Desktop publishing facts for kids
Desktop publishing (often called DTP) is about creating documents using special computer programs. These programs help you design how text and pictures look on a page. Think of it like being a designer for books, magazines, or flyers, but all done on your personal computer!
When DTP started in the 1980s, it was a big deal. Before DTP, making professional-looking documents was hard and expensive. Only big companies could do it. DTP made it possible for smaller businesses and even people at home to create documents that looked really good, much better than what a simple word processor could do.
Contents
History of Desktop Publishing
How DTP Started in the 1980s
Desktop publishing began in 1985. The first program for this was called MacPublisher. It ran on the original Apple Macintosh computer. This program was special because it was WYSIWYG. This means "What You See Is What You Get." You could see exactly how your page would look on the screen before printing.
Later in 1985, two important things happened. Apple released the Apple LaserWriter printer. This printer could print high-quality pages. Then, Aldus Corporation introduced Adobe PageMaker software. PageMaker quickly became the most popular DTP program.
From Typewriters to Digital Design
Before DTP, most people used typewriters. Typewriters could only print text in a few basic styles. They didn't offer many choices for fonts or sizes. You couldn't easily add pictures or change the layout much.
DTP changed everything. You could now design pages on your screen. Then, you could print them with clear text and graphics. This was a huge step forward for printing and computers. Newspapers and other publications quickly started using DTP programs.
The Name "Desktop Publishing"
The name "desktop publishing" came from Paul Brainerd. He was the founder of Aldus Corporation. He wanted a catchy phrase to describe this new, affordable software. It was much cheaper than the big, expensive machines used for professional printing back then.
Adobe Systems also created important technologies. These helped make professional DTP programs possible. Even though Apple Macintosh computers were popular for DTP, Ventura Publisher came out in 1986 for MS-DOS computers. While PageMaker was like arranging things on a pasteboard, Ventura Publisher used style sheets. Style sheets helped automate the layout. This made it great for long documents like manuals.
In its early days, DTP sometimes got a bad name. This was because untrained people created messy designs. But many people learned to use it well. They made truly professional-looking documents.
Understanding DTP Terms
Types of Pages in DTP
In desktop publishing, there are two main types of pages. These are electronic pages and virtual paper pages.
- Electronic pages are digital. They are only limited by your computer's memory. A web page is a good example. It can change size and its content can rearrange itself.
- Virtual paper pages are designed to be printed. They have specific sizes, like A4 or Letter. These sizes match real paper sizes. Some DTP programs let you create very large pages. These are for things like posters or billboards. A virtual page for printing looks like the final printed page on your screen.
Designing Your Pages
Master pages are like templates. They help you automatically add elements to many pages. For example, a master page can put page numbers or a company logo on every page. If you change something on the master page, it updates on all the pages that use it.
Page layout is the process of arranging everything on your page. This includes text, pictures, and other design elements. You want them to look neat and appealing.
- Text can be typed directly into the program. It can also be brought in from other files.
- Images can be linked from outside files. This means you can edit the original image, and it updates in your DTP document. Some images can be created or changed right inside the DTP program.
You can also add graphic design styles. These include colors, transparency, and special effects. Typography styles control how text looks. This includes fonts, sizes, and spacing. You can apply these styles automatically using style sheets. Images can also have styles. These might include borders, colors, or how text flows around them (called "wraparound").
DTP vs. Other Programs
DTP and Word Processors
In the past, DTP software was very different from word processing programs. Early word processors like WordPerfect were mostly for typing text. They had very few design options. DTP software, on the other hand, was all about page design.
Today, the difference is not as clear. Modern word processors have many design features. They can do some things that only DTP programs used to do. But DTP software still offers more advanced tools for professional printing.
DTP and Other Layout Software
The main difference between DTP and other electronic typesetting software is how you see your work. DTP is usually WYSIWYG. You see your design as you create it. Other typesetting software might require you to type special codes. You don't see the final look until you process the codes.
While DTP is more user-friendly, code-based systems are good for very consistent layouts. This is useful for things like scientific papers or company newsletters.
There is also some overlap between DTP and designing for the internet. Many programs used for web design work similarly to DTP programs. They let you drag and drop elements to create a page.
Popular DTP Programs
Here are some well-known desktop publishing applications:
- Adobe FrameMaker
- Adobe PageMaker
- Adobe HomePublisher
- Corel Ventura
- iStudio Publisher
- Microsoft Office Publisher
- OpenOffice.org
- QuarkXPress
- Ready,Set,Go
Related topics
Images for kids
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Scribus, an open source desktop publishing application
See also
In Spanish: Autoedición para niños
