HowTos Index
How To Do Your Own Photo Printing
You've got a picture. You want a print. Open it in your software and just hit the print button, right? Maybe. But if you want the photo to look good, need it in a certain size, only want part of the picture, or need to have it printed on a printing press, then there's more you'll need to know and do for photo printing.
How To Choose Fonts For Headlines
Headlines and other short phrases or blocks of text are often set in display type sizes of 18 points and larger. While readability is still important, there is more leeway for using fun or decorative typefaces in headlines. Beyond what the headline says, it needs contrast — of size or font choice or color — to make it stand out.
How To Choose Body Text Fonts
The bulk of what we read is body copy. It's the novels, magazine articles, newspaper stories, contracts, and Web pages we read day after day. Body type or body text fonts are the typeface used for body copy. Body copy requires legible, easy to read body text fonts.
How To Create a PDF File in Acrobat Distiller
A simple how-to on turning a PostScript file into a PDF file using Acrobat Distiller.
How To Insert Page Numbers in Master Pages in QuarkXPress
QuarkXPress will automatically number pages in the style you designate when the proper page numbering code is placed on the Master Pages of your document.
How To Insert Page Numbers on Master Pages in Adobe InDesign
InDesign will automatically number pages in the style you designate when the proper page numbering code is placed on the Master Pages of your document.
How To Write a Contract for a Desktop Publishing or Graphic Design Business
Learn how to write a contract specific to desktop publishing or graphic design freelance businesses. Discover what clauses are particularly important and how to write a contract that protects the intellectual property rights of a designer and helps insure payment for their services.
How To Start a Desktop Publishing or Graphic Design Business
Learn step by step how to start a desktop publishing or graphic design business. While some sources might have you believe that all it takes to start a desktop publishing business is to have some software, a color printer, and some fancy paper, the truth is that a desktop publishing or graphic design business requires the same attention to detail of any small business venture. You can start small and build up but the basics are the same.
How To and Why To Crop Photos for Page Layout
It is seldom that you'll find a photograph that is ready to use in your page layout without some sort of editing. One basic way to modify images is to crop them -- remove some part of the image. Cropping changes the appearance of photographs and clip art in order to better fit the layout, make a statement, or improve the overall appearance of the subject matter.
How To Use Pictures of People
Pictures of people may be used to illustrate a concept or to identify and recognize specific persons such as employees, award-winners, and newsmakers. Whether utilizing pictures of real people or artwork that represents types of people, there are certain guidelines that will enhance the use of people pictures in Web and print work.
How To Create Your Own Inline, Diagonal Fractions
Although you could use an expert character set or math font that contains a wide variety of fractions, you can also create built-up fractions in graphics or page layout software. While the specific commands may differ from one program to the next, follow these general instructions to create your own typographically correct inline or diagonal fractions.
How To Learn to Use Desktop Publishing Software
Desktop publishing software doesn't work in the same way as word processing software. It's different from graphics software. From setting up a basic document to complicated arrangements of text and graphics, learn how to use desktop publishing software by following this step-by-step plan.
How To Use Bold Type Effectively
One way to grab attention in a sea of words is to set some text in bold fonts. It is heavier, darker than regular type. Bold fonts are used for emphasis to make certain words and phrases stand out from surrounding text.
How To Create a Workable Page Layout
A good page layout is about more than just choosing pretty colors, applying the principles of graphic design, or creating visually stunning pieces. A workable page layout is one that delivers the intended message to its primary audience. A workable page layout focuses on the practical aspects of the document such as method of distribution, visibility, and handling.
How To Make a Greeting Card
A greeting card you make yourself can be more meaningful to the recipient and just as attractive as any store-bought greeting card if you follow these basic steps and apply these desktop publishing and design principles. Here are 10 steps to make your own greeting card in any software.
How To Keep InDesign Transparency in PDF Files
How to make sure your transparency effects in Adobe InDesign come out correctly in the PDF format.
How To Do Desktop Publishing and Desktop Printing
Assuming you have the appropriate desktop publishing software, chosen for the type of projects and printing you plan to do, and understand the basics of using desktop publishing software, here are the key steps to creating an attractive layout in most types of page layout software and printing it from your desktop printer.
How To Choose an Ideal Line Length For Text
Lines of type that are too long or too short slow down reading and comprehension. Type size, margins, gutters, and number of columns help determine line length in your publication. Increase readability by following a few guidelines and trying out some formulas for determining the ideal line length for your text.
How To Proofread Text and Layout
A simple how-to on how to proofread and doublecheck text and page layout items for a desktop publishing document describes what to check and gives proofreading tips.
How To Fine-tune Text Wraps
Objects such as clip art, photos, or pull-quotes placed inside columns of text can add visual interest and excitement to a publication. Attention to detail and a few simple guidelines can improve the appearance of text wraps and improve readability of adjacent text.
How To Specify Spot Varnish in a Digital File
Spot varnishing is a special effect that puts varnish only on specific areas of a printed piece. Use spot varnish to make a photograph pop off the page, highlight drop caps, or to create texture and subtle, colorless images on the page. In page layout programs, spot varnish is specified as an overprinting spot color.
How To Scan Black and White Line Art
Black & White or 1-bit mode scans are smaller files that look more like the original image. The right resolution and manipulating the image while scanning instead of after reduces rough edges or jaggies of scanned black & white line art.
How To Use Pull-quotes
Used to attract attention, especially in long articles, a pull-quote is a small selection of text "pulled out and quoted" in a larger typeface. A pull-quote may be framed by rules, placed within the article, span multiple columns, or be placed in an empty column near the article. Pull-quotes provide a teaser that entices the reader into the story.
How To Create Perfectly Proportioned Page Margins
Some rules of thumb governing page margins can help the designer break away from the defaults while still providing all the functions required of margins. Use these steps to create perfectly proportioned page margins then tweak them as needed.
How To Use Photo Captions Creatively
Photo captions get read. When your publications contain photos or illustrations they may need additional explanation in the form of captions to describe or identify the contents. Learn how to use photo captions more effectively.