Of all the types of desktop publishing 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 publications. There are many sub-categories of page layout or desktop publishing software and the first is also termed page layout software and refers to software suitable for single page artistic layouts or short documents.
Used for: The typical projects for page layout tools include ads, fliers, brochures, newsletters, posters, and business cards.
Used by: Programs in this category are generally tailored to professional designers. Non-designers can certainly use them, but the high-end features, learning curve, and price make them less attractive for home and small office or home-based business use.
Features: Extensive typographic control and graphics handling capabilities are typical features of page layout software. These programs have good built-in or add-on graphics features or integrate well with standalone graphics software programs. These are also programs that are suitable for commercial printing and generally well-accepted by service bureaus and commercial printers.
Primary Software in this Category: Although these programs may also have features that make them suitable to other sub-categories of desktop publishing, they are generally the best choices for the projects and users described in this profile.
- Adobe InDesign
- QuarkXPress
Secondary Software in this Category: Corel Ventura is generally thought of as more of a long document composition tool while Adobe PageMaker, Microsoft Publisher (2000 and up), and Serif PagePlus are marketed to small businesses and consumers; but they all four have many of the typical features of a good professional page layout program — the latter two at a fraction of the cost of most professional desktop publishing software. Publisher and PagePlus do not have as wide an acceptance with commercial service providers.
Alternative Software in this Category: Although primarily classified as graphics software, illustration software is also suitable for many of the uses described for page layout software and generally have most of the key features required. Top choices include:
- Adobe Illustrator
- CorelDRAW
- Macromedia Freehand
Disclaimer: The specific desktop publishing software programs described in this profile are not the only software suitable for these tasks. They are, however, some of the most widely used desktop publishing programs that fit this category.
