Microsoft Office is one of the most popular software packages around the world. It is very likely that the vast majority of the computers you have used have this package that offers programs such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Microsoft Office is also design
When talking about design developers, you will always hear about companies like Adobe and Corel. However, there is one program that goes unnoticed, but it really has a lot to offer.
For many, these programs are often a bit difficult to understand and operate. But Microsoft has wanted to establish a starting point if you are interested in entering the world of design.
What is Publisher?
That starting point is Microsoft Publisher, whose first version dates back to 1991. This desktop publishing program works with a system of design templates that are customizable by its users to create many extraordinary things such as diaries, calendars, cards, newsletters and brochures.
Gift boxes
Despite being considered a low-end editing program, it is indisputable that it has a great reach in creating design projects. You just have to use your imagination to realize it.
Using patterns
To carry out this project, you will not need much more than the use of the forms tool that Microsoft Publisher offers. Now, if you don’t have a very clear idea of the box you want to design, it is recommended that you look for a model on the internet.
As soon as you have that box model to fold with shape patterns, you will be able to look at the image you have achieved to start designing it on your computer.
How to create a gift box
When you are clear about the shape patterns that you are going to use, what remains is to draw through the shapes tool. From there, you can:
- Draw the necessary shapes for the creation of your gift box.
- Once you draw it, Publisher changes the ribbon to go to the shape’s properties, where you can change its size, color, fill, outline, and more.
- Copy and paste the figures that are repeated in the design of your gift box. If you need to give it another orientation (vertical or horizontal), you can press the shift key while rotating the shape, this way it will be straight.
Union of shapes
If there are two or more shapes that must be joined in your design, the process to make them one is really simple. You will only have to:
- Select the two shapes you want to join, holding down the Ctrl key and clicking on both shapes.
- Click on the Align button that you will find in the shape format tab. It is important that you perform this procedure to align both vertically and horizontally.
- If the main shape is being overshadowed by the one that should be in the background, you can solve that problem by using the send back button.
- Finally, to consolidate the union of the shapes, click the group button.
Insert pictures into shapes
With the previous process, you must already have the necessary pattern for the creation of your gift box, to add images to your new gift box, you must follow these steps:
- When all the shapes are in position, you can click the ungroup button to add images to a specific shape.
- Select those shapes on which you want to insert the image.
- In the “Format” tab, through the shape fill tool, click on the image option.
- You can choose an image on the internet or from your gallery.
- Repeat the procedure if there are more shapes to insert the same or a different image into.
Adding the finishing touches
What remains is to finish with the final touches of your box design, such as defining the fill color in the shapes that do not have image fill, the thickness and color of the borders.
In this way, your gift box designed in Microsoft Publisher is ready to be printed and surprise your friends or family with your best creations.