Printing Bookplates on Adhesive Labels

Yesterday we looked at how to create a simple bookplate, either for your own library or to use as a promotional keepsake that your readers can download and print from your website. Today we're looking at printing on adhesive labels.

Bookplate Setup

You will need a box of labels of a size that will fit the smallest books for which you intend them.

Check the website of the label manufacturer for pre-made Word templates for the specific labels you’ve purchased. (Avery is a brand available in many countries and their website features a range of templates.) Another option is to check Microsoft’s website by connecting through New Document, Templates, Templates on Office Online. Here is an example of a Microsoft pre-designed bookplate template. (Word 2007 users will probably find templates for most labels already available under the File, New... menu.)

Using Tables to Set Up Your Labels

If you’re unable to find a suitable blank template you can construct your own using tables in Word. Some label boxes contain a diagram with the measurements of the label pages, otherwise measure the margins, label width and height, and bleed spaces between labels and write these measurements in the margins.

Set your document's margins to zero and hit Ignore when Word complains.

As an example, if you have four labels to a page (2X2) and a margin all round, create a table consisting of four rows and four columns. Set the first row's height to your top margin measurement, the second and third rows to the height of your labels, and the final row height to the bottom margin measurement. Do the same for the columns. If the labels have ink bleed margins surrounding them each of these spaces requires an additional column or row with the exact measurements.

Once your table is in place, turn off all borders by selecting the table and choosing the No Border option on the Tables Toolbar. Turn on the Show Gridlines option so that you can see your labels.

Some examples of bookplates and bookplate templates:

Designing Bookplate Templates
Bookplate Junkie
Monet Adhesive Bookplates
Homemade Bookplates
Making a Bookplate

Is Word driving you crazy? Then Word 4 Writers is for you. Learn to tame the monster and save your time in front of the screen for writing not fighting. Elsa Neal has been strong-arming Word for 14 years and teaching others to do the same. She is based in Melbourne, Australia.