[Ham-Mac] Printing QSL Cards

[Richard Cincotta]

Luis, 
 
   I was asked several times about how I printed my QSL cards -- so I've created some step-by-step instructions, which follow.  

   I'm always open for new ideas and methods-- so if anyone can improve on this (and I'm sure someone can), I'd like to hear from them. 

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How I create and print my QSL Cards 
By Rich Cincotta, KI4FW   (ki4fw at arrl.net)

	I’ve created my QSL templates on an Apple IBook– however, similar software is available on PCs and the method is pretty unsophisticated (and could improve, I’m sure). 

My Objectives:  

(1)	A two-sided QSL card design putting all vital information on the front (which QSL bureaus prefer). 
(2)	A flexible design allowing me to “swap out” my own digital photos. 

The technology and materials used: 

(a)	A cheap but versatile paint/draw application.  I use Apple’s AppleWorks –- but similar applications are available for  PC/Windows computers.  
(b)	MS-Word (or a similar word processor that allows graphics to be introduced in a way that they will “float” over text. 
(c)	8.5 x 11-inch sheets of “standard matte coated postcards” (which break up into four 5.5 x 4.25-inch cards).  These can be bought at STAPLES and similar office supply stores. 
(d)	An excellent color printer. Today, these come cheap. If you have an old low-resolution color printer, ditch it and buy something new that is designed to handle digital photographs. I use a Canon i950. 


Step 1.  Create your QSL-card outline in your paint/draw program. I construct my QSL cards in paint mode (which makes bitmapped files). Draw a rectangular outline (there’s a rectangle tool), save it, and then rotate it by 90 degrees temporarily (don’t save). Then copy the sideways rectangular outline and paste it onto a blank, standard MS-Word document. The proper way to do this is to copy the image from the paint application and paste the image into MS-Word is: 
1.	Click on MS-Word’s “PASTE SPECIAL” feature (in the EDIT menu). 
2.	then in the next pop-up menu click “PICTURE” with the “float over text” option-box checked (this is the way the menu appears on a Mac).  
3.	Then widen the document margins. In MS-Word, you’ll need to nearly eliminate the margins to get four images onto the page.  This allows you to move the graphic around the page.  
4.	Paste the rectangular outline in each quarter of the page to see if four will fit.  Go back to the paint/draw application and change the size of the QSL outline until you’ve got the correct size. 

Step 2.  Once you have produced a rectangular outline that can fit into each of the four quarters of a page, print them out onto a plain 8.5 x 11-inch piece of paper to see how it prints out. If that works, fit your print out over a page of postcard stock to see how your outlines line up with the perforations separating the four postcards.  Once you have the rectangle/outlines lined up, you’ve got a template.  

Step 3.  Now, using the proper-sized outline in the paint/draw application, design you QSL. You can introduce emblem graphics from the web, or your own digital photos and text.  I’ve created templates for both sides, and design special cards for contests and seasons.  

Step 4.  Once you’ve got the QSL designed and ready in the paint/drawing application, turn it on its side and copy it into MS-Word using “paste special.”  Print them on a color printer. If you’re in doubt about how it will it look or print, then print it out first on a piece of paper rather than wasting postcard stock. 

A note about digital photographs: For my first QSLs, I introduced my digital photos directly into the paint program before floating them on the MS Word document. The paint program turned the photo into a low-resolution bit-mapped image that produced an effect reminiscent of an impressionist painting – which I liked.  But, to reproduce high-resolution photos (which are necessary if you have a picture of a person – like my Kids Day QSL) you’ll need to float the digital photo directly onto the MS Word document as the last step. So, the “painted” QSL image should go first (minus the digital photo), and then the digital photo should be imported into the Word document and maneuvered onto the card-image in a separate step. Again, you’ll need to turn the photo sideways before placing it into MS Word (90 degrees) to align it with the sideways QSL images that will print onto the postcard stock.  

I’m a new ham and have yet to buy a printed card. And, I get positive comments about my homebrew cards via email and on QSLs. I’ve seen homebrew cards that are much more creative than mine, and slick — produced with Adobe PhotoShop. I’ve got a few homebrew cards from Russians that are amazingly creative.  In fact, I’m still learning. 

I hope this is helpful.  

Regards,
Rich

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