As a Brand and Visual Identity Designer, I often encounter situations where clients request me to provide a few non-conventional brand stationery deliverables, such as a letterhead template in Microsoft Word. From the Client’s perspective, this is the most logical and must-have tool that you can include in the Branding and Visual Identity Package, adding additional value to your project.
Jpeg or Tiff as a Letterhead Template in Word
If you are unfamiliar with Jpeg or Tiff Letterhead inside Microsoft Word Template File or unsure how it makes sense for the Client as a part of design deliverables, don’t worry—I am here to explain. Completing this task is very simple and can be done in a few clicks if you have already designed and exported the letterhead in Jpeg, PNG, or Tiff format and have Microsoft Word installed on your computer.
What formats does Microsoft Word support?
If you are unfamiliar with Jpeg or Tiff Letterhead inside Microsoft Word Template File or unsure how it makes sense for the Client as a part of design deliverables, don’t worry—I am here to explain. Completing this task is very simple and can be done in a few clicks if you have already designed and exported the letterhead in Jpeg, PNG, or Tiff format and have Microsoft Word installed on your computer.
What is a DOTX file?
If you look up the word “template” in any popular dictionary, you’ll find that it refers to something used repeatedly for certain recurring tasks, saving time and energy that would be otherwise wasted creating it from scratch. Bear with me, in Microsoft Word, the file format *.dotx is the template format, meaning if you create a document and save it as a template, you can create as many documents as you want based on the original *.dotx template file. This technique is particularly helpful while working with letterhead and invoices, making it logical to include a letterhead template for Microsoft Word in the Branding and Visual Identity Package for your Client.
How to save a letterhead template in Microsoft Word?
Let’s jump into the how-to’s of the process of saving a letterhead design as a template to be used as a Microsoft Word document.
Page Setup in Microsoft Word.
After creating a blank document in Microsoft Word, the first thing you want to do is set up the page according to the paper size of the letterhead that you have already designed in Adobe Illustrator or Adobe InDesign. For page setup, go to the “Layout” tab on the top ribbon, then in the Page Setup group, click on the dropdown that says “Size.” From the list that appears below, select the page size preset of your choice. If you want to adjust the margins for the document, repeat the same with the “Margins” dropdown.
Watermark for a Word Document.
Let me show you how to add the high-resolution Jpeg, Png, or Tiff of your letterhead design, which you have already exported and is ready to be used in the template, as a watermark inside the Word document we just created.
Go to the “Design” tab on the top ribbon, then find the “Page Background” group on the right side. Click on the “Watermark” dropdown and select “Custom Watermark.” A new dialogue box will appear; select the “Picture Watermark” radio button, then click on the “Select Picture” button. In the next window, navigate to the location, select the letterhead image, and then click the “Insert” button. Before applying this image to the document, make sure to set the scale to 100% and uncheck the “Washout” checkbox, then click “Ok.”
How to save a DOTX file?
Now that you have successfully performed the page setup of the document and applied the letterhead as a watermark background, it’s time to save this document as a Microsoft Word Template *.dotx. You can make as many adjustments as you like before saving the template file.
When you are satisfied with the design and layout of the document, go to “File,” then click “Save As,” and finally, click “Browse.” A dialogue box will appear; select “Word Template” as the save as type. Now navigate to the location where you want to save this template file, give it a proper name, then click the “Save” button. If you have followed the steps correctly, you should be able to see the template file saved. Now close the opened document. Double-click to open a new document based on the template file you just created.
In conclusion, providing a letterhead template in Microsoft Word as part of a Branding and Visual Identity Package is a valuable asset for Clients. With a few simple steps, designers or teams can create a reusable template to enhance the Client’s professional image and streamline communication efforts. By understanding how to set up the page, apply watermarks, and save the template, you can confidently deliver a practical and efficient solution to your Clients. Elevate your design projects by including a letterhead template and make a lasting impact on your Clients’ Brand Identity.