Earlier we published about the history of desktop publishing, and in this article we are exploring the advantages of DTP. In today’s competitive business world, word processing by itself is not enough — effective desktop publishing can provide better-looking documents and help your bottom line by impressing customers and producing more sales. Our aim is to summarize the advantages of desktop publishing and present some desktop publishing ideas.
What Is Desktop Publishing?
Desktop publishing (usually abbreviated as DTP) is a process for producing printed content by using specialized software to link desktop computers with desktop and other printers. The quality is designed to equal or exceed typeset printing in books. While desktop publishing can include any office or home network that allows you to produce a printable document, DTP usually refers to professional computer-based publishing from expert providers such as Artwork Abode.
Desktop publishing software makes it easy to vary typefaces and margins while embedding graphs and illustrations — this feature involving images is especially important in an increasingly visual business world. DTP applications allow users to create and alter page layouts such as a book layout or magazine layout. With DTP, text formatting and typesetting can be accomplished with a click of a computer mouse.
Advantages of Desktop Publishing
Here are the primary desktop publishing advantages:
- Increased productivity
- Reduced production costs
- Improved appearance of documents
- Enhanced creativity with an element of fun
- Ability to produce customized documents
- Reduced time to print
Desktop publishing has effectively replaced the need for large printing presses. The ease of importing images from various sources and then resizing images allows desktop publishing software to produce professional-looking documents without graphic design skills.
Improving Appearance with Effective Page Layouts
Page layout is the process of arranging (and rearranging) graphics and text on the page. A workable page layout is a central piece in any desktop publishing project. Ultimately the “test” of a good layout is whether people are reading the content and then taking desired action such as buying your products and services.
A professional touch from experts like Artwork Abode will often be helpful in improving page layout. An effective layout design requires a delicate balance among white space, contrast, balance and colors that grabs the attention of your readers.
Even if you are not producing a book or magazine layout, the principles of effective page layouts are largely the same for flyers, sales brochures and informational booklets. While you might need to engage in some trial-and-error in determining what works and what doesn’t, professional computer-based publishing experts can usually help you to shorten the process.
Customized Documents for Businesses
Most businesses have a long list of documents that they periodically want to customize for a specific audience — here are some examples of desktop publishing ideas to consider:
- Visual aids
- Statements
- Prospectuses
- Press releases
- Menus
- Manuals
- Instructional materials
- Graphs
- Documentation
- Bulletins
- Schedules
- Proposals
- Presentations
- Pamphlets
- Newsletters
- Magazines
- Flyers
- Directories
- Catalogs
- Brochures
- Resumes
- Posters
- Notices
- Name tags
- Maps
- Letterhead stationery
- Greeting cards
- Diplomas and award certificates
- Charts
- Calendars and schedules
After reviewing the above list, pause and reflect as to how each one can significantly improve the ways in which employees, customers, suppliers and investors think about your business. In some cases, the items (such as a newsletter or brochure) might represent the first exposure — if you want to improve the first impression, desktop publishing is a winning strategy for helping you do it quickly and cost-effectively.
Reducing Production Costs with DTP Software
The basic DTP production requirements involve a very short list — computer, printer and software. While basic word processing programs like Microsoft Word and Apple Pages can be used for basic desktop publishing, you should plan on the practical need for more advanced desktop publishing software such as Adobe InDesign, QuarkXpress, Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. If you don’t want to invest in DTP equipment and software (and upgrades), a practical solution for reducing production costs is to outsource your needs for desktop publishing services to DTP experts like Artwork Abode.
Desktop Publishing — WYSIWYG
With desktop publishing, “What You See Is What You Get” (WYSIWYG) refers to the ease of comparing what the final published content will look like by simply looking at your computer screen. However, in a dose of reality, remember that you must still design the layout and “make it work” for your needs. Regardless of what kind of help you need to make your desktop publishing journey a smooth and profitable one, Artwork Abode can help.
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– Artwork Abode
