Is there such a thing as a perfect page layout? Find the answer to that and other questions about creating effective and attractive print publications.
Get All the FAQs on Desktop Publishing: Career & Business | Software | Design & Layout | Graphics | Type & Fonts | Prepress & Printing
What is the Best Way to Do Desktop Publishing and Graphic Design?
Adobe CS4 Screenshot by J. Bear
While there is no right or wrong way to design projects for print or Web, there are certain best practices that yield better results than trial and error or throwing out all the rules or trying to use software that wasn't designed for what you're doing.
- What is the Difference Between Graphic Design and Desktop Publishing?
They are very, very similar... [more] - What are the Minimum Software Requirements for Doing Desktop Publishing?
The best way to do desktop publishing is to use good page layout software. [more] - What is TeX and LaTeX and Is It Desktop Publishing Software?
It's typesetting without the WYSIWYG... [more] - What Supplies Do I Need to Do Desktop Publishing?
Software, yes, but that's not all... [more] - Is There Such a Thing as a Perfect Page Layout?
There are some generally accepted guidelines. [more] - What Are the Rules of Desktop Publishing?
Explore my personal selection of guidelines and best practices that will result in better desktop publishing documents. [more] - How Do You Do Desktop Publishing?
The mechanics of desktop publishing after the design stage... [more]
How Do I Design... ?
From ads to wedding invitations, you can design it yourself using desktop publishing.
Beyond the elements and principles of design and general guidelines or rules, there are specific techniques for specific types of documents.
- How Do I Design a Good Ad?
Try the Ogilvy, the Z, the upside-down, or one of these other time-tested layout strategies. [more] - How Do I Design a Good Newsletter?
Use the 3 Cs of good newsletter design. [more] - What Information Should Go On a Business Card?
Don't forget the contact information. [more] - What's the Difference Between Magazines and Newsletters?
Sometimes it's hard to tell which is which but there are some common design differences. [more] - What is Ransom Note Desktop Publishing?
No, it's not kidnappers getting fancy. [more]
Is Digital Scrapbooking a Kind of Desktop Publishing?
Creating a scrapbook page. © S.D. Bear
In some ways, yes. [more]
How Do I Choose a Color Palette?
Choose colors based on symbolism, the color wheel, and more. Screenshots by J. James
Color can be an important element of any design project. Although somewhat objective and dependent on the preferences of the client, there are some ways in which our color choices can be made based on what we are creating.
What's the Difference Between a Dummy and a Comp?
They're both mock-ups but they usually come at different stages of the design process. [more]
How Are Points and Picas Used in Desktop Publishing?
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 picas in an inch?
A pica is a typesetting unit of measurement commonly used for measuring lines of type. One pica equals 12 points. [more] - 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. [more] - How many points in a pica?
For many, the measurement system of choice for typesetting and publication design is picas and points. [more]
Frequently Asked Questions
Get All the FAQs on Desktop Publishing: Career & Business | Software | Design & Layout | Graphics | Type & Fonts | Prepress & Printing
