How to Create a Pattern Cover in Microsoft Publisher

By Filonia LeChat

Microsoft Publisher, a desktop publishing and layout software program from the Microsoft Office Suite Professional version, gives you a new job title: publication manager. From templates within the program, users can create anything from newsletters to greeting cards to instruction manuals. To capture the attention of your target reader audience, start off on the right foot, or the right page. Dress up the cover of the publication with a pattern and create an eye-grabbing document with just a couple of clicks.

Step 1

Open Microsoft Publisher. Click one of the template buttons, such as "Newsletters" or "Programs" on the "Available Templates" screen.

Step 2

Double-click a template and within a few moments it opens in the Publisher workspace. The first page/cover of the document appears in the main Publisher screen.

Step 3

Click the "Page Design" tab at the top of the screen. Click the "Background" button on the right side of the ribbon/toolbar below the tab. Select "More Backgrounds" to open the "Fill Effects" window.

Step 4

Click the "Pattern" tab on the window. Scroll through the different patterns such as hatch or checkerboard. Click a pattern.

Step 5

Pull down the drop-down menus for both the "Foreground" and "Background," selecting a color for each. Choose contrasting colors such as red and blue for the most effect or shades such as navy and teal for a lighter, more blended look. The patterns change with the selected colors.

Step 6

Click the "OK" button and the pattern is applied to the document's cover.

Step 7

Click the "File" tab at the top of the screen. Select "Save As," type a new name for the publication to preserve the original and save the file to the computer.

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