How to Print 3X5 Flash Cards

Printing 3-inch by 5-inch index cards can be tricky; the size is so small that some printers don't recognize them. Even if your printer can print to 3x5 cards, you may have to adjust the position of the index card to make the text appear in the right place. If not, there are several other options, including using a printer-sized sheet of perforated index cards or printing labels, which you can then stick on index cards.

Printing Directly to Index Cards

Open a word processing document and type the text you want on your index card.

Print a test sheet on regular 8.5-inch by 11-inch paper. Note where the text appears on the page and how the index card should be oriented.

Place your index card in the printer and try printing. If this does not work, continue to Step 4.

Print to an 8.5-inch by 11-inch sheet of perforated index cards. (Check the package to see what document template you should use.) After printing, tear the cards apart to create index cards.

Printing to Labels

Open a word processor document template for 2-inch by 4-inch shipping labels. (In Microsoft Word, go to "Tools->Labels and Mailings->Envelopes and Labels," click on the label under the "Labels" tab, and change the label size to "Avery Standard, 5163 - Shipping.") Alternatively, use the template linked in "References" to create labels.

Print a test sheet to see how the labels should be oriented in your printer (e.g. label-side up or down), then print the labels.

Stick the labels onto 3-inch by 5-inch index cards to create flash cards.