Label Planet
Our transparent labels are a popular choice for customers who want to make their own window stickers.
A common problem that arises for these customers is the issue of printing labels that will be stuck on the inside of a window, but are designed to be read from the outside. In other words, they need the text or images to be printed in reverse – or “mirrored” – so that they look right from the outside.
So here’s a short guide to printing mirrored text and images in Microsoft Word.
Please note that to create mirrored text in Word, you will need to insert your text using WordArt or a text box.
WORD 2007 AND EARLIER
For the 2007 and earlier versions of Word, you can create mirrored images and text by using the Flip tool.
- Select your image, shape, or text box by left clicking on the item once.
- Select the “Format” tab at the top of the page.
- In the “Arrange” group, click on “Rotate” and then “Flip Vertical”.
WORD 2010
For the 2010 version of Word, you can create mirrored images and text by using the 3D-Rotation tool.
- Select your image, shape, or text box by left clicking on the item once.
- Select the “Format” tab at the top of the page.
- IMAGES: In the “Picture Styles” group, click on “Picture Effects” then “3D-Rotation” then “3D-Rotation Options”.
- SHAPES/TEXT BOXES: In the “Shape Styles” group, click on “Shape Effects” then “3D-Rotation” then “3D-Rotation Options”.
Amend the value of “X” to 180°.
Note for text boxes: the text box may now display a background colour. To remove this simply click on the “Shape Fill” option in the “Shape Styles” group and select “No Fill”.
Customers who are using a graphics package to edit a PDF file should find that these programs have similar functions to allow them to create mirrored images and/or text.
It is also worth noting that some printers actually have this function built in to their software, so it may well be worth checking your printer’s properties first. This can be done by selecting “Printer Properties” or “Printer Settings” on your print preview screen and looking for a check box listed as “Mirror Image”. If you check this box, your printer should print your document in reverse, though you may wish to try printing on a blank sheet of paper to test this function before you print onto your labels.
All of our templates are available to download from our website on our Templates Page.