Definition: Of all the types of software, page layout software is the key component of a desktop publishing system. The primary purpose of page layout software is to make it easy to combine text and graphics to create layouts for brochures, ads, newsletters, greeting cards, books, and similiar publications. Differences between high-end page layout software and many low-end or consumer products include the level of typographical control and graphics capabilities, as well as the ability to generate digital files suitable for commercial printing processes, including PostScript and PDF.
Although used in desktop publishing, Photoshop, Illustrator, and similiar software are classified as graphics software not page layout software.
Also Known As: desktop publishing software
Examples: "The best known professional page layout software programs are: Adobe InDesign, Adobe PageMaker, Adobe FrameMaker, QuarkXPress, and Corel Ventura. Mid-level page layout programs include Microsoft Publisher and Serif PagePlus. Consumer DTP software such as The Print Shop, Print Artist, and Printmaster are generally not used to develop documents for commerical printing."
