So - you want to personalize wrappers but don't know how, less alone own a graphic program to do it eh?

Or, you've purchased a candy wrapper (hopefully from me!) and it's printing out HUGE but for the life of you, you can't figure out WHY!  Afterall, you clicked on the template, printed it out and expected it curl right around that candy bar perfectly, yes?  But instead. you see your paper covered with ink, only part of that birthdy cake on the wrapper (the part that has no candles) and just about this time you are probably beating yourself up for buying that wrapper template and saying that you'll never do it again!  Was I close?  I thought so....

That IS why you are here, isn't it?

I thought so!

I wrote this tutorial for beginners, just like you.  If you are happy with the way your templates are printing and can add text to them, continue doing whatever it is you are doing.  You are now dismissed.  The rest of you can go grab something to drink and get comfy in front of your monitor - and make sure you are in the learning mode!  This tutorial is very basic and the only thing it's gonna teach you is how to add text to a wrapper and how to print it so it WILL come out sized correctly.  Not only that, I'm going to show you where to go download a FREE (yes, free!) graphic program that is simple to use.  I've tested it out and it's great for beginners but at the same time, has enough goodies on it for you to play around with!  Ready to get started?  Great - let's do this!

For this tutorial, we will be using Free Serif Software, PhotoPlus SE.  Click on the link to go over and download it.

Heads Up about the software.  They require you to register so they can send you the registration key number to unlock the program.  From what I've read, there is no spyware or adware in this program. I suggest you use a web-based email address for this purpose. Gmail has a great free email account that I use but you might already have a favorite one to use.  It took my key number less than an hour to show up in my inbox - just be patient 'til you get yours - trust me, it's worth it!

Once you've downloaded it and gone through the registration process, you will be ready to start.  Oh, before I forget, make sure you have a wrapper template handy also!  If you don't have one, here's one for ya!

Ok - let's really get started now.  Double click on the PhotoPlus SE icon to open it.

Looking at the image below, you should be seeing this.  Click on image for a larger view so you can read the steps easier!

When you are finished with steps 1 and 2, you should be seeing this next...

You are now ready for steps 3, 4 and 5.  Click on image for larger view so you can read the steps easier!

That didn't take you no time!  You're fast!

You are now ready to learn how to add text.  There is a lot of read and do so take your time.  If you mess up, that's ok - just do it over!  The instructions are numbered from 1 - 5.  Start with 1 - end up at 5 please (no jumping around with the numbers!) and you won't get confused.  Make sure you click on the image so you can read the instructions better.

How are we doing?  Good!  I had faith in you!  Ok - it's time to print!  One word of caution for those that likes to play around with settings (you know who you are!) but yet, don't understand what those settings are for (ha ha) - whatever you do, do NOT change the resolution.  If you do, it will either make your wrapper come out too BIG or too SMALL.  If you just follow the instructions, you will have no problem.  I printed up a lot of wrappers using this program and they all turned out great.  Now, if only I could make MY wrapper curl around my candy bar without having to cut first... *smiles*

Wasn't that easy?

This concludes this tutorial.  I would love to hear feedback from you please. :)

And if you need some candy wrapper templates...check out my designs!

cutewraps AT sc DOT rr DOT com