Desktop Publishing Software Buying Advice
What is the best desktop publishing software? How does InDesign stack up against QuarkXPress? Should you update to the latest version of CorelDRAW or Photoshop? How do academic versions of desktop publishing software differ from retail copies? Discover what you need to know before buying desktop publishing software, read software reviews, get graphics, word processing, and desktop publishing software recommendations from others.
Find the Right Desktop Publishing Software
Desktop publishing software is a tool for graphic designers and non-designers to create visual communications for professional or desktop printing. Discover the many types of desktop publishing software, major publishers of desktop publishing software, and how to use desktop publishing software.
Find the Right Graphic Design Software
Discover what graphic design software is, who makes it, and what the top choices are in graphic design software and how graphic design software and desktop publishing software differ and coincide.
Find the Right Graphics Software for Desktop Publishing
While you might only use canned clip art and unmodified stock photography, at some point most designers will want to create original artwork or make substantial changes to existing images. For that you need a dedicated graphics software package. Get help on choosing the right graphics software for use with desktop publishing software.
Take It For a Spin: Trial and Demo Versions of Desktop Publishing Software
Many software publishers do provide at least some means of testdriving their products before you invest heavily. While demos and trial versions may differ from the full product, they can give you an overview of the product and help you get a feel for which program will best suit your needs and your style of working.
Buying Professional Desktop Publishing Applications
The primary software applications needed by professional designers are expensive. Get buying advice before paying thousands of dollars for desktop publishing software for professional use.
Buying Academic Versions of DTP Applications
An attractive alternative to paying full price for desktop publishing software is to purchase academically priced versions, often at one-half to one-third the price of the full retail version. Get buying advice before you consider academic software.
Buying Collections and Suites for Desktop Publishing
A complete design and graphics toolbox can run into thousands of dollars. Offers buying advice for these special collections and suites that put all the tools you need on your desktop at great savings.
Buying Home Publishing Software
Sometimes called desktop publishing software, home publishing or creative printing products are primarily for the non-professional or novice designer. Before buying software for home use, consider these options.
Buying Logo Software and Tools
Provides buying advice on the types of software and supplies you'll need when logo design is your primary focus.
Buying Upgrades to Professional DTP Applications
The primary applications for professional design carry hefty price tags and often steep learning curves. Your investment of time and money is a major consideration when choosing to upgrade.
Upgrades: Old vs. New Desktop Publishing Software
Most desktop publishing software publishers come out with new and improved versions every year or so. Sometimes they will abandon a product used by millions in favor of something entirely different. If a competitor adds a new feature, you're likely to find that feature and 5 more in the next upgrade of a product. But is it necessary to upgrade or switch every time? Do you become hopeless left beh…
What is the Best Desktop Publishing Software for Personal Projects?
You don't have to be a professional graphic designer to enjoy desktop publishing. What kind of software is best for creating personal projects from greeting cards to scrapbooks to t-shirts? Readers nominated their choices.
Desktop Publishing Giants (2000)
Being the biggest doesn't make you the best, but it is one thing to consider. Is QuarkXPress still the overwhelming leader in high-end publishing? Of Print Shop, Printmaster, or Print Artist which is the best-selling home publishing title?
Quark vs. Adobe
Tom Arah's perspective on which company will win the DTP software battle.
Law Firm Technology Survey
Looks at WordPerfect vs. Word, and other word processing programs in law firms. Why or why not?
Designer Roundup
From 2001, a list of graphics and publishing programs and a look at which is the best for which job presented by Tom Arah.