Index cards are a versatile tool for organizing information and studying. Their small size makes them easy to carry around and convenient to work with. While you can buy pre-printed index cards, sometimes you may want to create your own custom cards.
Google Docs offers some options for printing directly onto index cards from your computer. Here are a few methods you can try.
Add the Index Card Add-On
One easy way to print index cards through Google Docs is by using the Index Card add-on.
To add this:
- Go to Add-ons > Get add-ons
- Search for “Index Card”
- Click on the add-on and then click Free to install it
Once installed, you’ll see the add-on appear whenever you open a Docs document.
To use it:
- Compose your text in the Docs file as usual
- Highlight the text you want on each card
- Go to Add-ons > Index Card > Make Flashcards
- Choose either 3×5 or 4×6 index card size
- Click Create Cards
This will instantly format your text into individual index card pages that are ready to print.
Set Up Page Format
You can also set up a Google Doc to the dimensions of an index card without needing an add-on.
To do this:
- Create a new Docs file
- Go to File > Page setup
- Change the page size to Landscape
- Set margins to 0.5 inches on left and right
- Click OK
Next, you’ll create a table to format each card:
- Insert a 2×2 table
- In Table properties:
- Set border to 4.5
- Column width to 5
- Minimum row height to 3
- Cell padding to 0.1
Now you can type your text into the table cells, with each cell becoming its own index card.
To print, go to File > Print and set page scaling to “Actual size” before clicking print.
Use the Built-In Index Card Template (Word)
If you use Microsoft Word rather than Google Docs, there is also a built-in index card template you can access.
To find it:
- Open a new Word document
- Go to the Design tab
- Click on Page Size > More Paper Sizes
- Choose either Index Card 3×5 or Post Card 4×6
From there, you can add text boxes into your template and customize it further before printing onto actual index cards.
Tips for Printing Index Cards
Here are some additional tips:
- Always do a test print first onto plain paper to ensure the formatting is correct before printing directly onto your final index card stock.
- If lines are cut off, adjust your page margins or table cell padding accordingly.
- For best results, use index cards designed specifically for inkjet or laser printing. The texture and thickness make a difference.
- After printing, let cards fully dry before stacking or using them to prevent ink smearing.
- Print one-sided or print only a few cards at a time if your printer has trouble pulling thicker card stock through.
So whether you want to make vocabulary flashcards, study notes, or recipe cards, Google Docs provides a few good options for DIY custom index card printing right from your computer.
With some simple formatting tricks and the right card stock, you can create stylish cards tailored to your specific needs.
