Document Setup Phase of Desktop Publishing

How a desktop published document is created

This is where the desktop publishing really begins. It's time to open the page layout program and begin setting up the basic framework of the document. Some of the sub-tasks involved in the document setup phase will overlap with other stages of the desktop publishing process. Although presented step-by-step, desktop publishing is not an entirely linear progression. You'll find yourself going back and forth many times between tasks and between each phase.

Do the following desktop publishing tasks, as required, during document setup. Where available you'll find corresponding tutorials, exercises, or resources for further study. Items identified with * have not been set up in lesson or tutorial format yet but do include informational resources.

1. Template selection
   How to Use Templates Effectively
   How to Personalize Templates
   

2. Page size and margins setup
   * Paper Sizes and Measuring Paper
   Using Margins
   Setting Up the Page in InDesign
   Setting Margins, Columns, and Grids in InDesign

3. Columns or grid setup
   * Grids
   Guides

4. Master pages setup
   Master Pages in InDesign
   Default Software Settings
   Guides

5. Color palette customization
   * Process Color
   * Spot Color
   The Color Palette in InDesign

6. Paragraph styles setup
   Using Style Sheets
   Document Defaults
   Paragraph Spacing

Once the document setup is complete, it's time to bring in the text and whip it into shape.

Next Phase > Text

_{The Desktop Document > Document Setup Phase}