Although I have used Microsoft Publisher in the past, I'm not a frequent user of the software. So, to test out the ease of use of the new Publisher 2010, I started creating a greeting card minutes after installing the program. If I hadn't been stopping to take screenshots or gotten carried away with template customization, the whole process would have taken just 15 minutes or so from start to print.
The biggest problem, which isn't really the fault of the software, is the huge number of templates and the many ways you can customize those templates even before you really get started. Staring at a blank page can be daunting. Sifting through dozens (or hundreds) of templates can be overwhelming too. Even though I narrowed my focus to the Birthday Greeting Card templates, after choosing a particular template I got sucked into what could have been an endless cycle of changing color schemes, fonts, and layouts. On the plus side, changing colors, fonts, and layout is super simple. On the minus side, it's so simple that you may find yourself wanting to try out every conceivable combination (thousands) so that a simple 15-minute card turns into an all day marathon. And I didn't even mess with creating my own custom schemes -- I'd still be playing if that were the case. But, maybe that's just me. Unless you have lots of time to play or you have the self-discipline to pick a single template and run with it, it's a good idea to have a clear idea going in what look or style you're aiming for in your project.
With this greeting card project I didn't delve deeply into all the new features in Publisher 2010. My aim was simply to jump in feet first and see if I could create a decent enough greeting card with a touch of personalization without really knowing the software very well. And I did. Follow along in the Microsoft Publisher 2010 - First Look as I pick a template, make a few changes, discover a few quirks with the program, and print out a simple template-based birthday card without hitting the help files or fully exploring how to use the software. I do plan to dig a little deeper in the next few weeks.
I have started to use Publisher 2010, and have found no end of combinations to use for Greeting Cards, Formal Letters, Flyers, even quite good Web Pages, but best of all Newsletters fantastic.
I have also found that most small commercial printing outfits can quite easily produce copies on quality paper for minimal costs, Ideal for the organisations I belong to, and charity group information circulation list.
Please – if you are sending your designs to a professional printer for production, use a professional software to create. Microsoft programs do not do the job and many printers refuse them and almost everyone else charges extra as the prepress with word or publisher is a nightmare. If you want to be a graphic designer, spring for the Adobe software.
I can only partially agree with Pat. I don’t think there are a lot of people out there who call themselves professional graphic designers who use Publisher for client work. They do tend to use Adobe software, QuarkXPress, etc.
However, there are print services out there that cater to the Publisher/Word using crowd and know how to work with those files. Non-designers who use software that is less expensive and easier-to-use (for them) and who still want more than desktop printing can provide shouldn’t be told they can’t do so just because they can’t afford to buy and learn Adobe et al. Publisher can do the job for some of them.
Tried to use Publisher 2010, to make business cards. Only problem I’ve had is that they will not align properly on the sheets. However, I do not have the same problem with labels, etc. . Very few, if any, user manuals out there like in the past. HELP !