Desktop Publishing Career Guide and Counseling

Question: Desktop Publishing? I would like to know is there a good way to learn how to do desktop publishing? Are there any good websites that give tutorials?

Answer: There are two things to learn: one is how to use the software, the other are the basics of layout and design. For the software, there are books out there (I like the Peachpit Press QuickStart guides; the "for Dummies" books spend too much space trying to be funny), then of course there's the documentation and tutorials which comes with the program (though if they were so good, the 3rd-party books wouldn't be needed). As to the design and layout, I'm sure there are books out there, and I know there are classes. I learned it by working in a design office for 10 years, starting as "the computer guy" and ending up as a senior designer and programmer.

Question: What desktop publishing program can I use for small business that is inexpensive but good? Hi, I'm looking to start a small online business personalizing invitations, announcements, labels, etc. I am not a graphic designer but I am very creative hence the reason for this venture. What programs can I use for creating these types of products that is inexpensive to start with and does not require me to go back to school for desktop publishing? Also, do you know of any printers who work with small business owners for these types of products?

Answer: A great inexpensive desktop publishing program for doing what you are looking to do is Microsoft Publisher. I own a Sign / Printshop and I have alot of customers that use it and I even use it myself from time to time

Question: How can I start a decent home-based desktop publishing and Video production business? I am wanting to begin a small homebased desktop publishing company and im looking for some info. from anyone who owns a small desktop publishing company or knows about starting a business or anyone who just knows a lot about desktop publishing. I need to know what software and hardware is also needed. I also am into video production. Like taking old home videos and sprucing them up and puting them on dvd and things like that.

Answer: You don't need a Mac. Its a great computer but a colossal waste of money. You don't want to buy a piece of crap PC either (HP, Compaq) you want a Dell or Gateway, or preferably a local shop can build you one using all the finest parts....any of those three options is better than HP More important than the computer, is the software....and the Adobe software you'll be needing is available on both platforms...only... PC's are 1/5 the cost of a Mac. That is why you'd be throwing your money away getting a Mac. I've been in the printing/graphics industry for 15 years. I have Mac and PC's now. I can tell you that Macs have absolutely no advantage over a PC... ZERO, zilch,nada, zippity, None. all the advertising you see on TV is a bunch of fluff. Its the software that makes a computer productive anyway....not the machine. In the end..will anyone ever know if your website or brochure was created on a Mac or PC? ...no...exactly. Oh yes..final note...do not under any circumstances, use MS Publisher. It is the bane of the printing industry...it has compatibility issues up the gazoo. It is complete garbage. Adobe In-Design is the new industry standard.

Question: Which of the desktop publishing features of Word have you utilized before? Which of the desktop publishing features of Word have you utilized before? How did they work? Any thoughts about designated desktop publishing software?

Answer: All of them. They work fine when used right, which can take years to learn. Are you asking if I have any thoughts on WORD being designated as desktop publishing software? Unfortunately, the answer depends on your needs. If you are producing high-quality print media, then don't use Word. It won't do for designing things that require bleeds, separations, laminate, etc. If you're producing simple documents, manuals, and flyers, it's perfect.

Question: What is the difference between graphic design and desktop publishing? I am interested in desiging layout for a magazine. Is that graphic design or desktop publishing? Can you give me a brief description of what graphic design is vs. what desktop publishing is? Thanks in advance! <3 Kerry

Answer: The best way to answer your quest is that desktop publishing is a small aspect of the graphic design industry. Desktop publishing is essentially dealing with the content aspect of the publishing industry. It is dealing with layouts, placement, content, imagery, and just about everything else that is required of putting together a published piece with the except of the written content and the actual printing aspect of it. It is the heart and soul of the publishing business. To correct what the previous answerer stated, the current world of graphic design goes far beyond just logos. These days graphic designers are not only expected to design logos and stationery, but also know a significant amount of desktop publishing, typography, printing, and to a lesser extent photography, advertising, and web design. We are expected to know a little bit of everything when it comes to designing projects. To answer your question, yes, what you are interested in is desktop publishing. However, there are very few jobs these days that are purely desktop publishing with the except of the newspaper industry. Anything that involves designing layouts these days are turned over to graphic designers, so if that's what you're interested it in then that should be what you should be pursuing. Good luck to you in your future endeavors.

Question: What are the effects of desktop publishing on society? I need to do a paper on that topic, and can't find any information on it. Please. I need your help. What are the effects of desktop publishing on the society? Please site your sourse so I can refer back to it if I need more information. Thanks bunches!

Answer: Here is one example... Before the 1980s, practically all typesetting for publishers and advertisers was performed by specialist typesetting companies. These companies performed keyboarding, editing and production of paper or film output, and formed a large component of the graphic arts industry. In 1985, desktop publishing became available, starting with the Apple Macintosh, Adobe PageMaker (and later QuarkXPress) and PostScript. Improvements in software and hardware, and rapidly-lowering costs, popularized desktop publishing and enabled very fine control of typeset results much less expensively than the minicomputer dedicated systems. By the year 2000 this industry segment had shrunk because publishers were now capable of integrating typesetting and graphic design on their own in-house computers. Many found that the cost of maintaining high standards of typographic design and technical skill made it more economical to out-source to freelancers and graphic design specialists. The availability of cheap, or free, fonts made the conversion to do-it-yourself easier but also opened up a gap between skilled designers and amateurs. The advent of PostScript, supplemented by the PDF file format, provided a universal method of proofing designs and layouts, readable on major computer and operating systems.

Question: What's the most user friendly desktop publishing software out there? I'm publishing a very small national newspaper but I'm new to desktop publishing. Any thoughts?

Answer: There is not much choice actually. The two professional programs are Adobe InDesign and QuarkXpress. If you are on a tight budget there is also Scribus which is free. It is not that good but it does the job. Everything else will probably be too amateur to run a newspaper. Personaly I prefer InDesign.

Question: How much to charge for desktop publishing? My partner and I are doing some desktop publishing and we wanted to know how much we should charge for: brochures, ebook cover creation, editing ebooks and converting to .pdf files, etc. Would prefer a per job and not an hourly rate. Any ideas? Serious answers only, please. Thanks!

Answer: This would depend both on your level of expertise AND the amount of work involved. IE: If you only needed to create a single page, like a mock up for an e-book, then this only takes a short bit of time, using only fonts, where creating a logo would take far more time and far more work AND creativity. Base your quotes on 50-75 an hour as a general rule of thumb, and adjust for your area.

Question: What is a good program for Desktop Publishing? I know there is Microsoft Publisher. Should I try something different. I have a home office and I do some desktop publishing jobs. I want to do inivitations, newsletter, menus, booklets, brochure and the like. Can you recommend?

Answer: There are lots to choose from. Are they that diferent? No... -Publisher -OpenOffice might work, but will be rough around the edges (not designed for DTP) -Word (same as OpenOffice... not designed for DTP) -Adobe InDesign -Adobe PageMaker -QuarkXPress -There's also Scribus (free): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scribus Publisher, if you already have it, will definitely do the job easily.

Question: What are good or accredited online programs/distance learning for desktop publishing? I'm interested in starting my own business but don't have time to go to school in person. I'm looking for a certificate program or just individual courses/classes that are good for individuals interested in learning desktop publishing, creative programs like adobe illustrator/photoshop, etc. My options: online/distance learning classes available online or individual courses at a local school or center in Long Island....Any ideas??

Answer: May be this site can help you http://www.a1onlinecourses.com