Mirrored Text and Images

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 a text box (Word 2010 onwards only) or WordArt.

WORD 2007 AND EARLIER

For the 2007 and earlier versions of Word, you will need to use the Flip tool.

– Select your image, shape, or WordArt 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 AND LATER

For the 2010 and later versions of Word, you will need to use the 3D-Rotation tool.

– Select your image, shape, WordArt, 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/WORDART/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°.

– NB: text boxes may now display a background colour. To remove this, 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.

TIPS:

Some printers have this function built in, so it may well be worth checking your printer’s properties first. Select “Printer Properties” or “Printer Settings” on your print preview screen, and look for a “Mirror Image” option or check box. You may wish to test this function on blank paper first, to make sure the result is correct.

These functions may not work properly if you use a template that has been created in a different version of Word to the version you are using to edit the file. For example, if you try to use a 2003 file in Word 2010, the 3D-Rotation tool is unlikely to work properly. For Word 2003 and earlier the file extension should be .doc and for Word 2007 and later the file extension should be .docx. You can check the file extension by right clicking on a document file and selecting “Properties”. The extension will be listed as “Type of file”.

If you are unsure what your design will look like when printed, always try a test print onto a blank sheet of paper before using your labels.