An electronic alternative to hand calligraphy only requires: 1) a personal computer; 2) a printer; 3) any word processing program (WordPerfect, Microsoft Works, etc.); 4) a little patience. For those interested in utilizing this technological option, please find below a step-by-step guide. As you will discover, the final results are esthetically superb.
Step I
Open a new document on your word processing program of choice. You will next begin creating a template for all your certificates.
Step II
On the certificate, there are six groups of text to be printed in Old English type font with: 1) name of initiate (in size 22 point font, centered, and directly below “hace constar por el presente título que”); 2) type of membership: “Socia Activa,” “Socio Activo,” “Socia Honoraria” or “Socio Honorario” (size 18 point font and directly between “es de hoy en adelante” and “del”); 3) chapter name: Capítulo X (size 18 point font, centered, and directly below “es de hoy en adelante —- del”); 4) day (size 18 point font and directly between “el día” and “del mes de”); 5) month (size 18 point font and directly before “del año de” on last line); 6) year (size 18 point font and directly after “del año de” on last line). For Macintosh users, the font sizes may vary slightly from these PC-based numbers.
Step III
After typing the six groups of text in positions that appear to match those on the actual certificates, print a copy on a blank sheet of paper (do not use heavy-bond paper since it is less translucent than normal photocopy type).
Step IV
Place your printed copy–the template–on top of a blank certificate. You will see where your printed text actually aligns with the certificate.
Step V
Since your template will likely not match the certificate on the first printing, you will need to make appropriate space modifications to your word processing document. This usually requires printing several different copies until a correct template is achieved.
Step VI
When your template aligns acceptably with the certificate, you can then print the actual certificate on your printer. Be sure to introduce only one certificate at a time since each printed will require, at the very least, changing the name of the initiate.
Once you have achieved the final template, your work for successive induction ceremonies is minimal since the only changes to the document will be the content of the six groups of text, not their positions.
NB: To prevent damage during the initiation ceremony, place each printed certificate inside an envelope with a firm back (cardboard, a manila folder, etc.).
Les deseamos una bella ceremonia de iniciación.
Spanías Didagéi Proágomen.
Mark P. Del Mastro
Director Ejecutivo, Sigma Delta Pi