When documents and images are printed, they are "published." Before computers became commonplace, the publishing process required large print presses that copied and duplicated pages. In order to print images and words on the same page, the text and graphics would have to printed separately, cut out, placed on a single sheet, taped in place, then copied and printed. Fortunately, computers with graphical user interfaces have enabled desktop publishing, which allows this process to be done electronically. Any time you use a computer to create a printable document, it can be considered desktop publishing. However, the term is most commonly used to refer to professional computerbased publishing. Desktop publishers use programs like Adobe InDesign and QuarkXpress to create page layouts for documents they want to print. These desktop publishing programs can be used to create books, magazines, newspapers, flyers, pamphlets, and many other kinds of printed documents. Publishers may also use programs like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to create printable images. Even word processing programs like Microsoft Word can be used for basic desktop publishing purposes. Complete desktop publishing involves the combination of typesetting (choosing fonts and the text layout), graphic design, page layout (how it all fits on the page), and printing the document. However, as mentioned before, desktop publishing can also be as simple as typing and printing a school paper. In order to desktop publish, all you need is a computer, monitor, printer, and software that can create a printable document. While that might cost more than a pen and paper, it certainly is cheaper than a printing press! Desktop publishing is the use of the computer and specialized software to create documents for desktop or commercial printing. Desktop publishing refers to the process of using the computer to produce documents such as newsletters, brochures, books, and other publications that were once created manually using a variety of non-computer techniques along with large complex phototypesetting machines. Today desktop publishing software does it all - almost. But before PageMaker and other desktop publishing software there were e-scales, paste-up, and other non-desktop computer ways of putting together a design for printing. Properly speaking, desktop publishing is the technical assembly of digital files in the proper format for printing. In practical use, much of the "graphic design" process is also accomplished using desktop publishing and graphics software and is sometimes included in the definition of desktop publishing.
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What is Desktop publishing - It is the process of using the computer and specific types of software to combine text and graphics to produce documents such as newsletters, brochures, books, etc. What is Graphic design - It is the process and art of combining text and graphics and communicating an effective message in the design of logos, graphics, brochures, newsletters, posters, signs, and any other type of visual communication. Desktop publishing software is a tool for graphic designers and non-designers to create visual communications for professional or desktop printing. Desktop publishing is the use of the computer and specialized software to create documents for desktop or commercial printing. Desktop publishing refers to the process of using the computer to produce documents such as newsletters, brochures, books, and other publications that were once created manually using a variety of non-computer techniques along with large complex phototypesetting machines. Today desktop publishing software does it all - almost. But before PageMaker and other desktop publishing software there were e-scales, paste-up, and other non-desktop computer ways of putting together a design for printing.
Properly speaking, desktop publishing is the technical assembly of digital files in the proper format for printing. In practical use, much of the "graphic design" process is also accomplished using desktop publishing and graphics software and is sometimes included in the definition of desktop publishing.
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What is Desktop publishing - It is the process of using the computer and specific types of software to combine text and graphics to produce documents such as newsletters, brochures, books, etc. What is Graphic design - It is the process and art of combining text and graphics and communicating an effective message in the design of logos, graphics, brochures, newsletters, posters, signs, and any other type of visual communication. Desktop publishing software is a tool for graphic designers and non-designers to create visual communications for professional or desktop printing. Desktop publishing and graphic design can make documents look better, prettier. But it's about more than just appearance. Desktop publishing, used properly, enhances visual communication and streamlines the process of disseminating information of all kinds. Desktop publishing is important as a tool that can enhance communication by making it possible to
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quickly and efficiently produce printed and electronic documents. Desktop publishing software allows the user to rearrange text and graphics on screen, change typefaces as easily as changing shoes, and resize graphics on the fly, before finally committing a design to paper. There are drawbacks to desktop publishing in that it also makes it easier and less expensive to produce really bad designs. So, while desktop publishing is important, education in basic principles of graphic design and desktop publishing techniques is equally important.
The mechanics of desktop publishing after the design stage involves using software tools to set up the document, place text and graphics, and prepare digital files that will print properly using desktop or commercial printing processes. There is no quick, pat answer and probably the better question is, "how do you learn to do desktop
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publishing?" You learn by reading, studying, and doing. This entire site is devoted to providing the tutorials and other resources needed to learn how to do desktop publishing. Use these five starting points in your quest to learn how to do desktop publishing.
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How a Desktop Publishing Document Is Created
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Before worrying about what software to buy and how to use it, learn what is involved in the process of desktop publishing. There are many processes and procedures in desktop publishing but the basic creation of a document using desktop publishing techniques involves 6 areas: design, setup, text, images, file preparation, printing. Software Needed for Desktop Publishing
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You'll need several different programs to do most types of desktop publishing, with a page layout application being the minimum desktop publishing software requirement. Using Page Layout Software While learning the mechanics of desktop publishing you may also need to learn how to use your desktop publishing software at the same time. These tutorials cover basic to advanced techniques in many of the major page layout applications.
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Graphic Design Tutorials and Procedures
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Desktop publishing involves the technical application of the principles of graphic design. Explore everything about using desktop publishing skills from the basics of page composition and design to specific elements such as white space and grids, plus overall desktop publishing and graphic design tutorials and guidelines. Page Layout Tutorials Beyond the technical operation of the software, good design needs the right colors, exciting layout ideas,
and tried and true elements such as balance, contrast, and white space. Grids tie the elements of a design together and provide a framework for the page layout. Speedy Desktop Publishing There is another speedy option when you need to jump in, get it done, and make it look good without knowing all the ins and outs of desktop publishing. Simply Follow the Rules of Desktop Publishing.
Assuming you have the appropriate desktop publishing software, chosen for the type of projects and printing you plan to do, and understand the basics of using desktop publishing software, here are the key steps to creating an attractive layout in most types of page layout software and printing it from your desktop printer. Difficulty: Average Time Required: From 30 minutes to several hours depending on complexity of the desktop publishing project
Here's How:
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Have a Plan, Make a Sketch.
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Before even opening the software it is wise to have an idea where you are going with your design. Even the roughest of sketches can be useful. You could skip this step but I recommend trying a few sketches first. Choose a Template.
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If your chosen software has templates for the type of project you plan to do - take a look at those templates to see if they will work as-is or with a little tweaking for your project. Set Up Your Document.
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If using a template, you may need to tweak some of the template settings. If starting from scratch, set the size and orientation of your document. Set the margins. If you'll be doing text in columns, set up text columns. Place Text in Your Document.
If your document is mostly text, place it in your layout by importing it from a file, copying it from another program, or typing it directly in your program (not the best choice if it is a substantial amount of text). 5.
Format Your Text.
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Align your text. Apply the desired typeface, style, size, and spacing to your text. You may end up making some changes later, but go ahead and select the fonts you believe you want to use. Apply embellishments such as plain or fancy drop caps. Place Graphics in Your Document.
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If your document is mostly graphics-based, you may want to place the images before adding bits of text. Import your graphics from a file, copy them from another program, or create them directly in your page layout software (simple boxes, rules, etc.). Tweak Your Graphics Placement.
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Move your graphics around so that they line up the way you want them. Set up your graphics so that text wraps around them. Crop or resize graphics if necessary (best done in your graphics software but for desktop printing it can be acceptable to crop and resize in the desktop publishing software). Apply the Rules of Desktop Publishing.
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Once you have your initial layout, improve and fine-tune. Simply applying these tried and true methods of arranging a page and doing desktop publishing will result in more attractive pages even without formal graphic design training. In brief: drop typewritten conventions such as two spaces after periods and double hard returns between paragraphs; use fewer fonts, less clip art; leave white space in the layout; avoid most centered and justified text. Print a Draft and Proofread It. You can proofread on screen but it's always a good idea to print out your project. Proof your printout not only for colors (colors on screen don't always print as expected) typographical errors and placement of elements but if it is to be folded or trimmed, make sure it folds properly and that trim marks print correctly.
10. Print Your Project. Once you're happy with your layout and your proofs are printing properly, print your creation on your desktop printer.
Tips:
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Although the above steps work for most types of desktop publishing projects, when the document is
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destined for commerical printing there are additional file preparation and printing and finishing considerations. These basic steps work for any type of desktop publishing software. To learn the specifics of working with the software of your choice - document setup, typographic controls, image manipulation, and printing - see the tutorials for your desktop publishing software.
What You Need: • • • • •
Desktop Publishing Software Fonts Graphics Desktop Printer Paper