Most of the time I try to be diplomatic and non-judgmental about the software choices that some folks make. Hey, I got my start using The Print Shop for DOS and I even wrote an article on how to make do with Microsoft Word. But the bottomline is, Microsoft Word is a word processor, not a page layout program. And the heart of desktop publishing is page layout software — programs like Adobe PageMaker, QuarkXPress, Adobe InDesign, Serif PagePlus, and yes, even Microsoft Publisher.

At The Den of Iniquity » Please Do Not Feed The Designer. one designer makes it quite clear what she thinks about Word files (with flattering links back to a couple of my articles, thanks!).

Do not expect me as a graphic artist to be happy when you give me a Microsoft Word file. Be prepared for me to give you dirty looks when you hand me a disk and I ask, “What kind of file is it?” and you say in a cheerful voice, “Oh, it’s a WOOOOOOORRRRRRD file!” Count yourself lucky that I don’t reach across the counter and smack you and call you stupid.

Her reaction is not an uncommon one. We're not trying to be mean or condescending (although some folks may come across that way). Really, we're trying to help you when we suggest that you need to get a real desktop publishing program if you want to go beyond inkjet printing at your desk.

And let's be clear about it, you can use most any old program when you don't have to share files with other people. Use Word. Use PowerPoint. Use Windows Paint. Heck, use a Mac (that's a joke folks), It's OK. But when you need to take your files to a commercial printing service or even a quick copy shop you'll save yourself much grief (and often time and money) by using page layout (aka real desktop publishing) software and industry-accepted digital file formats.

For further reading:
• Do Desktop Publishing with Microsoft Word
• Don't Do Desktop Publishing with Microsoft Word
• What's the Best Software for Desktop Publishing?
• Word Processing vs. Desktop Publishing

Related About GuideSites:
• Graphic Design with Guide Judy Litt
• Word Processing with Guide James Marshall