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1.introduction To Desktop Publishing

This document provides an overview of desktop publishing (DTP), including its definition, purpose, types of software, and features. It outlines the steps involved in using DTP systems for creating various publications such as cards, certificates, and books. The module aims to equip trainees with the skills to effectively use DTP software for designing and producing high-quality publications.

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31 views4 pages

1.introduction To Desktop Publishing

This document provides an overview of desktop publishing (DTP), including its definition, purpose, types of software, and features. It outlines the steps involved in using DTP systems for creating various publications such as cards, certificates, and books. The module aims to equip trainees with the skills to effectively use DTP software for designing and producing high-quality publications.

Uploaded by

edithgesare6
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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DESKTOP PUBLISHING

By the end of this module unit, the trainee should be able to:
a) Explain the concept of desktop publishing
b) Explain the page layout in desktop publishing
c) Explain the opening, saving and closing of dtp files
d) Explain the application of color pellets
e) Explain the insertion of text frames
f) Explain object linking and embedding in dtp
g) Explain the application of desktop publishing in design

1.0 Introduction
Publishing is the process of producing publications such as newspapers, cards, pamphlets,
pictures, calendars, books, etc. that has special text and graphical layouts & designs.
Traditionally, publishing involved drawing and writing manually on wooden or metallic
boards. The artwork would then be painted with ink and pressed on papers to produce a
printout.
Today, the art of publishing makes use of Personal computers & small printers that are able
to print high-quality text and graphics. All the publishing processes can be done on a desk in
the office or at home.

1.1 Definition of Desktop Publishing


Desktop publishing refers to the process of producing publications by designing their text
and graphics layout using special desktop publishing software installed on personal
computers. The text and graphical objects can then be inserted, edited, formatted and
printed.
Examples of desktop publishers;
 Adobe PageMaker
 Adobe Photoshop - mainly used for editing & formatting photographs.
 Adobe illustrator - used for creating complex freehand artwork such as drawings & logos.
 CorelDraw.
 Microsoft Publisher.
 Ventura.
 Harvard graphic.

1.2 Purpose of Desktop publishing software

DTP programs give the typesetter (the person designing publications) a lot of control on:
(a). Graphic design:
Using DTP software, a typesetter can create and edit very complex text & graphical
objects of high quality.
For example, the software provides the user with rulers & ruler guides that can be used
to place an object in the correct position within the publication.

(b). Page layout design:


With a desktop publisher, the user can design a page layout by setting consistent
(constant) picture and object locations, divide a page into a number of columns, and also
create layers.
Layering is the arrangement of objects on top of each other with the one on top being on
the first layer.
(c). Printing:
To produce any publications, they must be printed. Therefore, DTP software helps the
user to prepare artwork (i.e., publications that are ready for printing).
1.3 Types of Desktop publishing software
There are 2 main types of DTP software:
a) Graphical based:
They are specifically developed for editing & formatting graphic objects like pictures.
Examples;
 Adobe Photoshop.
 Harvard graphic.
 CorelDraw.
Graphic-based desktop publishers have superior capabilities for handling images such as
setting resolution, brightness, contrast, cropping, and filling the images with colour.
b) Layout based:
They are specifically developed to create different page layout designs for text and
pictures.
Examples;
 Adobe PageMaker.
 Microsoft Publisher.
1.4 Designing a publication
Different publications have different design layouts and formatting.
Types of publications
There are several types of publications that can be produced using DTP software. They
include:
(a). Cards
They may be for special occasions such as weddings, graduations, harambee, and for
congratulations.
(b). Certificates
These are types of publications used to show completion of courses and special events.
Note. Certificates are very sensitive, and must be designed to discourage any type of
duplication or counterfeits.
(c). Newspapers, Magazines, Pamphlets and Newsletters:
They contain news targeting a group of people.
(d). Books
Are bulky publications with many pages that are bound together.
(e). Calendars
They are used to show dates. They are also used by companies to advertise their
products.

(f). Notices, Brochures, Posters / Advertisement, and Catalogues.

2 Features of DTP software.


a) Text can be entered directly into a DTP publication. Alternatively, the text can be
entered into a Word processor and then copied into the DTP document.
Graphics can be created in a separate program, then incorporated into a Desktop
publishing program. A Scanner can also be used to copy images, such as photographs and
drawings, into a Desktop publishing document. A Scanner is a device that reads text and
images into a document.
b) A DTP program gives you more control over the graphics in a publication. You can:
 move - change the position of a graphic on a page,
 size - make a graphic larger or smaller,
 Rotate - turn or spin a graphic, and
 Crop - trim part of a graphic.
c) Has a wide range of Fonts & print sizes that can be merged with useful symbols, such as
arrows and stars.
d) Has Columns of various widths, in which the text is fitted automatically using sensible
hyphenation. The columns can also be reorganization automatically.
e) Enables Scaling and cropping of publications so as to fit the available space.
f) Page numbers can be inserted.
g) Enables production of multiple page documents.

Steps in using a DTP System.

1. Prepare your text and illustrations with a Word processor or a Graphics package.
Alternatively, use a Scanner to input text and graphics from other sources.

2. Using the DTP program, develop the format of each page.


Your screen becomes an electronic paste board with rulers, column guides and other page
design aids.

3. Copy the text and illustrations into the page format you have designed in the DTP program.
The DTP program will automatically move the excess text to another column or page and
also help size and place illustrations and headings.
4. Format the pages on the screen to look the way you want them, then store them electronically
on your hard disk. If necessary, print them on a Laser Printer to produce the finished printed
material.

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