How to Choose Desktop Publishing Software

Desktop publishing (DTP) programs are used to integrate text and images into documents worthy of professional printing. Typically, DTP programs have more sophisticated spacing, color, hyphenation and typography options, among others, than word-processing programs. Choose either QuarkXPress or Adobe PageMaker if you know how to use them and need a full-featured professional program. Save hundreds of dollars by buying an amateur program if your needs are more basic.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe Photoshop
• Microsoft Publisher
• PageMaker 6.5 (Mac OS)
• PageMaker 6.5 (Windows)
• QuarkXPress (Mac)
• QuarkXPress (Windows)
• Desktop-publishing Programs

General Considerations

1. Determine your needs and how you propose to use the DTP programs. Don't buy a complicated program if you won't take advantage of it.

2. Check reviews in computer magazines and on the Internet to narrow your choices.

3. Download demo versions from manufacturers' Web sites to try specific programs.

4. Consider using an advanced word-processing program for basic needs.

5. Base your choice of software on your output device. If you will not be outputting to a PostScript printer or sending a file to a service bureau, get an amateur program.

6. Consider popular programs such as Microsoft Publisher, My Advanced Brochures, Press Writer, Broderbund Print Shop and Sierra Print Artist.

Considerations for Basic Programs

1. Look for a variety of templates for business documents such as brochures, business cards, certificates, envelopes, labels, letterhead, menus, newsletters and résumés.

2. Look for a variety of templates for home-use projects such as banners, calendars, greeting cards, posters, reports and stationery.

3. Compare the quantity and quality of included fonts, graphics, stock photos and clip art.

4. Compare word-processing features, such as a spell checker and thesaurus.

Considerations for Professional Programs

1. Take a class before attempting to use professional programs such as QuarkXPress, FrameMaker, Adobe PageMaker or Corel Ventura.

2. Find out which program your service bureau prefers, if you will be working with a service bureau.

3. Choose PageMaker for relative ease-of-use and integration with other Adobe products.

4. Choose QuarkXPress for long documents, typesetting, and sophisticated trapping and color separations.

5. Choose FrameMaker for book-integration features.

Tips & Warnings

• A "service bureau" outputs printer-ready work onto the film used in offset printing.

• Basic programs are often bundled with major-brand ink-jet printers.

• Basic, unsophisticated programs are easier to use and faster than full-featured, professional programs. They also require less hard disk space and RAM.

• Expect to spend at least $500.

• Adobe offers a suite containing PageMaker and Photoshop that is discounted as low as $1,000.

• You might be able to get the program you use at work free from your employer. Many employers buy multimachine licenses for programs and are happy to have employees work at home.

• Make sure your computer meets the system requirements of any program you download or buy.