Click the command to insert a drawing into your blank document. Mentally break the image down into simple shapes: a small circle for the button, a diamond for the top, and a curved polygon for the bottom (see Figure 1). Position the shapes and add any other basic shapes or details you think are necessary to complete your clipart skeleton (see Figure 2). Add color, if you wish, and layer shapes by sending certain ones to the back or front of other shapes (see Figure 3). If you add color, don't forget fill effects and shadows. With a click of a button, you can add some depth to your clipart. Add any finishing details, such as the tassel. (see Figure 4). When you are done, you can move this group of images as one unit and position it in your document.

Another simple method to make your own clipart is to use a photo of yourself or something else that represents you. Use a digital camera to take a new picture and load it into your computer, or use a photo you have already saved to your computer. You can insert this photo into your word processor by going to the "Insert" menu and clicking insert picture "From File." You can also draw a basic shape (circle, heart, starburst), but when you select the fill for the shape, instead of selecting a color, select the photo from its file. A photo doesn't have the same look as drawn clipart, but it can be an equally interesting way to illustrate your stationery.

If you have access to a scanner, you can also draw your picture by hand, scan it into the computer, and position it in your document as you desire.

A final easy way to create a graphic for your stationery is to use words instead of pictures. You may wish to make your first name the graphic centerpiece of your graduation stationery. "WordArt" or "TextArt" is a useful command to create large and interesting text displays. This command will allow you to use different fonts, colors, fills, and shapes to create a unique text graphic.

Once you have decided on your primary graphic, choose a position on the page for it. You may wish to place it at the center of the bottom, or in the top right corner, or even in the middle of the page. Position your graphic as desired. Then consider some other design elements. You may wish to include none of them, or you may find that one or two add the finishing touch to your personal graduation stationery. However, you probably do not want to include all of them, or you will have a cluttered page. Other design elements include the following:

1. Page border. Some word processors include different options for page borders. Check under Page Setup or the Format menu for borders.

2. A quote. If you have a fun quote to include, insert a text box in your document and type in the quote. If you want to reposition it, all you have to do is click on the box and drag it to another position on the page.

3. Writing lines. If you plan to handwrite your messages, and you have a hard time keeping your writing in straight lines, you may want to insert some horizontal lines like you would find on tablet or notebook paper. Of course, if you are typing your message, you want to add the message as part of your design process.

4. Your address. You're not exactly creating formal letterhead, but if you want to include your address on your stationery, insert a text box in one of the corners. Although it may be an important part of your stationery, you don't want it to be the focal point. Don't draw undue attention to it by making it too large or too ornate.

5. A watermark. You can create a watermark using any image, photo, or clipart saved on your computer. This command creates a washed-out version of whatever image you select. You might choose to use your clipart twice, once as a faded watermark, and once as a full-color graphic.

When you are satisfied with the design, print your personal graduation stationery. You can use it to send out party invitations, thank you notes, graduation announcements, or personal letters.