Help with banners, please?

[Ed]

I have Publisher 2000 on a Win98SE system with an HP DeskJet 3520. This
printer does not support printing on continuous banner paper, but I don't
think that's what I want anyway. I'm thinking of a Happy Birthday-type
banner with each letter in a graphic, kind of like the things that unfold
and are liked at the corners. 8 1/2 by 11 seems way to big for this,
though.

While I know how to make things happen with most computer programs, you can
probably tell I'm not real gifted in the creative project department! Has
anyone tackled a project like this and can give me some pointers? Like:
what kind of paper is good to print on that will hold up to this and still
be easy to work with? am I getting myself into way too much work? are
there any photos of something like this that I can get an idea of what it
should look like (as opposed to what I will probably come up with!)?

Any pointers are appreciated.
Ed

 

[Mary Sauer]

I've made many banners, some on continuous paper, some on stock that has to be
trimmed and glued. It is a simple operation. What do you mean when you say
letter stock is too big. What is liked at the corners (typo maybe)?

There is help on the Microsoft site
Create and print a banner, poster, or other large publication
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HP051148201033.aspx
Tips for assembling a poster or banner
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HP030748621033.aspx

 

[Ed]

Hi. Mary. Thanks for the reply.

What is liked at the corners (typo maybe)? Oops! That should have been:

When I said:I was thinking (trying to picture this in my mind - not always a best
practice!) of "Happy Birthday", a space on either end, and a 5 to 9
character name with spaces on either end - about 25 figures, give or take a
few, depending on the name. That's about 18 feet long, printing on the
narrow width. So I of course trim around the graphic, whatever it is. Now
I'm throwing paper everywhere, and of course it won't be the cheapest white
stuff I print on. Plus hand-cutting each of these. But it is
cost-effective to buy smaller "craft-size" papers? And from a creative
person's perspective, what _is_ a good size? Most of the ones you buy in a
store look like they're maybe 4 or 5 inches square.

I know I'm rambling, but I feel as lost as trying to buy my teen daughter a
dress!
Ed

 

[Mary Sauer]

Ed, I am not completely sure of what you speak.
There are papers that are quite nice that you could use for the cut-outs,
postcard stock is heavier, easy to use. You can setup your page with 2 columns,
2 rows and away you go. You can print four cut-outs at a time. Avery has glossy
postcards, pricey but eye-catching. They are usually 5.5 x 4.25. You can buy
larger size with two to a page, these are great for borderless printing.
You can setup the banner in Publisher for any length. Let us know if this isn't
clear enough.
http://www.avery.com/

 

[Ed]

Thank for trying to help, Mary. Sorry I'm so muddled. I'll wade in deeper
and scream for help if I get stuck. 8>}
Ed