TT: Bookplates Tutorial

Written By: Jane E. on April 6, 2009 14 Comments

Hi everybody!

I was asked recently for a signed bookplate. Making bookplates, or buying them, for that matter, hadn’t entered my head until that moment. I loved the idea and decided to google, ask questions, and figure out how to create bookplates to send to fans. I’ve posted below the step by step instructions on exactly how I did that; other writers may have other ways of making these, this is the easiest way I’ve found. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to post them in comments or send me an email

~Jane

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Open Microsoft Word

Click Tools

Click Envelopes and Labels

Now, I bought Avery white shipping labels size 2×4, so I make sure to click on Avery number 8163 next.

In the same little box, click on FULL PAGE OF THE SAME LABEL

Now click NEW DOCUMENT

Next you’re ready to insert your picture. I had actually created my picture in Adobe Photoshop, so that’s the picture I went after. I also made sure my picture was the exact size of the cell and the label: 2×4. If it isn’t, you should probably resize to the same size as your labels

Click INSERT

Click PICTURE

Click FROM FILE

Find your picture, then double click it, and it’ll show up in the first cell

Now, once the picture is in the cell, double click it

Click LAYOUT tab

Next click BEHIND TEXT under wrapping style

Then click ADVANCED

Now click the PICTURE POSITION tab

Click the little arrow DOWN next to ABSOLUTE POSITION until the number is 0″

Click OK

REPEAT STEPS FOR EACH CELL, filling cells with either same picture, or you can fill each cell with a different picture. Up to you. I varied mine a little.

WHEN CELLS ARE FULL OF YOUR PICTURES, CLICK PRINT. MAKE SURE YOUR PRINTER IS SET ON HIGHEST QUALITY SETTING.

There you go! Now I simply cut apart the labels and they’re ready to send.

Notes: I’ve found that the 2×4 size is lovely, but I may go a step larger the next time I buy labels, to 3×5. It’s really a personal preference, so buy whichever size you’re more comfortable with. They make very large ones, as well!

Here are pictures of two of my finished bookplates–

If you’d like a signed bookplate and a cup cozy I knitted, or a bookmark and a cup cozy, just go to my website, grab my snail mail addy, and send me a SASE.

Here is a picture of one of the bookmarks I made:

Some places you can find pictures are:

GoDigitalScrapBooking.com (beautiful graphics!)

godigitalscrapbooking, Christy Skaggs (I LOVE this place. It’s where I got the graphics for my website)

Digital Scrap Garden, Christy Skaggs (Ditto)

iStockphoto.com

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My thanks to Loretta Rogers and Anita Philmar for their tips, advice, and help!

~Jane

Tags: Bookplates, TT, tutorial

14 Responses to “TT: Bookplates Tutorial”

Pamela Sweet says on: 7 April 2009 at 12:00 pm

Hi Jane! Great tutorial! I’m definitely going to try this. Your bookplates and bookmark look great!
Jane E. Jones says on: 7 April 2009 at 12:13 pm

Thanks, Pam:)
They’re really fun to do!
Faith Bicknell-Brown says on: 7 April 2009 at 12:18 pm

Wow! This is soooooo cool. Thank you for sharing, Jane!
Jane E. Jones says on: 7 April 2009 at 12:34 pm

Hi Faith!
Thanks! And thank you for stopping by.
I hope you enjoy making the bookplates. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me
Betti O;Brian says on: 7 April 2009 at 2:18 pm

Good Afternoon.

I love these. Do you know if the directions would be the same for Microsoft 2007?

Thanks,
Betti
Jane E. Jones says on: 7 April 2009 at 2:33 pm

Hi Betti!
I’m sure it would be similar, but since I used Office XP I really couldn’t say for sure. Probably the method of getting there might be a bit different, but you could probably find the same steps with a little bit of looking. Good luck!
Diana Castilleja says on: 7 April 2009 at 2:57 pm

Thank you for posting this! I knew there had to be a way! *mwah*
Jane E. Jones says on: 7 April 2009 at 3:10 pm

Hey Diana! It’s good to see you again:)
I hope all is well with you and that you find the tutorial helpful. Thanks for coming by!
Sandra Kay says on: 8 April 2009 at 12:12 am

Thanks for this tutorial. I needed the help so badly! lol

Sandra
Jane E. Jones says on: 8 April 2009 at 12:31 am

Hey Sandra! So glad you could use the tutorial. I’d love to see what everybody creates. If you post a photo of your bookplates on your website, let me know so I can have a look:)
Pamela L. says on: 8 April 2009 at 4:59 am

That looks like fun. And they’re something one can bring to a book signing or enclose as a small gift.

Lovely work!
Jane E. Jones says on: 8 April 2009 at 1:09 pm

You’re right, Pamela, they really are nice to have! And they’re fun to do
Jacquie Rogers says on: 13 April 2009 at 2:26 am

Jane, your book plates are gorgeous! Thanks for posting this.
Jane E. says on: 21 April 2009 at 12:53 am

Thanks, Jacquie! And you’re welcome;)