Microsoft Publisher

What is Microsoft Publisher? Microsoft Publisher is a program that allows you to create and edit items like cards, banners, brochures, and newsletters. It is different from Microsoft Word because it focuses more on design than proof-reading.

When you open Publisher, it will look like this:

To get started – pick an option from the menu on the left.

Using Publisher FINDING A TEMPLATE: There are many different templates that can help you make different things such as birthday cards, banners, postcards, and calendars.  Click on „Publication Types on the left pane.  A list of different types of templates will open. Click on the kind of project you want to make.  Once you‟ve chosen your template, you will see several designs. Click the one you like the best. You will be able to change it later. CUSTOMIZING: Once you‟ve chosen a template and a design, you can erase the generic messages and put in what you want. You can add in extra pictures, get rid of pictures you don‟t like, change the font, etc.

NAVIGATION: The left side of the screen (shown right with the yellow arrow) allows you to change the card design, font scheme, color scheme, and other features (the “other features” available depend on what kind of template you‟re using). The numbered squares at the bottom of the screen represent the pages of your card (shown right with orange arrow). Click on the number of the page you want to look at/edit.

Microsoft Publisher Activities

Publisher Activity # 1

Garage Sale Flyer Click on the „Flyers‟ templates and then click on the sub section called „Sale‟. You will be able to fill in your own information and change the look of the flyer by using the buttons under the „Flyer Options‟ section on the left. **Insert at least two pictures, use two different font style and two different fonts. **

Sample

Publisher Activity # 2

Birthday Card Click on the „Greeting Card‟ templates and find the section for birthdays. Pick a design and fill in the card with a personal message. Use the left pane to explore the different color and design schemes. **Use at least two different fonts and add a border on one of the pages**

Sample

Front of card

Inside of Card

Publisher Activity # 3

Gift Certificate Find the template called „Gift Certificates‟ and choose one that you like. A screen will pop up and ask you to fill in the information that will be on your gift certificate. Instead making a gift certificate for a monetary amount, think of a chore you could help your family with or a promise you could make (Straight As on your report card, Take out the Trash, etc). Once you fill the information in and click OK, you can change the font color or style, add different pictures, etc. **Insert at least one picture and adjust its size and position on the page. Be sure to use Word Art at least once as well**

Sample

Publisher Activity # 4

Business Cards Choose the „Business Card Template‟ and then choose „Plain Paper‟. Click on the template you like best. Think of a business you‟d like to start and add the information onto the card. Make any changes to the design using the Business Card Options on the left hand side. **Create a logo for your business using GIMP photo-editor and put the logo on your card. Make one professional card and one “fun” card**

Sample

Reprinted with permission from Project for Pride in Living (PPL), 2010.