- As of 2006, there were about 32,000 desktop publishers with about 35 percent working for newspaper, magazine, book and directory publishers. Another 25 percent are working in a variety of other print publishing enterprises including brochures, calendars, packaging and forms. While no education is required and some learn on the job, most desktop publishers gain knowledge and experience through online classes and learning centers. An associate's degree or bachelor's degree in graphic arts, communications or design is preferred. Inexperienced job seekers with a certificate or degree in desktop publishing or graphic design can find employment, but most employers prefer workers with previous experience.
- Desktop publishers who work for a commercial publishing company work in an office producing documents or graphics that adhere to a strict publishing standard. Using specialized graphic software, desktop publishers make use of combinations of text, pictures, graphics, art and other data to produce attractive and readable documents, usually ready for print or Internet posting. Self-employed desktop publishers make use of high-resolution printers and send finalized products to the client via mail or electronically via the Internet.
- Desktop publishers encounter work that requires designing and creating graphics, and digitizing photos and illustrations, often accompanied by text. Through the manipulation of formatting, font size and style, column width and spacing, as well as creating and importing images and graphics, a desktop publisher can produce a document to suit just about any taste or circumstance and submit it to the client as an electronic file. Expectations are high to create attractive well thought-out page layouts that fit a stylized formula, as well as develop unique perspectives with presentations and advertising promotions.
- Since complete print publications requiring text and artwork can be created to appear in print just as they do on the computer screen, and personal computers allow desktop publishers to produce work quickly, economically and efficiently, many commercial companies are hiring desktop publishers in increasing numbers to work in-house as a means to gain greater control of marketing and promotional products. Much of the work desktop publishers are producing is created with two objectives in mind. The first is to produce a print-ready document, the second is to convert the document into an Internet-friendly HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) file to use on the company's website.
- Desktop publishing is an all-encompassing field with limitless possibilities, but as a general rule, desktop publishers work a standard week with some working evenings, weekends and holidays, depending on deadlines outlined by the client or employee's firm. Earnings vary upon level of expertise, artistry, employer's location and company size. The middle 50 percent make about $26,000 to $44,000 a year.
