QuickTips Index
Color Tips
These aren't hard-and-fast rules or formulas but they are tried-and-true guidelines that hold true most of the time.
Make a Statement with Oversized Gift Tags
Try one of these free PDF templates of oversized Christmas gift tags.
Identifying Yourself in Your Graphic Design Portfolio
Answers to questions about your resume and photo in your design portfolio and putting a label on the outside of the portfolio.
Spec Work vs. Pro Bono
What's the difference between working on spec and doing pro bono work? They're both free work.
Speed Up Approval on Proofs
Proofing shouldn't be skipped, but it doesn't need to take forever
Lower Print Quality Requirements
Sometimes 'good enough' really is
"Bookmark"eting Idea
Bookmarks are an easy project with many uses. In The Desktop Publisher's Idea Book, Chuck Green suggests creating a bookmark/gift card for businesses that deal in books or anyone giving one as a gift. This is an adaptation of a project from the book.
Choosing a Desktop Publishing Book Tips
These aren't hard-and-fast rules or formulas but they are tried-and-true guidelines that hold true most of the time.
Business Tips
These aren't hard-and-fast rules or formulas but they are tried-and-true guidelines that hold true most of the time.
Software Tips
These aren't hard-and-fast rules or formulas but they are tried-and-true guidelines that hold true most of the time.
Scanning and Resolution Tips
Easy-to-remember guidelines that aren't necessarily hard-and-fast rules or scientific formulas but more than just a dumb guess. These tips cover printing and production for desktop publishing projects.
Printing and Production Tips
Easy-to-remember guidelines that aren't necessarily hard-and-fast rules or scientific formulas but more than just a dumb guess. These tips cover printing and production for desktop publishing projects.
Use the Right Iron On Transfer Paper
Save yourself from hefty repair bills by using the right paper for iron-on transfers. Get tips on the types of iron-on transfer papers.
How Many Points in a Pica?
For many, the measurement system of choice for typesetting and publication design is picas and points. If your work involves complex, multi-page designs such as books, magazines, newspapers, or newsletters, working in picas and points can be a real timesaver.
How Many Points in an Inch?
A point is a unit of measurement that is the standard for measuring type and is used for measuring depth of printing. One point is equal to .013836 of an inch.
How Many Picas in an Inch?
A pica is a typesetting unit of measurement commonly used for measuring lines of type. One pica equals 12 points.
Three Types of Newsletters
There are three general types or models of newsletters. Choose the one that fits your newsletter publishing mission.
Navigation
Longer publications such as books, newsletters, and annual reports need some way to help readers find specific information within the document. A table of contents and jumplines let readers know where they are going. Page numbers, continuation heads, running heads, and end signs are visual signposts that tell readers where they are within a document.
Adobe PageMaker Graphics and Objects
Working with graphics and other objects in Adobe PageMaker from Adobe Magazine archives
Titles
Typically headlines and titles are larger and more prominent than other text. These visual cues signal the start of a book, a magazine, an article, or a major division in a publication such as chapter of a book or a sub-section of a report.
Credits
Different types of publications have credits or other informational elements that contain such items as the name of the advertiser, publisher, or other entity, an address, a logo, copyright information, and other notices. The number of parts and where it appears varies by publication type. The signature of an ad, title page of a book, and masthead of a newsletter are types of credits.
Artwork
Even before reading the headlines, readers are often drawn to the artwork or main visuals on a page. Both the choice of images and their placement within a document provide information about the document, its purpose, and its organization.
Body
Body copy is the main text found in the publications we read. It is the text of the stories and articles. Body copy is not the headlines.
Find Out What File Formats Your Service Provider Can Accept
Before sending your file for printing insure it is in a format your printer or service bureau can handle.
Get a Deposit
Requesting a deposit from clients is standard trade practice for designers. While some clients might balk at paying something up front, never apologize or become defensive. Simply explain the rationale behind getting a deposit and, if necessary, explain how it is to the client's advantage to pay in installments.