The Basics of Desktop Publishing

Department of Instructional TechnologyJacksonville ISDJacksonville, TX

What is Desktop Publishing?

The use of the computer and specialized software to create documents for commercial printing Refers to the process of using the computer to produce documents that were once created manually using a variety of non-computer techniques along with large phototypesetting machines

What is Desktop Publishing?

The technical assembly of digital files in the proper format for printingMuch of the "graphic design" process is also accomplished using desktop publishing and graphics software

Comparison between desktop publishing and graphic design:

Desktop publishing-the process of using the computer and specific types of software to combine text and graphics to produce documents such as newsletters, brochures, books, etcGraphic design-the process and art of combining text and graphics and communicating an effective message in the design of logos, graphics, brochures, newsletters, posters, signs, and any other type of visual communication

Before you begin a DTP document…

Identify the purposeIdentify the audienceIdentify the intended outcome

…of the writing

Define Target Audience

To determine what to writeTo determine the tone of the documentTo determine how to organize layout and design

Text/Font Selection

Standard type size is 10-12 pts.Industry standard font styles: Times New Roman Arial Garamond

Highlights include Bold, Underline and Italics.

Graphics…

For visual impactFor greater understandingCondenses large amounts of informationNo more than 10-25% of total projectAdd appropriate labels for visuals

Graphics…

Types of graphics include- Charts Graphs Line graphs Illustrations Photographs Other diagrams

Works Cited

Technical and Business Writing. 1996 ed.

Boca Raton, FL: Bar Charts, Inc.

For more information on DTP, visit the following Web sites:

http://desktoppublishing.com/dtpsources.html

http://www.sketchpad.net/default.htm

Or in United Streaming search for and read the article: Desktop Publishing