Before You Upgrade Desktop Publishing Software

The primary applications for professional design carry hefty price tags and steep learning curves. Weigh carefully the upgrade costs of time and money against the new features and benefits. Your investment of time is especially important when considering a competitive upgrade. You'll be learning a new program and converting existing materials to the new format.

Version Upgrade

The major desktop publishing software publishers upgrade — often annually. Each new version brings improvements to existing tools and added features. Carefully look at what enhancements you are purchasing to ensure they are things you need. Not all upgrades are essential. You may save time and money by waiting for the next incremental or full upgrade.

• Top Reasons to Upgrade or Not Upgrade
• Ways to Save Money on Software

Competitive Upgrades

Software publishers entice users to switch to their software by offering special, sometimes limited time pricing offers. When considering a competitive upgrade, remember that you will be learning a new application and may have a substantial amount of work that needs to be converted to a new format. The ease with which the new program handles that conversion is an important consideration.

Upgrades from Academic Versions

Although academic versions are normally upgradeable, you may be limited to upgrading only to another academic version (with proof of eligibility and the subsequent restrictions of that license) or have to pay extra for a less restrictive upgrade. Check the license before you buy.

• Before You Buy Academic Software

Consumer Desktop Publishing Software Upgrades

Programs such as The Print Shop and PrintMaster seem to have new versions much more frequently the high-end desktop publishing software. They'll add some new features but also increase the number of templates, graphics, and fonts offered with each edition. Although the price is often low, check the new feature lists carefully to be sure you really need that new version just months after getting your current one. Also, watch out for major upgrades and revamps to the software that may no longer support existing files in older versions. Users ran into that issue when PrintMaster went from 18 to 2.0 and when The Print Shop went from 23 to 2.0. It was a whole new technology and old files were not compatible.

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• User Reviews: The Print Shop