Printables FAQ

Thank you for your Dashleigh printable purchase!

What do I need to get started?

After you purchase your printables, you will l receive an email with download instructions.  After downloading the files, you may need to unzip them.

We recommend using our Microsoft Word template.  We have included the design in the background of the word document as a watermark.  You can edit the text and numbers of any of our free and paid party printables.  This works on a Mac or PC.

You can use the included background JPG image in any Adobe software, such as Photoshop or Illustrator. 

On each product page, we include a few free custom font recommendations.  These typically come from Google fonts, and are easy to download.  Once downloaded- you can add the file to your computers Font's folder.  (For more detailed instructions for downloading Google fonts, click here.)

How Do I Unzip My Files?

Windows:  When selecting the download button from the Dashleigh email, your download will show up in a folder you selected or your specific browser's downloads folder.

Select the file that you downloaded, and right click to select "extract files".  Once extracted, you can now have access to the file inside the folder.

Mac:

  1. Double click the zipped file.
  2. The file will automatically be decompressed by Archive Utility into the same folder the compressed file is in.
  3. Access the extracted files by clicking the appropriate icons.

Where should I print these files?

A. Home: The great thing about editing them at home, is you can print them directly with your inkjet or laser printers. 

B. Online Printers:  For invitations, you can use an online printer like zazzle.com, or uprinting.  They will often offer envelopes.

C. Digital Invitations: You can upload them to a service like evite or paperless post to send invitations via email.

D. Local Printers: If you are looking to save some ink at home, you can send your completed files to Kinkos, Office Depot, or Staples to print professionally.

 

Choose the printable you want to customize and open the file.  Each Microsoft Word file will include the embedded fonts and colors.  If your version of Microsoft word does not support this, we have included instructions for adding custom fonts and custom colors.

 

Printing Your Invitations

Before you start, you will need to know how you want to print your invitations.  Knowing this, you can choose the correct Microsoft word file.

Printing from Home in Microsoft Word

Start with the file ending in Invitations Cut Out Front.docx file.  This file contains the invitations centered inside of 8.5 x 11 inch sheet of paper. 

Go to page 5 to finish this process.

Printing from Home: Adobe Photoshop /Illustrator

Create a 5x7 file with a .25 in bleed and add the PDF files. 

Go to page 5 to finish this process.

 

Printing on Zazzle

 

Start with the Invitations 5x7 Front.docx. Make your changes to the file to customize.  Once you are finished, you save the file as a PDF and upload.

Go to page 6 to finish this process.

Printing using uPrinting or other online printing services

 

Start with the Invitations 5x7 Front.docx.  Make your changes to the file to customize.  Once you are finished, you save the file as a PDF and upload to your

Go to page 6 to finish this process.

For most versions of Microsoft word, we have embedded the Google fonts and colors and they should appear within the file.  If not, please refer to the Custom Color and Adding a New Font sections to add our recommended settings.

The following instructions may only be necessary if your file does not include the font and custom colors.

Adding a New Font

On the product page for this invitation, you will find our recommendation for a free Google font that would work well with this design.  You can also pick any font you like.

Use the following steps to add a new font from Google to your computer to use in Microsoft Word.

  1. On the Google font page, click the "Select this font" link.
  1. On the new font pop up that shows in the bottom right corner, select the Download button.
  2. The file will show in your designated downloads folder.
  3. Move the file to your Fonts folder.

For Windows:

  • From the 'Start' menu select 'Control Panel.'
  • Then select 'Appearance and Personalization.'
  • Then click on 'Fonts.'
  • Click 'File', and then click 'Install New Font.'
  • If you don't see the File menu, press 'ALT'.
  • Navigate to the folder that contains the fonts you want to install.

For MacOS:

  • Open Finder and click the Go menu at the top of the screen.
  • While in the Go menu, hold down both the Alt/Option and Shift keys on your keyboard to reveal the hidden link to the Library folder.
  • Navigate to your Fonts folder: ...
  • Drag and drop the unzipped font files into this folder.

Adding Custom Colors to Microsoft Word

 

Color

RGB for Microsoft Word

Olive Green

(155, 175, 76)

Mauve Pink

(210, 104, 126)

Blushing Pink

(236, 152, 167)

We love adding our own custom colors to Microsoft Word.  It is incredibly easy if you have the RGB (red, blue, green) numbers.  

On the product page for this design, we give you the RGB, which looks like (123, 124, 125).  

  1. To enter these numbers and creating a new custom color, you will need to select the shape or text that you want to change.
  2. Go to Shape Fill or Text Color. Click “more colors” from the dropdown.
  3. In the new screen, switch to Custom. Add the RGB numbers on the product page in the color model (see image below)
  4. Enter the numbers in order of Red, Blue and then Green.
  5. Click OK. Word will now save this custom color for future use in this file.

 

Printer Settings for Printables

Once you have added your own fonts and custom colors, you are now ready to print.  We have listed a few printer tips to get the most out of this high-quality file.

TIP ONE: PRINT AT 100%

In most cases, if the printing is just slightly off the mark, it is because the print sizing and handling is not set to "Actual size". 

 

TIP TWO: PRINT WITH HIGH QUALITY SETTINGS

In advanced printer settings you can adjust for the different media types you might put through the printer.

When you hit print, find the "paper type" or "media type" box and select premium paper (or experiment with the many media settings for best results).


ASSEMBLING YOUR INVITATIONS AND INSERTS

Printing From Home:

  1. For the full page “Invitations Cut Out Front.docx” file, after customizing the file, you can print the front on the cardstock paper of your choice.
  2. Once printed, open “Invitations Cut Out Back.docx” file. Check your printer settings to determine how to load the paper.

Note: Do not use double-sided printing settings on your home printer, print one side, then flip and print the back side (this is applicable only for templates with back side artwork)

  1. Load the paper to print the back of your invitations
  2. The back file will include cut lines to help you cut a perfect 5x7 invitation.

Printing Using an Online Printer:

  1. Open the “Invitations 5x7 Front.docx” to edit a 5x7 sized document.
  2. Customize the text included in the file.  (Printing this document and physically checking all of the party details is not a bad idea at this stage.)
  3. Choose Save As > .pdf in the dropdown while saving your file. You now have a file you can upload to any online printer.
  4. At a printer like Uprinting.com or Vistaprint.com- choose a 5x7 Invitation.
  5. Upload your new PDF file for the front.
  6. For the back, choose the “Invitations 5x7 Back.docx” file.
  7. Follow the printer’s instructions on choosing your paper type

Printing the Envelope Inserts (optional)

  1. Open the “Envelope Liner (your type of envelope).pdf”
  2. Print as many pages as you have envelopes to insert.
  3. For square flap envelopes, cut out the design on the page. The square will fit perfectly into the envelope.
  4. For pointed flap envelope, you will need cut out the image and turn it 45 degrees to insert the corner into the pointed space of the flap. Cut to size.
  5. Attach to the envelope using glue dots (recommended) or a paper glue.

Banners

  • Cardstock or Printer Paper
  • Tape or Glue
  • Twine or String for Hanging the Banner
  • Scissors

File Name: Banners – (White or Green) Background.docx

Like most of your new printables, you have two choices.  You can open the PDF and print the banners as is.  You can also import these PDFs into your preferred design software (i.e. Adobe Photoshop) and add your own message.

Or you can open the Microsoft Word file and customize using the embedded fonts and colors we have added to the file. 

We would recommend planning your banners ahead of time.  If you want to print the phrase “Baby” we would recommend putting a blank banner on each end.  So that would equal 6 total banners.   2 blank banners, and 4 each with the letters B, A, B, Y printed on them.

Once printed, you can cut around the edge of the design, leaving the tabs (outlined in dashed grey above the banners).

Fold the tabs down along the top edge of the banner and tape or glue to create a loop for your twine or string.

If you want the banners to be perfectly spaced, I would recommend putting a dob of glue inside of the loop to keep the banner fixed on the string.

Beer or Root Beer Labels

File Name: Beer Labels.docx

Not to brag, but we offer some pretty high-quality vinyl beer labels that work perfectly with these beer bottle templates at Dashleigh.com/beer. 

But, there is no reason you can not print and glue or tape these labels to your root beer or beer bottles.

We recommend starting with room temperature beer labels.  The condensation will prevent your labels from sticking. 

To customize, open the Microsoft Word file – add information about the party and which drink you are putting the label over.   Once completed, print the file on label paper or cardstock paper.  Affix to the beer label while at room temperature.

Candy Bar Wraps

File Name:  Candy Bar Wraps.docx

As with a few of the Dashleigh printables, we now offer some custom candy labels that work perfectly with these files.

However, these are by no means the only way to wrap these candy bars.  We recommend starting with the Microsoft Word files to customize for your event.

Start by opening the file name listed above.  You will see predesigned text boxes with filler sample text.  You can start personalizing by clicking on the text box, deleting the text and adding your own.

If the text and colors are not showing like the example, visit the customizing your party printables section on page 5 for instructions in downloading your free Google fonts and creating custom colors.

Print the file once completed on printer paper or labels.  If not using the labels, you can cut out each of the wraps.  Affix the labels to the candy bars with tape.

Favor Tags

  • Cardstock Paper or Printer Paper
  • Scissors
  • String or Twine
  • Hole Punch

File Name: Favor Tags.docx

Open the file name above.  We have pre-typed and designed some text for you.  All you need to do is replace the existing text with your own. 

If the text and colors are not showing like the example, visit the customizing your party printables section on page 5 for instructions in downloading your free Google fonts and creating custom colors.

The text may be grouped together in Microsoft Word, so to undo the grouping:

  1. Select the group you want to ungroup.
  2. Go to the “Format” tab at the top of the page. Go to “Group”, then select “Ungroup”.

After personalizing your files, save and print. 

Signs for Frames

  • Cardstock Paper or Printer Paper
  • Scissors
  • Frames

File Name: Signs for Frames 8_5x11.docx

File Name: Signs for Frames 5x7.docx

File Name: Signs for Frames 4x6.docx

Open the file name above based on the size of your frame.  We have pre-typed and designed some text for you.  All you need to do is replace the existing text with your own. 

If the text and colors are not showing like the example, visit the customizing your party printables section on page 5 for instructions in downloading your free Google fonts and creating custom colors.

The text may be grouped together in Microsoft Word, so to undo the grouping:

  1. Select the group you want to ungroup.
  2. Go to the “Format” tab at the top of the page. Go to “Group”, then select “Ungroup”.

After personalizing your files, save and print. 

Table Tent

  • Cardstock Paper or Printer Paper
  • Scissors
  • Tape or Glue
  • Small Magnets (optional)

File Name: Table Tent - Large.docx

File Name: Table Tent - Small.docx

We have made customizing these small and large table tents an absolute snap! 

Open the file that coordinates with the size of table tent you want.  We have arranged some text on the page to that is designed in the font and colors shown in the example. 

If the text and colors are not showing like the example, visit the customizing your party printables section on page 5 for instructions in downloading your free Google fonts and creating custom colors.

After opening the file, customize the text by clicking on it. 

The text may be grouped together in Microsoft Word, so to undo the grouping:

  1. Select the group you want to ungroup.
  2. Go to the “Format” tab at the top of the page. Go to “Group”, then select “Ungroup”.

After personalizing your files, save and print. 

On the page, you will see instructions for where to cut and where to fold.  After cutting out the table tent- fold inward towards the blank side of the page- to create the tent.  Tape the bottom together to form the base.

If you are hosting outside, I like to tape or glue small magnets as weights inside the bottom of the table tents.

Water Bottle Wraps

File Name: Water Bottle Wraps.docx

Open the file name.  We have pre-typed and designed some text for you.  All you need to do is replace the existing text with your own. 

If the text and colors are not showing like the example, visit the customizing your party printables section on page 5 for instructions in downloading your free Google fonts and creating custom colors.

The text may be grouped together in Microsoft Word, so to undo the grouping:

  1. Select the group you want to ungroup.
  2. Go to the “Format” tab at the top of the page. Go to “Group”, then select “Ungroup”.

After personalizing your files, save and print. 


Wine Bottle Labels

File Name: Wine Bottle Labels.docx

Open the file name above based on the size of your frame.  We have pre-typed and designed some text for you.  All you need to do is replace the existing text with your own. 

If the text and colors are not showing like the example, visit the customizing your party printables section on page 5 for instructions in downloading your free Google fonts and creating custom colors.

The text may be grouped together in Microsoft Word, so to undo the grouping:

  1. Select the group you want to ungroup.
  2. Go to the “Format” tab at the top of the page. Go to “Group”, then select “Ungroup”.

After personalizing your files, save and print.

Games

  • Cardstock Paper
  • Scissors (optional)

File Name: Games Background - 2 per page.docx

File Name: Games Background - Cut Out.docx

Open the file name.  We have pre-typed and designed some a bingo game.  All you need to do is replace the existing text or game with one of your own.

If the text and colors are not showing like the example, visit the customizing your party printables section on page 5 for instructions in downloading your free Google fonts and creating custom colors.

The text may be grouped together in Microsoft Word, so to undo the grouping:

  1. Select the group you want to ungroup.
  2. Go to the “Format” tab at the top of the page. Go to “Group”, then select “Ungroup”.

After personalizing your files, save and print. 

 

Thank you again for purchasing these printables.  We hope this was an effortless customizing experience. 

If you experience any issues or need some troubleshooting, we have a FAQ section at Dashleigh or you can reach out to us at customerservice@dashleigh.com.