Decide on your design. If you own Microsoft Word, consider using its WordArt feature to test some of your ideas. You can find WordArt in Word by going to the "Insert" menu, clicking "Picture," and selecting "WordArt." Choose the WordArt template you want to modify, type in your text, and change color, shadows, and shading until you like what you see. In Word 2007, you can find the WordArt command on the "Insert" ribbon, in the "Text" section.
Sketch the design you created in Word. You can draw exactly what you see or modify it as you go. Keep the WordArt you created in Microsoft Word open so you can make changes to it if needed, or simply make the changes directly to your hand-drawn word art. Consider techniques such as letters that alternate in size or drop-cap-style lettering. View different fonts in Word and try to mimic one of the fonts you like.
Color your word art with color pencils or pastels, then scan your word art into your computer and open it in your favorite graphics editing program to add special effects or artistic rendering. Save your custom word art and use it for letterhead, business cards or greeting cards.