How to Create Class Name Shirtsby Scott Fresener

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Years ago there was a program called List Master that did one simple thing. You would type a list of names into a word processing file and List Master would put the names inside a word or number.

You can do the same thing in Corel Draw and almost as easily. Corel Draw allows you to fill an ?object? with text. Here are the steps for creating class name shirts.

1. Open Corel Draw (almost any version). Create the word or class year. The word or number should be a bold typeface to allow plenty of room for words inside. The example uses a typeface called Machine. You could use Impact, Collegiate or other similar faces. Make sure the object has no fill.
2. Since we can only fill an ?object? (and not a typeface) we will need to convert the word or numbers to curves (Arrange/Convert to Curves). Figure 1.
3. Although you could type the names directly into the word, it is easier to use your favorite word processing program. Type in the names you want, leaving an extra space between them. You could also put a dash or dot between the names. Just type the names end-to-end and let them go to the next line automatically as you type (do not use a ?carriage return?). Use a plain typeface with a point size of 12 to 14. Figure 2.
   You need to copy these names into the object in Corel Draw. The easiest way is to select all the names and ?Copy? them to Clipboard (Control C).
4. In Corel Draw, select the Text Tool (?A?) and bring it over to the top of the object. When the type tool is on the edge of the object you will add the text around the object. If you bring the type tool just inside the object you will see a small square box (Corel 9.0) appear below the cursor. When this box appears, stop and click. Figure 3. For earlier versions of Corel you need to hold down the Shift key to get the square box to appear.
   Next, Paste the names into the object (Control V or Edit/Paste). The names will now flow inside the object. If you have two numbers they will flow across the numbers.
5. The names will come in left justified. To force them to fill the object, first, select the Type tool and click and drag with the cursor over all the names (just like in word processing). Next, select the ?Horizontal Alignment? button from the middle of the ?Standard Menu.? Select Force Full (figure 4).
6. You can remove the outline and let the edge of the words give the object a hard edge (figure 5). You can also fill the object with a color or even make the word or number solid black and the class names white (figure 6).