Printing Problems

How to Create and Print Rack Cards in Microsoft Office 2021

Elise Williams Sep 25, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to know if Microsoft Office 2021 supports designing and printing custom rack cards, including how to configure templates and printing options.

How to Create and Print Rack Cards in Microsoft Office 2021

Product: Microsoft Office 2021
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Designing promotional rack cards on custom card-stock and printing them accurately using Microsoft Word.
Observed behavior: The user needs to configure custom document dimensions, utilize proper design layouts, and apply specific printer settings to accommodate heavy card-stock media.

Before you start

Verify that your printer hardware supports heavy card-stock paper and custom media sizes, and ensure you know the exact dimensions of your blank rack cards.

Solution 1Recommended

Set Up Custom Layouts and Print Rack Cards in Word

Configure Microsoft Word's layout tools and printer properties to manually design and print custom rack cards.

While Microsoft Word is primarily a word processor, its robust layout capabilities make it perfectly suitable for designing rack cards. By customizing your page size and leveraging text boxes and shapes, you can create a professional design without specialized software.

Set custom page dimensions

Open Microsoft Word 2021 and create a blank document. Navigate to the 'Layout' tab on the ribbon, click 'Size', and choose 'More Paper Sizes' at the bottom. Enter the specific width and height of your rack card (commonly 4 x 9 inches).

Minimize document margins

Still under the 'Layout' tab, click 'Margins' and select 'Custom Margins'. Reduce all margins (top, bottom, left, right) to 0.25 inches or less to maximize the printable area for your design.

Design your rack card layout

Switch to the 'Insert' tab to build your design. Use 'Text Box' for flexible text placement, 'Pictures' for your logos or graphics, and 'Shapes' for visual accents. Arrange elements so important information stays safely within the margins.

Adjust printer properties for card stock

Press Ctrl + P to access the Print menu. Click 'Printer Properties' directly under your selected printer. Navigate to the paper type or media settings and select 'Card Stock', 'Heavy Paper', or a similar option so the printer feeds the thicker paper correctly, then click 'Print'.

Set Up Custom Layouts and Print Rack Cards in Word

Use Built-in Templates: To save time, go to File > New and search for 'Rack Card' or 'Labels'. Word provides pre-made templates that can be easily customized to fit standard card-stock dimensions.

Professional Document Layout

Design and Print Custom Rack Cards Easily with WPS Writer

WPS Office provides powerful page layout and formatting tools, allowing you to easily set custom dimensions and design stunning rack cards with text boxes, images, and shapes.

1. Open a Blank Document: Launch WPS Office and open a new blank document in WPS Writer.
2. Configure Page Size: Go to the 'Page Layout' tab, click 'Size', select 'More Paper Sizes', and enter your rack card dimensions.
3. Add Graphics and Text: Use the 'Insert' tab to easily drag and drop text boxes, insert promotional images, and draw custom shapes.
4. Print to Card Stock: Click the 'Print' button, access your printer's preferences to select a heavy paper type, and start printing.

Completely free word processing and layout softwareSeamlessly compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formatsRich library of built-in templates for marketing materialsIntuitive printing controls for custom paper sizes and card-stock

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the standard size for a rack card?

The most widely used standard size for a rack card is 4 inches wide by 9 inches high (10.16 cm x 22.86 cm). This size fits perfectly into standard promotional display racks and standard #10 envelopes.

Can I print multiple rack cards on a single sheet of paper in Word?

Yes. Instead of changing the page size to 4x9, leave your document at standard Letter size (8.5x11 inches). Change the orientation to Landscape, set up two columns under the 'Layout' tab, and design a rack card in each column. You can then print and trim the sheet down the middle.

Why is my printer cutting off the edges of my rack card design?

Most standard desktop printers have a physical, unprintable border (usually about 0.25 inches). If your background color or image goes all the way to the edge, it will be cut off unless your printer supports and is set to 'Borderless Printing' in the Printer Properties menu.

Document & File Issues