Desktop publishing software Options

[Seer_Green]

I'm looking for some advice about desktop publishing software. I really need some software so that I can design leaflets, business cards, newsletters etc. and save them in a print-ready format - this means I need to be able to set up crop marks, bleeds and save as CMYK - otherwise, I can do the design, but then have to get someone else to set all these things up ready for printing which is an extra cost.

In the past, I have had Microsoft Publisher. I see there is a 2013 version, but it seems it's only available as a download (which might be fine, but I've no experience of that). I can do quite a bit in Adobe Photoshop Elements but I cannot set the correct crop marks and it only does RGB colour - its limitation is a bit below where I need to be.

Does anyone have any suggestions, preferably reasonably easy to use and not too costly?

[owainsutton]

Scribus is a fully free product which should be able to do what you want. It ain't perfect, but I've produced some nice flyers and business cards with it (even if I say so myself).

If you're after Pantone colour matching, however, you're going to be stuck with proprietary offerings, because they (questionably) protect their entire system through copyright and patent law.

[Seer_Green]

If you're after Pantone colour matching, however, you're going to be stuck with proprietary offerings, because they (questionably) protect their entire system through copyright and patent law.

Sorry, that's a bit beyond me (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)

[Tenor Viol]

I use a DTP package called Pageplus from Serif to do e-newsletters for my choirs etc. I'm on an older version of it (X3) so I suspect current verison (x6) is more versatile. Here's a link: http://www.serif.com/pageplus/ I think you can get it for much less than quoted on their web site.

[Banjogirl]

I've used Scribus and it's okay, though I didn't find it very intuitive. But then I'm not the greatest person at using new bits of software. When I've had things printed I've given the printer what I want, in the right sizes and so and they haven't charged any extra for the setting up. Or you can use someone like Vistaprint, where you can see exactly what you're getting and adjust accordingly.

[owainsutton]

If you're after Pantone colour matching, however, you're going to be stuck with proprietary offerings, because they (questionably) protect their entire system through copyright and patent law.

Sorry, that's a bit beyond me (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)

In that case, don't worry about it! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Swell Box]

It's surprising what you can do in Word. Indeed, I believe MS Publisher has fallen behind on occasions for precisely that reason.

If you are happy to use Publisher I would do so. There is no need to be concerned about downloading the software, (it is often easier than messing about with CD's), and you will get a trial period.

I am currently using something called Adobe InDesign, which is quite flexible, and does everything that it is supposed to, but isn't the most intuitive. I find Word much easier.

However, Adobe do offer a 30 day trial, and there is also the option to rent, rather than buy the software if you want to.

I have also just noticed that IE10, installed this morning, has a built in spell checker! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

SB

[mcm]

I use a DTP package called Pageplus from Serif to do e-newsletters for my choirs etc. I'm on an older version of it (X3) so I suspect current verison (x6) is more versatile. Here's a link: http://www.serif.com/pageplus/ I think you can get it for much less than quoted on their web site.

+1 for PagePlus. My 10-year old PP9 will do everything you want, so don't feel you need to get the latest and most expensive version. It is incredibly flexible and pretty intuitive once you have gone through the basic learning curve.

[Seer_Green]

Thanks for all your suggestions (and e-mails and PMs) - it seems that Publisher might be the way to go. It's a shame about Word, but it just doesn't provide the necessary means of making documents acceptable for commercial printing these days.

[Swell Box]

Many publishers seem happy to use Acrobat (*.pdf) files provided they are saved in the correct quality.

If you can achieve the layout that you want in Word, the file can be converted into PDF format and submitted to the publisher. Adobe Acrobat has built in settings for this purpose.

SB

[Seer_Green]

Many publishers seem happy to use Acrobat (*.pdf) files provided they are saved in the correct quality.

If you can achieve the layout that you want in Word, the file can be converted into PDF format and submitted to the publisher. Adobe Acrobat has built in settings for this purpose.

SB

That's interesting - I've got a free program called PrimoPDF so I can print documents to PDF format. Would a better PDF generator give more options in terms of the layout?

[Swell Box]

Many publishers seem happy to use Acrobat (*.pdf) files provided they are saved in the correct quality.

If you can achieve the layout that you want in Word, the file can be converted into PDF format and submitted to the publisher. Adobe Acrobat has built in settings for this purpose.

SB

That's interesting - I've got a free program called PrimoPDF so I can print documents to PDF format. Would a better PDF generator give more options in terms of the layout?

I think it depends on what the published documents will be used for. If it is only text then I suspect any PDF converter could be used. However, if there are images you would need to be able to create PDF files with reduced compression (higher quality).

Acrobat files are popular because the reader is free and universal (you pay for Acrobat Writer), and because the compressed files are small, but this inevitably results in a loss of quality owing to the 'lossy' compression used. However, if you select 'Press Quality' the image quality is much better.

If you speak to the publishers they should tell you what they need.

SB

[owainsutton]

Acrobat files are popular because the reader is free and universal (you pay for Acrobat Writer), and because the compressed files are small, but this inevitably results in a loss of quality owing to the 'lossy' compression used. However, if you select 'Press Quality' the image quality is much better.

It's not strictly correct to call them Acrobat files: the Portable Document Format (PDF) was created by Adobe, but is now an open ISO standard, hence the portability between software and systems. This is also why there's numerous pieces of software that can create them - it's worth noting that LibreOffice has a native PDF Export option, including options for lossless image compression and font embedding.

[Swell Box]

Acrobat files are popular because the reader is free and universal (you pay for Acrobat Writer), and because the compressed files are small, but this inevitably results in a loss of quality owing to the 'lossy' compression used. However, if you select 'Press Quality' the image quality is much better.

It's not strictly correct to call them Acrobat files: the Portable Document Format (PDF) was created by Adobe, but is now an open ISO standard, hence the portability between software and systems. This is also why there's numerous pieces of software that can create them - it's worth noting that LibreOffice has a native PDF Export option, including options for lossless image compression and font embedding.

Thank you for pointing that out Owain. I am getting old and need to catch up! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

SB

[BitterSweet]

New versions of Microsoft Office also have PDF built in as a file format one can save to. I generally use it for most documents as I know everything from an iPhone to a Linux desktop can handle them, and they can't be edited, so I feel more secure about sending forms and paperwork that way.

I have Scribus, but I'm a mac user, so that affects my choices.