Designing Signature Blocks

You can create a signature-line graphic to add a line to be signed by the issuer or recipient (or both) of awards, certificates, and diplomas. A signature is composed of a line with text below it. The Print Shop comes with fun famous autographs ready for you to use, or you can design your own signature graphic. Since a signature block often appears on certificates and other official-looking documents, you may want to consider using a seal in your project as well.

To add a signature block, click the Create a Custom Graphic button on the Objects toolbar or choose the Custom Graphics from the Insert menu, then choose Signature from the submenu. The Create a Signature dialog appears.

1.  Type in the text for a message (such as the name of the recipient and any applicable titles or affiliations) in the Text Below Signature box. This message appears beneath the line of the signature block.

2.  For fun, you can add the signature of a famous person by clicking one of the names on the Famous Signatures list. The famous autograph will appear above the line, with the famous person's name below the line.

3.  Specify a font and color for your signature line.

4.  You can move and resize the elements of the signature in the preview area.

As you make changes, they will be shown in the preview area at the top of the dialog. The line in the middle of the preview separates the text version of the signature (appearing below the line) from the person’s actual signature (appearing above the line). The use of a line is the basic element of a signature block.

After you have added a signature block to your project, you can change the appearance of the text beneath the signature line at any time. To change the appearance of a signature block, double-click the signature block in your project or select it and press Return. The Create a Signature dialog appears, enabling you to change all settings.

Refer to one of the following topics for more information:

Custom Graphics

Creating a Logo

Creating an Initial Cap

Creating a Number

Creating a Seal

Creating a Timepiece