How To Print On Index Cards : Step By Step Guideline
What Is Index Card?
Index cards are made from heavy paper stock, cut to a standard size, and used to store information that requires discrete storing and recording. Around 1760, Carl Linnaeus invented it. In North America and the UK, index cards are commonly 3 by 5 inches, hence the name 3-by-5 card. The popular ISO-size A7 as well as 4 by 6 and 5 by 8-inch sizes are also commonly available. You can choose from blank, ruled, and grid cards in different colors.
Similarly, stationers and office product manufacturers sell protruding tab divider cards as well as cases, trays, and tab trays to hold these cards.
In the United States, they are part of standard office supplies, but are not in other countries, such as China. It is almost unknown in former Soviet countries such as Russia. The use of index cards has been widely documented throughout history. These cards are used for a variety of purposes, including keeping recipes, shopping lists, project research notes, contact information, flashcards in schools, and academic research, notably for bibliographical citations and notes.
To record the title and citation information of works cited, use 3-inch by 5-inch cards, while larger cards should be used to record quotes or other data. You can use index cards to plan many events.
How To Print On Index Cards Easily
From recipes to flashcards, index cards can be used for many things. The following article will explain how you can print on these handy-sized cards.
Step-1:
Check your printer’s settings before purchasing index cards that fit its specifications. Printing on cards smaller than 3″x5″ is not possible with some printers. It is still possible to print the larger 4″x6″ cards in this case.
Step-2:
Print 2 pages using your printer and then move the printer to the next page so that your printer knows it is loaded with index cards.
Step-3:
Use your word processing software, such as Microsoft Word, OpenOffice, or MS Works.
Step-4:
For MS Word, click on the “Page Layout” tab.
Step-5:
Click the “Size” button in MS Word. According to your card size, choose either 3×5″ or 4×6″ for the dimensions. Index cards are also available.
Step-6:
Make sure all MS Word margins are within 1/2″.
Step-7:
Set the page orientation to “Landscape.”
Step-8:
You can select the “Format” tab at the top of the page if you are using OpenOffice. Select “Page” from the drop-down list. By changing the margins and page size, you can customize your document. Select “Landscape” for page orientation.
Step-9:
From the File dropdown menu, click “Page Setup” in MS Works. To select the size and landscape orientation, click the “Size, Source & Orientation” tab. After setting the margins, click “OK.”.
Step-10:
Write the text for your index cards.
Step-11:
To print, click on the “Print” tab.
How To Print On Index Cards In Microsoft Word
The printer needs to be checked before you start formatting Word. Even if you modify Word to your hearts content, if the index cards can’t actually pass through your printer, none of it matters.
The thickness of card stock can pose a problem for some older printers. Check if your printer is capable of handling thicker paper. Be sure to check for smears as well.
The following steps can be followed once you know your printer can handle the card stock:
- Click the Page Layout tab.
- Select Index Card or Postcard from the Size drop-down list in the Page Setup group. In Word 2003, select the Page Setup menu and select Paper. Select the proper Paper Size.
By default, Word prints cards in portrait mode. To change the orientation, select Landscape from the Page Setup drop-down menu. I’m done!
How To Print Both Sides Of An Index Card
If your printer does not have a built-in duplexer, you will need to do this manually so that you can print on both sides of cardstock or paper, such as an index card.
You must move each card from the output tray to the input tray while your printer prints the first side of each card.
Index cards printed on both sides are more economical, reduce storage requirements, reduce postage, and are safer to deal with than cards printed on one side only.
Step-1:
Open Microsoft Word. Select “Page Layout” from the menu, select “Size” and choose what size index card you wish. Select “Orientation” and choose “Landscape” to turn the card so the long edge is facing upwards.
Step-2:
For blank index cards, click “Breaks” then “Page” under “Document.” Each card should contain the information that you want. For example, pages 1 and 2 will be printed on one index card, while pages 3 and 4 will be printed on two index cards.
Step-3:
From the menu, select “File” and “Save As.” Navigate to the folder you wish to save the file to (where your document will be stored), type a name, and then click “Save.” choose “Save.”
Step-4:
Print the index cards using the printer. Go to the “File” menu, then click “Print.”
Step-5:
Select “Manual Print on Both Sides” instead of “Print One Sided”, then click “Print”.
Step-6:
You’ll see a notification on the computer screen when the paper needs to be rotated. When the printer stops printing, remove the index cards from the output tray and place them in the input tray to print the second side.
Step-7:
Click “Continue.” after rotating the paper.
Most Popular Use Of Index Cards
Index cards, the lowly but essential. So basic, so inexpensive – but so useful.
An index card is one of the most common and widely used tools in a professional’s toolkit. They’re easy to keep on hand at all times, cheap, and can be marked up, scribbled on, or cut up by anyone.
Index cards can be used for a wide variety of purposes. Due to my limited time and typing abilities, I decided to keep this list to 10 really creative ways to use index cards.
You will find some traditional productivity tips here, as well as some that are a little more unusual – and you may be able to make some use of that pile of index cards you keep stashed away in the back of your supply cabinet.
Capture Ideas Anywhere
You can capture ideas on index cards anywhere, at any time. A simple card is always handy: small enough to fit into your pocket, tucked into the pocket of your Moleskine, or right next to every phone and PC at home and at work, or wherever inspiration strikes. You can write down whatever you need whenever you need to, and they fit easily in your hand. The cost of a pack of 100 is around a dollar, so you have no excuse not to keep a few on hand.
Move Big Rocks
The great thing about index cards is that they are so portable. The small size of these notebooks and their always-with-you portability make them ideal for writing down the most important tasks for the day and referring to them.
A MIT is one of your three or four big tasks that you need to accomplish today, the most important things to accomplish.
The idea is to write down a few things each day that when done will make your day look productive. Many people do this first thing in the morning, others last thing the night before (or at the end of their working days).
Dry Erase Board
Getting a dry-erase board in your pocket is as easy as covering an index card with packing tape. If you are working, keep a notebook nearby so that you can jot down ideas as they come to you.
Once you have completed the project, you can transfer these documents to your project files, task list, or wherever else is needed.
Build A Habit
Do you wish to quit smoking or workout at the gym every day to achieve a goal? Check out Tony Steward’s habit-building hack. The list of Tony’s goals is written on index cards.
Tony writes things like “In the next 30 days, I’ll …”. Each day is checked off as he meets his goals on the back of the calendar.
An effective way to stay motivated is by relating to others who are overcoming challenges that come naturally to them – or eliminating habits that come too naturally to them.
Find Yourself
GPS technology has advanced dramatically in recent years allowing the system to work with just one index card using a standard laser or inkjet printer.
This is incredible, I know! To find out where you are at all times, just print the image to the right, and keep the card at arm’s length.
Most GPS’s only estimated your exact location between 30 and 40 meters (the system is usually very accurate within a meter). The best part is that it’s absolutely free.
Bounce A Flash
Here’s another photography tip in our series. Index cards make an interesting flash bounce and diffuser combo for SLR cameras with pop-up flashes. Slide the card at a 45-degree angle on your flash’s support after cutting a couple slits.
As the flash is reflected off the white card, the light softens and won’t be harsh against your subjects – and there will be few sharp shadows either.
Due to the card’s partial transparency, a little light will pass through the card and spread evenly across the frame.
It is perfect for selfies and snapshots at nighttime parties, as you won’t have that “for-head” effect, when you see the shadows cast by your dark-haired friends’ heads on the wall behind them.
Team Up With Your Moleskine
Instructables created a hack that combines index cards with Moleskine pocket notebooks for a convenient and gorgeous combination. Put two holes about 2 inches apart at the top of your Moleskine’s front cover, using a hold punch.
On the short edge of a stack of index cards, punch matching holes. Bind the index cards and Moleskine cover together using 1/2′′ binder rings.
So, in the sturdier and more-suited-to-long-writing notebook, you have a set of “hot-swappable” index cards, and you can print out reference cards or keep a to-do list there.
Additionally, they can be flipped around the front of the Moleskine to create a cute clipboard-like effect.
The Ultimate Bookmark
If you use index cards to bookmark books, you can jot down notes as you read, so they are always with you. You can drop the index card into a file box when you finish reading a book, and it will serve as an ongoing reading record.
I do book reviews for Publishers Weekly as part of my regular writing gig, so I’m always carefully reading things that need to be remembered well.
To track passages, I want to return to, I tape a short stack of sticky notes to the back of the index cards. If I use both sides of the index card before I finish the book, I paperclip a second one in front of the first one.
One Card To Rule Them All
In addition to my growing collection of club cards, I purchased a pair of shoes yesterday.
It is interesting to see the club cards that I rarely use in my car in the binder that I keep in the center console. But what about all the cards I do frequently use?
In addition to the grocery stores nearby, a gas station, a library and a book store I frequent all accept club cards. That would certainly make my wallet more compact if I could get rid of five cards!
A similar thought came to the designer of Just One Club Card, so he/she/they created a solution. If you input the barcode information on the back of your cards, the web app will generate a single page with the barcode information on each neatly arranged.
From the dropdown menu, select the store for which your card is intended. Alternately, if your store isn’t included, you can test different barcode encodings until the barcode looks like yours.
Printed barcodes can have up to four lines each, and index cards can be cut and pasted for extra durability. Additionally, it is a great tool for frequent flyer cards!
A Paper Wiki?
Niklas Luhmann created a ten-meter stack of index cards that made use of his own system of notation to cross-reference, thematically index, and hypertext-like index cards.
He numbers his cards in sequence according to his ideas. He starts with card 71/1, the first card in the 71st idea. He would need another card if he needed one, so it would be 71/2.
In contrast, if he decides, as he writes card 71/2, that an idea or concept in the card needs to be examined further, with this “sub-node”, he can create further sub-nodes, such as 71/2a2, 71/2a3, and so on. You can also create new sub-nodes, such as 71/2c4a.
As cards are linked to others through annotating them with references numbers, they can form a vast, wiki-like entity of interconnected, and more importantly, interconnected ideas.
Printers For Index Card Printing
An index card contains all the information you need, including receipts, coupons, etc. It also contains contact information, shopping lists, and organizational information. As well as workplaces and schools, index cards are widely used as presentation notes and more. In addition to a good printer, index cards are attractive because of their size and shape. To print an impressive index card, it is crucial to choose the right tools and printers.
1. Canon TS9521C All-In-One Wireless Printer
With its name stating it clearly, the Canon TS9521 is a printer with an all-in-one design that is ideal for those who enjoy doing crafts and arts.
In addition to excellent photos & graphics, this printer has five ink tanks. Besides offering 12 x 12 scrapbook paper, the printer offers printable patterns, customizable templates, and innovative new features for crafting crafts, documents, and cards.
A variety of tasks and heavy workloads can be handled by the gadget. Color and graphics are produced with tremendous detail by the inkjet printer technology. The cassette tray can hold up to 200 sheets.
The machine also has a 4.3″ touchscreen display that allows you to configure tasks and maintain the machine.
2. Canon Pixma iX6820 Wireless Business Printer
Business printers from Canon like the Canon PIXMA iX6820 are ideal for printing business cards. All its essential features are present in this balanced printer.
A high color accuracy is guaranteed thanks to the inkjet technology. As for text quality, it is quite good as well. As a result, I believe that it would make a great index card printer.
3. HP OfficeJet Pro 8025 All-in-One Wireless Printer
The next model comes from the renowned technology giant HP. It is an excellent business printer with attractive features. With the 8025 you can print, scan, copy, and fax, as well as have access to a variety of other features.
Thanks to the inkjet technology, it produces photo-quality photos and graphics as well as excellent textures. In addition to an Instant Ink package, HP also offers a printer that will help you save a lot on printing costs.
4. Epson WorkForce WF-7710 Color Inkjet Printer
Epson offers another excellent choice here. WorkForce WF-7710 is one of the series. All-in-one inkjet printers are versatile, printing, copying, and scanning your documents with ease. There is a tray on the front that holds 250 sheets.
According to the manufacturer, the machine can process 20,000 pages every month. This makes it an excellent choice for your business needs.
5. Canon Pixma Pro-100 Professional Inkjet Printer
With a reputation and review for high-quality color and graphics printing, the Canon PIXMA Pro-100 has outstanding reviews. Canon’s budget printer can still produce gallery quality pictures despite being one of the budget line printers.
This printer can handle up to 19″ x 13″ paper. Graphic designers, businesspeople, and photographers will appreciate its overall printing quality. Index cards and printouts will be of excellent quality.
What Is The Weight Of Index Cards?
It is not always easy to understand paperweights. Let us assure you, we know. To help you understand the different terms that you may hear associated with a paperweight, Paperworks.com has created this handy cheat sheet.
There is no weight associated with term paperweights; rather, they describe the thickness and strength of the paper rather than its weight.
Currently, each page shows a paperweight meter, so that you can choose the appropriate weight. It is for this reason that a given quantity of paper is sometimes described as having different weights.
Ordinary copy paper, for instance, is usually referred to as a “20 lb. bond” but can sometimes be called a “50 lb. text weight.”
Because GSM is a measurable universal paper measure, we chose it as our conversion reference point to avoid any confusion. A sheet weighs what is referred to as GSM, or grams per square meter.
How Many Index Cards Fit On A Piece Of Paper?
In addition to storing and organizing useful information about a given subject, index cards can also be used to take notes. The most common sizes of these cards are 3-by-5 inches and 5-by-7 inches on 110-weight paper.
Although these copies are made of this heavier paper, a letter-sized copy made of lighter 20-weight paper is also available at a lower cost.
The size of the card is crucial here; two 5-by-7 index cards cannot be cut on an 8-by-11-inch sheet of paper. When you make cards 3×5, you get four per sheet.
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