Desktop publishing: what is it and how to use it?

Presenting ideas can be easy on the spot. You will only have to draw it and give your presentation. However, at a distance, you will need to have all your information well organized and presented so your reader doesn’t get confused. With that comes the introduction to desktop publishing.

Desktop publishing is the process of using specialized software on a computer to create visualizations that represent information. These visual displays come in documents that can be used for commercial or desktop printing, or even distributed electronically. Examples of such documents are PDFs, web pages, eBooks, email newsletters, and slideshows. These documents can be created using desktop publishing software. What the software basically does is assemble and convert digital files into a format that is suitable for print or electronic displays.

Often confused with graphic design, both have certain graphic design elements such as placing text, graphics, logos, and signage as a form of visual communication. However, graphic design simply does that, while desktop publishing uses it as part of the process of producing a document. For non-graphic design experts, desktop publishing software eliminates the need to have the skills or experience to create visual communications, as the software is easy to navigate to create them.

An important tool for improving communication, desktop publishing allows us to produce printed and electronic documents quickly and efficiently. With easy navigation, users can rearrange text and graphics, resize graphics and fonts, change fonts and their appearance, and preview how they look on paper. However, with such simplicity, the disadvantages of this are that it makes us lazy to properly understand the techniques and principles of making good designs. Therefore, we can end up with poorly made designs, which means that our visual communication would also be poor. Therefore, it is good to have some knowledge at hand to get the most out of the software.

Who uses desktop publishing varies. Since the software is easy to use, people who work as freelancers or in-house graphic designers tend to use it for their design projects. Aside from that, secretaries and administrative assistants can use the software to design documents for their bosses. On the other hand, teachers and students can use them for presentations by creating slideshows. Even small business owners can use document publishing software to promote their business to their customers and clients. You can even use it for personal uses like making greeting cards or other projects. As you can see, the software is very easy to use; anyone can use it at all.

Simply put, desktop publishing is an easy way to produce documents for print or electronic display. However, to optimize its use, some graphic design knowledge will come in handy. Hopefully, this introduction to desktop publishing will give you an idea of ​​how you can use the software.