Avery 5302 Small Tent Cards User Manual

1. Product Overview

The Avery 5302 Small Tent Cards are designed for creating custom place cards, buffet labels, product descriptions, and other event signage. Each box contains 160 bright white cards, with 4 cards per sheet. Made from premium, heavyweight cardstock (65lb cover, 176 g/m2), these cards are durable and stand up to frequent handling. They feature ultra-fine perforations for clean separation and are pre-scored for easy, crisp folding, ensuring a professional appearance.

Figure 1: The product packaging illustrates several tent cards customized with names and table numbers, featuring a small elephant graphic. It highlights the card dimensions, quantity, and compatibility with inkjet and laser printers.

2. Setup and Design

To begin designing your tent cards, Avery provides free templates and design software. This allows for easy customization and ensures proper alignment during printing.

2.1 Accessing Templates

1. Visit the official Avery website: avery.com/templates.
2. Search for product number 5302 to find the correct templates.
3. Choose your preferred design software (e.g., Avery Design & Print online, Microsoft Word templates).

2.2 Customizing Your Cards

• Select a blank template or a pre-designed layout.
• Input your desired text (names, food items, messages).
• Add images, logos, or graphics as needed.
• Review your design carefully to ensure all elements are correctly positioned and spelled.

Figure 2: This image displays a single sheet of Avery 5302 tent cards, illustrating the micro-perforations that allow for clean separation. A small, folded tent card is shown in the corner as an example of the final product.

3. Printing Instructions

The Avery 5302 tent cards are compatible with both inkjet and laser printers. Proper printer settings are crucial for optimal results.

3.1 Printer Preparation

• Ensure your printer is clean and free of dust or debris.
• Load the tent card sheets into your printer's paper tray according to your printer's instructions for specialty paper. Pay attention to the correct orientation for printing on the desired side.

3.2 Recommended Printer Settings

• Paper Type: Select a setting such as 'Card Stock', 'Heavy Paper', 'Glossy Paper', or 'Photo Paper' for best ink adhesion and print quality. Avoid 'Plain Paper' settings.
• Print Quality: Choose 'Best' or 'High' quality for sharp text and vibrant colors.
• Orientation: Ensure the print orientation (portrait or landscape) matches your design and the template's requirements.
• Scaling: Set scaling to 'Actual Size' or '100%' to prevent distortion or misalignment.
• Test Print: Always perform a test print on a plain sheet of paper first to verify alignment before printing on the actual tent card sheets.

4. Assembly and Use

After printing, the tent cards are easy to assemble and ready for use.

4.1 Separating Cards

• Carefully fold the printed sheet along the micro-perforations to weaken them.
• Gently tear along the perforations to separate individual cards. The ultra-fine perforations are designed for clean breaks.

4.2 Folding Cards

• Each card is pre-scored in the center. Fold the card along this score line to create the tent shape.
• Press firmly along the fold to create a crisp crease, ensuring the card stands upright stably.

4.3 Application Examples

Figure 3: An example of a tent card used as a place card at a dining table, featuring a Thanksgiving theme with a turkey graphic and the name 'Tiffany'. The card is placed on a white plate with an orange napkin and decorative wheat.

Figure 4: This image demonstrates the use of Avery tent cards for labeling food items at a buffet. Cards are placed in front of various dishes at a 'Taco Bar', clearly identifying 'Lime', 'Sour Cream', and 'Guacamole'.

• Place Cards: Assign seating at events, weddings, or parties.
• Buffet Labels: Clearly identify food and beverage options at gatherings.
• Product Tags: Display product names, prices, or descriptions at markets or boutiques.
• Event Signage: Use for directional signs, table numbers, or informational displays.

5. Storage and Care

To maintain the quality of unused tent cards, store them in their original packaging in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and excessive humidity. This prevents warping, discoloration, and damage to the cardstock and perforations.

6. Troubleshooting

6.1 Printing Alignment Issues

• Check Template: Ensure you are using the correct Avery template (5302) and that your design fits within the designated print areas.
• Printer Settings: Verify that your printer settings for paper type, quality, and scaling are correctly configured as described in Section 3.2.
• Printer Feed: Some printers may feed specialty paper differently. Try feeding one sheet at a time if experiencing consistent misalignment.
• Text Orientation: If printing on both sides, especially with text that needs to be right-side up when folded, you may need to adjust text orientation within your design software. Some software may require creative workarounds for 180-degree rotation.

6.2 Cards Not Separating Cleanly

• Pre-fold: Before tearing, gently fold the entire sheet along all perforation lines to help weaken them.
• Slow and Steady: Separate cards slowly and deliberately to avoid tearing the cardstock unevenly.

7. Specifications

8. Support

For additional assistance with design, templates, or product information, please visit the official Avery website:

• Avery Design & Print: avery.com/templates
• General Support: Refer to the contact information available on the Avery website for customer service inquiries.