Desktop publishing (abbreviated DTP) is the creation of documents using page layout skills on a personal computer. Desktop Publishing Software can generate layouts and produce typographic quality text and images comparable to traditional typography and printing. This technology allows individuals, businesses, and other organizations to self-publish a wide range of printed matter. Desktop publishing is also the main reference for digital typography. When used skillfully desktop publishing allows the user to produce a wide variety of materials, from menus to magazines and books, without the expense of commercial printing.
Desktop publishing combines a personal computer and WYSIWYG page layout software to create publication documents on a computer for either large scale publishing or small scale local multifunction peripheral output and distribution. Desktop publishing methods provide more control over design, layout, and typography than word processing does. However, word processing software has evolved to include some, though by no means all, capabilities previously available only with professional printing or desktop publishing.
The same DTP skills and software used for common paper and book publishing are sometimes used to create graphics for point of sale displays, promotional items, trade show exhibits, retail package designs and outdoor signs. Although what is classified as "DTP software" is usually limited to print and PDF publications, DTP skills aren't limited to print. The content produced by desktop publishers may also be exported and used for electronic media. The job descriptions that include "DTP", such as DTP artist, often require skills using software for producing e-books, web content, and web pages, which may involve web design or user interface design for any graphical user interface.
Types of Software - Desktop Publishing
There are four general groups of software used in desktop
publishing software most designers need. The following is a list of major
desktop publishing software. A wide range of related software tools exist in
this field, including many plug-ins and tools related to the applications
listed below.
Several software directories provide more comprehensive
listings of desktop publishing software, including VersionTracker and Tucows.
- Free /
Open-source
- Proprietary
- Historical
- External links
Free / Open-source
Scribus
LyX
Fatpaint
(Cloud-based)
Proprietary
Adobe
InDesign
Adobe
PageMaker, was Aldus Pagemaker; supplanted by InDesign
Corel Draw
QuarkXPress
FrameMaker,
now owned by Adobe
Greenstreet
Publisher Home and Publisher Business
InPage -
DTP which works with English + Urdu, Arabic, Persian, Pashto etc.
Interleaf/QuickSilver
iStudio
Publisher - Desktop publishing and page layout software for Mac OS X
Lucidpress
- Desktop publishing and page layout software that is web-based and
collaborative
Microsoft
Publisher
Pages, by
Apple, Inc.
PageStream,
formerly known as Publishing Partner
Prince XML,
by YesLogic
Print Shop,
originally produced by Broderbund
RagTime
Serif
PagePlus
Ventura
Publisher, now owned by Corel and originally developed by Xerox
UltraXML,
XML Dynamic Publishing Solution
Xara
Designer Pro X
Xara Page
& Layout Designer
Historical
1st Press
Desktop Publishing Software, GST Software
1st Word
Publisher, GST Software
Adobe
HomePublisher from Aldus, was Aldus Personal Press
AppleWorks
for Mac and Windows
Calamus -
for Atari TOS-based computers
geoPublish
- for the Commodore 64
Pressworks,
GST Software
Timeworks
Publisher
AcornDTP -
for the Acorn Archimedes
Impression
and Impression Publisher - for the Acorn Archimedes
