How to Create Poster Calendars for Printing

By Louise Balle

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If you prefer a calendar that is custom-designed to match your personality, you can make one on your own using Microsoft Office templates. These templates allow you to create unique poster calendars that you can print for each month of the year. You can add photos, custom messages, and even type in your own special dates to the calendar if you want.

Step 1

Open Microsoft Word and click the "Office" menu icon (located in the top left corner--it looks like four colorful squares). Click "New" to create a new document.

Step 2

Scroll down the listing of templates and select "Calendars."

Step 3

Try to find a calendar that is sized taller than the standard 8.5 by 11 inch Word document. If there are none available, select an 8.5 by 11 calendar that has a portrait orientation (longest sides are vertical). Choose a template that has a photo on top and the calendar data on the bottom.

Step 4

Delete the photo in the template and replace it with your own picture or design. A TIF file is better for printing images, but a JPEG will also work.

Step 5

Type in a message or caption in the designated text box, if the template provides one. Click inside of each square date box to type in information about special dates (optional).

Step 6

Right-click the boxes that make up the calendar (if there are any) and select "Format Autoshape." Change the color of the box to your liking. Repeat steps four through six for all months of the year.

Step 7

Save the file. Go to "Print" on the Word main menu and select "Properties" next to the printer of your choice.

Step 8

Adjust the size of the document if larger than 8.5 by 11 inches (standard) and change the print quality to "Best" or the similar option. Select poster or glossy card stock paper as the paper type. Set the document to print in full color.

Step 9

Load your glossy cardboard stock paper (glossy on one side, matte on the other) into your printer. Click "OK" on the printer dialog box to print your poster calendar file (one month at a time or the entire year's worth of posters).

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