How To Software Learning How to Do Desktop Publishing The Desktop Document Step-by-Step Share Pin Email Print Software Desktop Publishing Documents Spreadsheets Presentations Graphic Design Databases Animation & Video by Jacci Howard Bear Updated June 29, 2017 Learning how to do desktop publishing involves mastering desktop publishing tasks that fall into 6 areas: design, setup, text, images, file preparation, and printing.Suggested PrerequisitesFAQ: What is the difference between graphic design and desktop publishing?12 Rules of Desktop PublishingAdditional Resources for Learning Desktop PublishingGlossary / Mini-TutorialsThe Desktop DocumentAlthough presented step-by-step, learning and doing desktop publishing is not an entirely linear progression. You'll find yourself going back and forth many times between tasks and between each phase both while learning desktop publishing and when creating desktop published documents.Prior to the actual creation of the document is the design phase. This is an on-going process but initially it involves determining the basic form of the document. The design phase of desktop publishing can involve:Document format decisionsConceptualizationColor selectionFont selectionImage selectionDESIGN TUTORIALSDocument Setup PhaseThis is where the desktop publishing really begins. Document setup tasks could include:Template selectionPage size and margins setupColumns or grid setupMaster pages setupColor palette customizationParagraph styles setupDOCUMENT SETUP TUTORIALSText PhaseThe text can take many forms. It may be supplied to the desktop publisher by a client or supervisor or the desktop publisher may create their own text. Text can be created in a word processor or directly in the desktop publishing application. Text-related tasks of desktop publishing fall into two categories:Text aquisitionText acquisition is the method by which text is created (such as typing in a word processor) and imported into a desktop publishing application.Text compositionText composition consists of many individual tasks regarding where and how text is arranged on the page and how the text is formated, including spacing, hyphenation, and type styles. Composing type is one of the most involved steps in learning how to do desktop publishing.TEXT TUTORIALS Images PhaseImage selection and preparation may occur at any point during document creation. Working with images in desktop publishing can involve:Image aquisitionImage aquistion may be from scanning or by acquiring digital clip art or photos.Image creation & editingImage conversionImage placementImage placement refers to the method of bringing images into a desktop publishng application.IMAGES TUTORIALS File Preparation PhaseAfter the document looks the way the desktop publisher wants it to look, it's time to make sure that it will print the way it is supposed to print. This phase is also known as the prepress phase. Prepress or file preparation may include some or all of these tasks:ProofingFont embeddingTrappingColor specs verificationImpositionPackaging of digital fileFILE PREPARATION TUTORIALSPrinting & Finishing PhaseAfter the document is designed and the file prepared for printing, the last step in desktop publishing is the actual printing, along with any finishing touches required. These tasks could be part of the printing and finishing phase:Print to desktop printerorDelivery of digital file to service bureau or printerFinishing (Varnish, Trim, Fold...)Distribution of finished documentPRINTING & FINISHING TUTORIALSHow to Do Desktop Publishing > Basic Desktop Publishing > The Desktop Document Pick Your Path to Desktop Publishing Choose Software:Desktop Publishing and Design Software Training, Education, Jobs:Careers in Desktop PublishingIn the Classroom:Back to School With Desktop PublishingMake Something:Things to Make for the HolidaysUse Templates:Templates for Print and Web Publishing Continue Reading