Urgent Help Needed Please To Make A Leaflet

[Ann]

Hi all - wonder if you can help me please. I have offered to produce an A4 landscape double sided leaflet which folds into 3 with downwards folds (rather like those you get through the door for Chinese restaurant menus!)

The problem is - my computer is old (like me!) and I only have Microsoft Word 2003 (please don't be clever and say get an update as this job has to be done by the weekend)

I have gone into Word to set it up as follows:
File, Page set up, Landscape. Set margins to TOP 0.5 inches (all mine are listed in inches not cm) BOTTOM 0.5" LEFT 0.5" RIGHT 0.5" GUTTER 0" GUTTER POSITION Left.

I have then clicked the tab Format, and chosen Columns Three
Width and spacing Col1 2.6" Spacing 1"
and ticked box = equal column width.

Now on the screen I have typed up my leaflet which looks perfect but when printing it out and trying to fold it into three equal parts - the "pages" do not align correctly as there is a bigger margin on the right hand side than on the left hand side. I have been trying to do this leaflet all day - any ideas what I'm doing wrong please? Could it be something to do with how I've set up the gutter (what does that mean please?)
Please help me if you can understand what I'm trying to do, it's so hard to explain - thanks...........x

[Buenchico]

I really, really, really HATE ruddy Microsoft Word! It seems determined to use settings which are different to the ones that you've chosen. OpenOffice Writer is better but, for what you're trying to achieve, I wouldn't use any word-processing software. My own preference would be to use a decent DTP program, such as this freebie (which I do, indeed, use myself):
http://www.serif.com/desktop-publishing-software/?mc=FSSPAGEPLUS

However, if you're determined to stick with the dreaded Microsoft Word, try using the 'Brochure' template:
http://www.ehow.co.uk/how_5250216_make-brochures-microsoft-word.html

[Ann]

Thanks Chris, I knew you'd reply quickly! :)
I will take a look at both suggestions, thanks.
At the moment I really, really, really HATE .... MY COMPUTER!! Bring back pen and ink!! ;) x

[Ann]

Tried to get the Brochure template by clicking File, New, templates but it comes up with an error message 404 File or Directory not found.

[Buenchico]

Well I'd definitely try a DTP program then!

Have you got Microsoft Publisher? If so, use that; otherwise try PagePlus.

[bazwillrun]

ok not sure if your version of Word can do this but see if you can save it in a pdf format and print from the pdf.

I use the current version of Word and have print issues that only resolve by doing what I suggested above.

Word always seems to resize and seems unable to deal with the printers I have and how they deal with margins and document dimensions.

[Tuvok]

I too hate Word and only use it when I have to.

I have come across this quir as well with Word.

What you could try is set the margins left and right to zero, then set your columns to 3 columns with no gap. Then use the rule/tabs to set indents on your text to bring them in from the edges.

When you print Word will delightfully tell you your margins are wrong - don't let Word fix them for you. Better still, save as a pdf before you print - remember take off fit to print when printing the pdf otherwise it may scale the page mucking up the margins.

If you have Publisher you could try using it instead.

At work I use InDesign. I know for a while Adobe made CS2 available for free - CS contains Photoshop, Acobat, InDesign etc ... you could see if it ismstill available.

[Tuvok]

"quirk"

[Tuvok]

PS. Another work around for Word is see how much its offseting your columns, then adjust your columns

eg. if column 1 is shifted by 2cm, move it 2cm in opposite direction in the document, then see if it shifts again when printing or is now in the right place.

[boxtops]

Would it make a difference if you produced the document in Excel (so you could control the columns) but told it not to print the gridlines when you print it out?

[bookbinder]

I'm sorry that I can't help, Ann, but I thought that you might like to know what a printing company would call your leaflet. It's a six-page letterfold. Best of luck.

[Ann]

Thanks all for your valuable advice. I'm glad most people are telling me is a quirk of Word why it won't print out properly, I was beginning to think it was me! Some of the programs suggested are a bit beyond me as I'm not a techie but I'll have another play around before I physically cut the columns out, paste in the correct place and photocopy! ;)

[bookbinder]

A gutter is the space (usually vertical) that separates two pages of text on a sheet of paper that has to be folded. The layout of your A4 sheet should look like this, reading from left to right:
left margin; text (page 1); gutter; text (page 2); gutter; text (page 3); right margin.
Insert a figure (let's say 0.5 inch to start with) into the gutter value box. If you have two such boxes, put the same figure in each. That should have the effect of pushing pages 2 and 3 towards the right margin. Try other gutter figures until the layout looks OK.
I have to leave my PC now, and won't be back until about midday, but I'll look in then and see how you're getting on. Good luck.

[HansUrbancka]

Perhaps the following will be of some help.

http://www.officearticles.com/tutorials/create_a_tri-fold_brochure_in_microsoft_word.htm

Hans.

[Ann]

Thanks all. I have actually messed about with the margins, gutters etc and finally produced a leaflet - not perfect, but acceptable. I agree with Chris that Word does not do what you think it's going to do - it has a mind of it's own! Thanks for the brilliant advice and explanations. I will look up all the links everyone gave me for future reference. Thanks you all for your kind and helpful replies. x