Printing Political Postcards

Printing Political Postcards by Joseph F. McLaughlin

This folder contains instructions for printing 4×6 in postcards using Libre Office Writer. It focuses on printing cards for legislators, but may be used for any similar purpose.

REQUIREMENTS/ CAVEATS

• This uses LibreOffice (LO) Writer, a free app similar to Microsoft Office Word, available at https://www.libreoffice.org/download/download-libreoffice/ (MS Word can very likely do the same thing, perhaps even better or more easily)
• The files must be saved to the LO Writer extension .odt (LO can save files in MS formats, a big advantage to this excellent free app, but only .odt works with the method below).
• Your printer must be capable of printing 4″x6″ index cards.
• Good index cards may be difficult to find; the card stock commonly available is often too flimsy. Staples Lined Ruled Index Cards- Assorted Pastels #ST51000, available either in the store or on Amazon, worked well. Print on the plain side.
• POSTCARD POSTAGE, AT 61 CENTS, GETS EXPENSIVE QUICKLY, particularly if you send each postcard to your federal senators and congressional representative. Legislators know this, of course, so perhaps they see this as proof of your concern for the issue.
• As with any app, there is a learning curve. Similarly there are a lot of little shortcuts and tricks that make writing the cards easier. Along with numerous YouTube vids, these sites are helpful:
  • https://help.libreoffice.org/latest/en-US/text/swriter/main0000.html
  • https://www.libreofficehelp.com/libreoffice-writer-tutorial/
  • https://duckduckgo.com/?q=libreoffice+writer+keyboard+shortcuts&atb=v257-1&ia=cheatsheet

Are hand-written cards more effective in swaying legislators? Perhaps so, although given my scratchy writing, I’m doing a favor for the poor staffers who would have to decipher it. Also, I frequently go into detail about the issue- handwriting simply wouldn’t work for me. A compromise: print the return and mailing addresses but handwrite the message. I suspect, though, that it is composing, buying stamps, and posting the card that really count.

HOW TO CREATE THE POSTCARDS

2 related files are provided:

• sample card representative
• sample card senator

Youtube videos:

• Copy-Paste_Cells.mp4: shows how to change the message inside the cell then copy it over to another postcard (no sound).
• Resize-Move-Cells.mp4: messages in cells vary in length, so this vid shows how to resize the cells. (no sound)