Decide on the size of your invitation card. Seeking the cheapest mailing option? Opt for a standard post card size (3 x 5 inches). Make a splash with an oversized card (5.5 by 8.5 inches) that costs a bit more to mail. Sending multiple pieces in an envelope? Design your card to be at least 0.5 inches smaller on all four sides than the envelopes you've purchased.
Pick an image for your invitation card from photos or drawings on your computer desktop, or purchase royalty-free art on CD. Choose a photo of the guest(s) of honor or a symbol that represents the occasion, like a cross, birthday cake or an umbrella for showers.
Open a new document in your word processing or page layout program sized to fit the measurements you have already chosen. Want to maximize your paper usage? Open an 8.5-by-11-inch document and drag two boundary boxes across the upper and lower halves of the page to produce two invitations per sheet.
Import your graphic image. Use your software menu commands to drag, insert or import the picture you've chosen. Once it's on screen, adjust the image accordingly to fit within the boundaries of the invitation layout.
Drag or insert a text box over or beside the image. Keystroke the invitation copy. Include pertinent information like the date, time, reason for the party and auxiliary data like "formal attire," "no gifts, please" or "RSVP by January 12th."
Try multiple configurations before choosing the final layout. Place the image to the left or right of the text or run it across the bottom or top of the card. Pleased with the arrangement? Try several font styles to see which is easiest to read, and you're done. Print a copy and make adjustments, if necessary.
Set type on two pages to make a self-mailer. Leave enough room on the side of the card that's to be stamped and addressed to guests. To output self-mailers, run one side of the card, replace the stock in the printer paper tray and run the second side. Use a paper cutter to separate and trim the invitations.
Feeling intimidated by the whole process? Get help from websites offering free, predrawn templates. You add the text and they take care of everything else. Some will even print the cards for you.