your uCardit

Choosing a template

either –

Use Quick start

1. Click on any ‘quick start’ button or ‘design your uCardit’ at the top of the page.
2. Choose your own combination of side orientation and image types.
3. Click on ‘continue’ to enter the uCardit Builder application.
4. Enter your own text and upload images as you wish.

or -

Use an example template
(Please note: if you don't want a particular text heading - just delete it, or replace with one you do want).

1. View the example uCardits shown in ‘Travel’, ‘Medical’, or ‘Children‘ (accessed from the home page)
2. Identify whichever one contains the most appropriate combination of text and images for your own needs.
3. Click on ‘select template’ to enter the uCardit Builder application.
4. Enter your own text and upload images as you wish.

Hidden templates

Some charities or other organisations may not wish their templates to be visible on the site. These ‘hidden templates’ can only be viewed by persons who have been provided with an appropriate 'Template Code'. This code should be typed into the 'Template Code' box on the home page.

Password protected

Some charities or other organisations may be happy for their templates to be visible on the site, but require the customer to provide a password to use the template. If this is the case you will be prompted to provide the password before access to the uCardit Builder application is allowed.

These passwords will need to be obtained from the particular charity or organisation.

Images

Image types available  

(Note: Care should be taking when selecting a background that it does not reduce the legibility of any text.  Changing the colour of any text, using bold text, or increasing font size may be necessary).  

There is also the option to apply a black border to Flag and Headshot image types - click in the 'Apply Border to Image' box before selecting the required image. 

Image upload

.JPG and .GIF images with a maximum file size of 750 kb can be uploaded.  Uploading high quality images will produce a better print.  (The completed uCardit will be printed at 300dpi).

1. Select 'Upload new image' from the Image Library menu.
2. Give your image a name
3. Browse to the approprate file on your computer
4. Click on 'Upload image'

A gallery of your uploaded images will then be shown with options to either delete the image or to crop it to a background, halfcard, headshot or flag format for adding to your uCardit. 

To view this gallery at any time, make sure you are logged in and select 'View/crop uploaded image' from the Image Library. 

You can return to your uploaded image at any time to make multiple crops from your original file. 

Important: 

      Images will only be saved if you have registered and logged on to the site before uploading them.  

1. Select 'View/crop uploaded image' from the Image Library menu.
2. Select the image to be cropped and click 'Crop Image' (clicking on the image has the same effect). The image opens in a new window. 
3. Select the image type required from the drop down menu.
   • (Background portrait, Half card portrait - for use on 'portrait' orientated sides)
   • (Background landscape, Half card landscape - for use on 'landscape' orientated sides)
   • (Flags, Headshots - for use on any sides with a designated area for the image)
     
4. Resize and position the frame showing in the centre of the image so that it covers the area required. 
5. Click on ‘Crop Image’ 
6. Give your image a name/description
7. Select either:
   • Try Again' - to reject the image and try again
   • 'Save and Close' - to accept the image and return to the uCardit Builder
   • 'Save and Crop Again' - to accept the image and repeat the process
   • 'Close' - to reject the image and return to the uCardit Builder

Important: 

      Any images to be used for Halfcard or Backgrounds should be slightly larger than actually required to allow for bleed. 
      Some of the Background image will be obscured by the uCardit branding strips. 

 

         Examples

Halfcard

Background

 

Text

Add text to your uCardit by typing or pasting into the white area (on the right under the text formatting menu). Clicking in this area will apply text changes to the preview image on the left.
Note: if any changes have not been applied, try clicking on the ‘Preview’ button to refresh the image.

Formatting

Formatting of the text is similar to that found in most general word processing applications. Select the text and click on the appropriate button in the menu.

Issues

Incorrect wrapping

Only text shown within the white area will appear on the final uCardit. Generally text will ‘wrap’ so that it is confined to the width of the white area. 

However, if a line of text is input (without any spaces) that is wider than the text area, it will be unable to wrap and the preview will show the text continuing off the side of the uCardit. Either introduce a space or break into the line to correct this.

Too much text

If the preview shows that text is extending beyond the bottom of the uCardit, then you must reduce either the amount of text, or the font size used.

Translator

AltaVista Babel Fish Translation provides basic text translation.  Text can be cut and pasted directly from the translator tool into the uCardit Builder.

Important - We are currently only able to print the following languages onto uCardits.  Text from any other languages will be lost upon saving your uCardit.  (We are looking to add further languages in due course).

Dutch	English	French	German
Italian	Portuguese	Spanish

Saving your design

You must be registered with uCardit.co.uk and logged in to save your uCardit.  Two buttons are provided for saving your designs, 'Save As' and 'Save'. First save (of unnamed uCardit)

1. Click on either 'Save As' or 'Save'
2. Name your design

You will then be taken to the 'saved uCardits' page.  To continue editing click on ''edit uCardit' to return to the uCardit Builder.

Subsequent saves (with same name)

• Click on 'Save'

Reprinting uCardits

• In the 'saved uCardits' page, select the design you want to reprint and click 'add to basket'
  

Use of previous designs

Base a new design on a previously named uCardit 

1. In the 'saved uCardits' page, select the previous design you want to use and click 'edit uCardit'
2. In the uCardit Builder, click on 'Save As'
3. Name your design

You will then be taken to the 'saved uCardits' page.  Select the newly named design and click on ''edit uCardit' to return to the uCardit Builder..

Deleting designs

• In the 'saved uCardits' page, select the design you want to delete and click 'remove uCardit'