DESKTOP PUBLISHING SOFTWARE

Definition: desktop publishing (DTP) is a process of

designing publications of professional quality such
as
- newspapers
- invitation
- posters ,
- fliers
- journal
- and books using a specialised DTP software.
Desktop Publishing Software: is a special purpose
used to create publication of professional quality
Example of such include:
- Adobe PageMaker ,
- Microsoft Publisher,
- QuarkXpress ,
- Adobe InDesign,
- Adobe Illustration,
- CorelDraw,
- Serf PagePlus and
- Apple Page 2
Criteria for Selecting a DTP Software

It is important to identify the

operating system environmental
in
which
the application will be run
 Benefits of DTP’s
1. Every item on a page is contained in a frame hence can be
edited and formatted independently
2. DTP’s provide more control on how text and graphics can be
arranged and formatted
3. Frames containing text or graphics need not flow in logical
sequence
4. DTP’s provide master page used to set a common layout which
may be repeated on several pages
5. In DTP’s publications can be printed in a form suitable for
commercial digital or offset printing using colour separations.
6. Most DTP’s have predefined templates such as brochures,
booklets, posters and business cards is available
7. Multiple stories from different authors
8. DTP’s enhances visual communication to different audience
9. DTP’s ensures files print properly in their true colors , fonts and
measurements.
 Types of DTP Software
There are 2 (Two) major type categories :
Graphic –based and Layout – based
 Graphic- based: are specifically used to edit and format graphics
objects such as pictures and vector drawings.
Vector drawings are freehand drawings such as those drawn by fine
artists.
Examples: Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Illustrator
Corel draw.
These software have superior graphics handling capabilities such as
setting resolution, brightness, contrast, cropping and filing images
with colors
It is important to note that some graphic-based software like
corel , adobe Illustrator may be used for page layout design.
Layout – based DTP’s: These types of DTP are
specifically used to design page layout for text
and graphics.
For instance the front page of a newspaper.
Example:
Adobe page maker
Microsoft Publisher and
Adobe InDesign
 Purpose of Desktop software
DTP programs are very popular in publishing; because
they give the person designing publications a lot of
control on:
• Graphics design: using a DTP software such as
corelDraw or Illustrator, one can design vector image
using the drawing the drawing tools. Image editing such
as in Adobe Photoshop lets the user manipulate
graphics as pictures.
•Page layout design: the reason why we prefer DTP’s to
word processors is because of page design.
DTP’s are used to design a page layout by setting
consistent picture and object locations , dividing a page
in a number of newspaper columns and adding layers. A
layers can be viewed as the arrangement of objects on
top of each other object being on its own layer.
 Printing
Printing is the main goal of publications,
Therefore ,
DTP software offer more flexibility in printing,
like image
colour separation.
 Examples of Publications
There are several examples of publications but we
are going to look at the following:
1. Newspapers: these are daily publications bearing
news , sports etc… for the readers.
2. Magazines: a magazine is a publication
containing news, features, specialists knowledge
etc.. That has many pictures and Illustrations
targeting a particular audience
3. Book: a book is a publication in a particular
subject area or featuring a particular story
4. Calendar: this is a publication showing the dates
and days of the week, month and year.
 Features of DTP software
Most DTP provide the user with a variety of tools for designing ,
manipulating and editing a publication.

The following are tools common in most DTP’s:

• Select tool – used to select , move and resize image
and text.
• Text tool – used to draw text frames, insert and
manipulate text.
• Shapes tool – for drawing basing shapes like
rectangles and for importing objects
•Zoom tool – This tool is used for magnifying
publication view
• Rotate tool – this tool is used for rotating text or
graphics.
 Getting started with Ms. Publisher
As you open publisher, you may note the following
features:
• Menu Tabs

• Printable area

• Master Page

and

• Design tools (discuss the table on page 191-2)

 Creating Publications
Designing a publication
After you open a page, before you enter text and
graphics in it you need to design it first.
The following are key factors you need to consider
when designing:
1. Decide the type of publication
2. Decide the layout of the publication
3. Decide on about the colour scheme, fonts,
margins, graphics and make sure the page is set
properly.
 Set up new publication
Sometimes, it is necessary to change setup options of
a publication. Such options include: page size,
margins, orientation.
Steps to take when setting up a publication:
1. On the file tab, click page set up. A dialog box
appears.
2. Specify the following
a. in the blank page size box
b. on the right of the dialog box select margin
setting and then adjust them to desired size
c. click advanced button to specify more settings
d. click OK to effect the changes