- There is a plethora of photo editing tools that come with Mac computers, but it’s easier creating greeting cards when tools are in the same program. It has more than 165,000 royalty free images and 4,800+ templates to help you build a customized card for any occasion.
- Almost any program, including high-end design software, can handle calendars, greeting cards, posters, newsletters, and other creative printing. However, with specialized creative print design software, you get increased ease-of-use, lots of templates for crafty projects, and fun clip art and fonts to go along with it all—without the steep.
- Application For Creating Invitations
- Program For Creating Invitations
- Websites For Creating Invitations
The ability to use and create templates is just one of them. You can use them to add some creativity to your work, or even organize your life with Numbers Organize Your Life With Numbers for Mac Organize Your Life With Numbers for Mac New Macs come with Numbers, a spreadsheet program that's perfect for helping you get organized.
When it comes to word processing, Microsoft Word remains the leader, especially in business environments. But it’s not the only game in townThe 7 Best Free Microsoft Office Alternatives for MacThe 7 Best Free Microsoft Office Alternatives for MacLooking for a free Microsoft Office alternative for Mac? Check out these great substitutes you can use at no cost.Read More. Many Mac owners turn to Apple’s Pages.
Why should you use Pages? One good reason is that it’s free. Macs now ship with Apple’s suite of productivity applications5 Reasons You Should Use iWork Instead of Microsoft Office5 Reasons You Should Use iWork Instead of Microsoft OfficeMany long-time Office users will be unwilling to transition away from the apps they're so used to working with, but it's time to give iWork another chance.Read More, formerly known as iWork. Besides Pages, this suite includes spreadsheet app Numbers and the Keynote presentation software.
The price isn’t the only reason to give Pages a spinHow the New iWork for iCloud Works With Your Apple DevicesHow the New iWork for iCloud Works With Your Apple DevicesiWork for iCloud is a suite of online office applications (consisting of Pages, Keynote, and Numbers) that sync with the Mac and iOS versions of the programs. The online versions of iWork mirror most of...Read More. The software’s packed with ready-to-use templates that will make your work look fantastic.
Pages Basics
At its most basic level, Pages is a word processorWrite!: A Minimal Word Processor with Cloud Sync, Markdown & MoreWrite!: A Minimal Word Processor with Cloud Sync, Markdown & MoreWhether you’re a blogger, note-taker, or quality-conscious social media addict, an app like Write could go a long way.Read More. As such, you can use the software for everyday word processing activities, such as creating a document, writing and editing text, importing elements like charts and pictures, and so on.
Pages also does an excellent job of opening non-Apple document formats, including Microsoft Word documents. Conversely, you can save documents from Pages into different formats, including Microsoft Word, PDF, and Plain Text.
Thanks to iCloud, you can open and edit Pages documents on other devices, including iPhone and iPad. When accessing your documents from iCloud.comHow the New iWork for iCloud Works With Your Apple DevicesHow the New iWork for iCloud Works With Your Apple DevicesiWork for iCloud is a suite of online office applications (consisting of Pages, Keynote, and Numbers) that sync with the Mac and iOS versions of the programs. The online versions of iWork mirror most of...Read More, you can do the same on Windows-based machines too.
Pages automatically saves documents as you work. For new files, Pages calls the file something like Untitled 1. When you’re ready to name the file, go File > Save from the menu bar and give the file a name.
To duplicate the file, go File > Duplicate and then give it a new name. Any change made after that will be on the new file, not the original. To save a copy of a document in another format, you must export it using the File > Export To command.
The Power of Templates
One of the most important features of Pages is its collection of ready-to-use templates. You can use these templates to create professional-looking documents without starting from scratch.
These templates fall under many categories, including Reports, Stationery, Resumes, Flyers & Posters, Cards, Certificates, Newsletters, and more. You can also access three additional templates under the Basic category, including Blank, Blank Landscape, and Note Taking. You can also create your own templates, which appear under My Templates.
For everyday work, I use a blank Pages template or another word processing toolIs It Time to Ditch Pages and Word for Ulysses?Is It Time to Ditch Pages and Word for Ulysses?In 2016, not everyone needs a full-service word processing program, which is why software like Ulysses exists.Read More. When I have something more creative in mind, I often turn to the Flyers & Posters or Certificates categories.
When you open Pages, click New Document at the bottom left on the main Pages windows to begin this process. You can also go File > New to create a new document when you’re already in the app. This takes you to the main Pages template screen.
On the left, you’ll see each template category. When you click on a category name, you’ll see thumbnails for each template available for that category. Once you find a template to use, highlight it and select Choose.
The first time I experienced Pages templates was when a friend asked me to help him create a newsletter for a local club. I couldn’t believe how great the document looked after little work. Here are some simple steps for creating good looking documents using Pages’ templates:
Creating Great Documents Using a Template
1. Open Pages, create a new document, and choose a template.
2. Edit the text and replace the photos.
3. Use the toolbar to add more pages as needed.
4. Be sure to save your work, and export to a format of your choice.
More Templates
Apple provides lots of Pages templates already. If you’re looking for more, consider the iWorkCommunity. It’s here where you can find hundreds of free Pages templates from other users. Templates for Numbers and Keynote are also available.
Create Your Own Templates
Why stop there? If you have an artistic side, consider designing templates, either for personal use or to share with others. You can start building your template from scratch by opening a blank page or by modifying an existing template.
If you are starting from scratch, be sure to add elements to your documents such as text boxes and shapes. Do this by going to the Insert menu or by clicking the icon in the toolbar.
To fill in the text boxes, you could generate some “Lorem Ipsum”s from the Lipsum Generator.
To add photos, music, and movies to your template, click on the Media icon on the toolbar.
Insert pictures by dragging and dropping them into your document.
You can edit every element of a page using the Inspector under View > Show Inspector. It’s the same process you use for standard Pages documents. You can add as many pages as you need, according to your needs.
Once you complete setting up your template, you need to enable every element on each page as placeholders. This way, you can customize those sections later when it comes to turning the template into a document.
To do this, go to Format > Advanced > Define As Text Placeholder or Format > Advanced > Define As Media Placeholder, depending on the element type.
The final step is to save your document as a template, under File > Save as Template. You can save the template to your computer only as a file or to the Template Chooser. If you select the latter, you’ll need to name the template.
Your templates will show up under My Templates on the opening Pages screen. You can delete templates by right-clicking on the template thumbnail.
Sharing Templates
If you want to share your creations, they are available where you save other Pages files. Typically, this is under your iCloud Drive > Pages.
Create a Masterpiece in Minutes
There are plenty of benefits to using Pages and the rest of the iWork suite. The ability to use and create templates is just one of them. You can use them to add some creativity to your work, or even organize your life with NumbersOrganize Your Life With Numbers for MacOrganize Your Life With Numbers for MacNew Macs come with Numbers, a spreadsheet program that's perfect for helping you get organized.Read More.
Do you use iWork templates and have any tips? Let us know using the comments below.
Explore more about: Digital Document, iCloud, iWork, Office Templates, Pages, Text Editor.
- This indeed looks pretty cool (like all other Apple software). But the price will keep me away from this. I did not even purchase Microsoft Office - my Open Office is keeping me pretty happy.
- Previous version of Pages as iLife had a lot more templates. Great in school but since upgrade we are so limited. Esp. brochures.
Why has Apple removed them?
I have MS Publisher, but have never been that happy with it (should I give it another try?). Any recommendations for invitation designing software would be most appreciated.
-Amelia
First off, I love your DIY attitude! Whether it's because of the rotten economy or because you want to add a personal touch, I support anyone who uses the tools at hand to bring their wedding to life. Invitations can really set the tone for your wedding (they're the first thing your guests see, right?) and it's not surprising that many couples want to have an active hand in this important first step.
Before I address your question about recommendations, let's talk definitions and uses…
Desktop Publishing Software
MS Publisher is a desktop publishing platform, meant to layout text and existing graphics; its primary utility is to produce reports and papers that are comprised of formatted text. I think the crew at Microsoft would quickly admit it's not meant as a primary design platform (they developed Microsoft Expression for that). Also, the end products of desktop publishing suites like MS Publisher are meant to printed at home on consumer printers.
Why is this important? Well, while there are some very good and relatively inexpensive consumer printers currently available, using a commercial print house affords a range of advantages such as quality of print, control over color (which is important to many brides and grooms) as well as having the input of professionals who can advise you on how your save-the-dates, invitations, programs and thank you cards can look their best.
If you do plan on printing on your home printer and MS Publisher isn't working out for you, I'd encourage you to explore other desktop publishing options:
Application For Creating Invitations
Apple's Pages (which comes packaged with the popular iWork suite) is a very user-friendly application. While many consider Pages to be Apple's answer to Microsoft Word, I think it's much more. It comes with a library of nifty templates (including two invitations!) that can be used as customizable foundations and features some solid design elements. The drag-and-drop ease of Pages makes it a fine option for Mac users who want an easy way to produce some basic print materials on their home printers.
Other alternatives include PagePlusX3 and PrintShop. Most of these applications have free trials available for download, so you can see if it's right for you before investing your money.
Graphic Design Software
Related Post10 design programs to use for your DIY wedding invitations (including 5 FREE ones!)Feeling the design spirit and want to DIY your own wedding invitation set? We feel you. Sometimes what you want only exists in your brain... Read more
While a desktop publishing program can handle layout duties for simpler, text-based invitations, design applications are the preferred tools for graphic designers and handy DIY-ers who craft more elaborate designs.
These types of applications allow much more freedom to work graphically, allowing the user to have complete control over the creation and production of a design. This includes working with vector graphics, photographs, hand-drawn visual elements and creating original design and sophisticated font treatments.
Adobe Creative Suite (which includes the programs Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign) is the standard toolbox for many professional designers and is the environment in which all our Royal Steamline designs are produced. However, while Creative Suite is extremely powerful, it is also pricey and requires time to learn, so it may not be a viable option for someone on a restricted budget and doesn't have the time or inclination to master a new piece of software. If you're already familiar with Photoshop and InDesign (or the illustrious Quark), there are a couple of free design and layout tools worth checking out, such as Gimp and Scribus.
Program For Creating Invitations
Tips for designing your own wedding invitations
- Define your design goals. Are your prints going to be mainly text-based? Are you going to print them at home? If so, a desktop publishing program will work just fine. If you're aiming for a richer design with a unique layout that includes original visual elements, you'll need to seek out a more robust design application.
- Try before you buy. Many applications have 30-day free trials.
- Have fun creating!
Websites For Creating Invitations
Be sure to check Offbeat Bride's amazing archive of wedding invitation DIY projects!