10 Desktop Publishing Myths
Neophytes Can Create Professional-Looking Documents
A myth about desktop publishing is you have to be a grahic designer to create professional looking documents. This is false, with this list, a neophyte can do it.
Desktop Publishing (DTP) is an old term which means designing a flyer, magazine cover, newsletters, etc. on a home computer, using a graphics program and/or a word processor. Other programs can also be used; for example, Microsoft PowerPoint or Publisher.
1. When designing a publication, there is only one way to set up the document.
False! There are many different ways to set up a document. Here are a few:
• One complete page
• Use a table with different combinations of lines and rows
• Divide the document into two sections, top and bottom, or left and right
• Divide the document into four sections, once by length and once by width
• Use two or three columns
• Or any combinations from above
2. You must have artistic talent.
False! Artistic talent is not mandatory but it helps. Anyone can use pre-designed templates to get started. Then add your own graphics and information.
3. You cannot combine different picture elements and create a new picture.
False! Pictures and sections of photos can easily be combined to create something new. A photo's color, shading, size and highlights can be altered. This is why a photo cannot be used as evidence in a court trial.
4. You can use any picture.
False! Depending on the purpose and use of the publication you are creating, determines the photo's you will be able to use. If the publication is for in-house only, then you can use almost any graphic. If the publication will be used for any purpose outside of the company, then you are much more restricted. Advertising, informational purposes, and sales for example, all graphics must be licensed to your company. Do not search the web for pictures and use them unless you have written permission from the artist and the person who owns the graphic.
5. You must know about colors.
False! The beginning designer should be sure the colors do not clash or are too bright and hurt the reader's eyes. An advanced designer may use a color chart to select colors. Good combinations are muted colors, all in the same color family or opposites.
6. You must know how to write.
False! Knowing how to write is helpful but not mandatory, especially if someone else is writing the articles. What you do need to know is how to adjust the text to make the article fit the space set up for it. This means that some text may be re-worded to enlarge or shrink the article for a better fit. Other times, all that may be necessary to do is to enlarge or shrink the text by one point size (from 10 to 11).
7. You need expensive programs to create documents.
False! Absolutely not, many effects can be accomplished with a word processor. Shadows, lines, graphics, columns, text boxes and more are items that can be done with a basic word processor.
8. DTP documents can only be printed on white paper.
False! Any color paper can be printed on, just be careful of the text colors. The reader should be able to read the text easily. Beginning designers sometimes make the colors of the text and background too close together, making the text hard to read.
9. Administrative assistants and secretaries do not need to know how to do DTP.
False! Everyone should know the basics about desktop publishing because being able to create publications in-house, saves the company money. Every business needs to make a profit, and saving money by employees creating most of the publications will add up quickly with the current cost of purchasing professionally designed materials.
10. In-House desktop publishing does not look professional.
False! Any publishing project can and should look professional. With the use of all of the above, the correct weight of paper, color, size and placement of graphics and overall balance of white space, any and all publishing will look professional.
Desktop publishing is fun and easy. Assemble the items to be included, then work with the placement of these items. Re-arrange items until you have the desired look.
