Desktop publishing: Just starting out....
Just starting out....
by jjweyer - 1/21/05 11:06 AMI am starting my own business and would like to publish/print fylers, mailers, newsletter, e-postcards, etc. to advertise and keep contact with customers.
I am very comfortable using most software, but have never done this type of work.
I would very much appreciate recommendations on what software to use.
Thanks!!
Just starting out....
by Jamn - 1/26/05 6:48 PM In reply to: Just starting out.... by jjweyerThere are many software titles that will do desktop publishing but the one I use almost exclusively is Microsoft Publisher since it is fully integrated with MS Office. A customer database created using Word can also be used in mail merge using Publisher. I do flyers, brochures, business cards, etc. with Publisher and am pleased with what it can do. Also, the clipart available in MS Word is also available in any MS Office product like Publisher. If you Google "microsoft publisher" you get 8,000,000 hits. Kinda says something for its popularity.
Thanks
by jjweyer - 1/31/05 6:57 AM In reply to: Just starting out.... by JamnThanks Jamn!
Would I then convert those same documents to pdf files for email and web application?
PDF files
by Jamn - 2/2/05 11:55 AM In reply to: Thanks by jjweyerYou could very easily create PDF files from just about anything using CutePDF available at www.download.com. It installs as a printer driver so that when you are done creating the document whatever application you choose and click 'File' 'Print', change the printer from your default printer to CutePDF. This will create the PDF file that can then be saved and used to your liking. Have fun.
Software choice depends on how you will print
by Pixelish - 2/3/05 5:56 AM In reply to: Just starting out.... by jjweyerI have been a self-employed graphic designer for the past 22 years. I would be glad to help you with software choices - but I would need to know several things.
1) What kind of printer (laser or ink jet) will you be outputting to?
2. Will you be using a professional printer to reproduce your jobs or using a Photocopier/DocuTec?
3. Will you be doing spot color jobs?
4. Will you be doing process color jobs?
Thanks for the input
by jjweyer - 2/4/05 6:01 AM In reply to: Software choice depends on how you will print by PixelishPixelish:
I will be printing on my own color inkjet. I am just starting out in Real Estate sales and cost is a major concern unfortunately.
Outputting to Color Inkjet
by Pixelish - 2/7/05 5:25 AM In reply to: Thanks for the input by jjweyerThis is what you need to know about ouputting to a color inkjet.
What you create on screen and what you print out in color, will not necessarily be able to be reproduced in color. There is a lot to understand about color jobs - spot color vs process color. Just be aware before you frustrate yourself that quite often documents created by someone just starting out or in an office setting - that look great in color - can only be reproduced by color photocopying - which is about $1.00 a sheet (not cheap by anyone's standards).
I would suggest that if you're just starting out, to stick to one color jobs. Black and white or grayscale. You can have them printed in color ink on color paper. You should also know that an injket will NOT produce "camera ready" copy if it has photos or screens in it. When the printer makes plates from camera ready copy - the camera needs to be able to pick up the dot pattern in screens and photos. The dot pattern made by inkjet printers is a dithered pattern and can not be picked up by the camera. How do you get around this ? There are two ways. One is to put your job on disk and take it to Kinkos or some other such place and output your job to a laser printer. Lasers make their screens in dot patterns (like a newspaper photo). The other is to put it on disk and take it to the printer to have them "rip film". This will take your job and put it directly on a negative - it costs about $14 a sheet (piece of film) but provides the best quality you can get.
Now for the issue of software. If you plan on taking anything at all to a printer on disk - you are probably going to want to use Publisher at a minimum. Be aware that most commercial printers loath this software - but they will usually accept a Publisher file (they may ask you to make it into a PDF file first). The problem with Publisher is that it isn't a "postscript" application. Depending on the device the file is output to - the type on the page "walks." The software assumes the margins and settings of the output device. Microsoft Word works the same way. What you put on page one and print out on your inkjet printer - may end up on page two when printed out on another printer. Quark Xpress or QXD are the preferred software in the industry. InDesign is gaining followers because it is packaged so attractively with Photoshop and Illustrator. Adobe isn't pushing Pagemaker so much anymore, but also cheaper than Quark.
Your local community college probably offers classes in Desktop publishing using one of these 2 pieces of software. Until you have a full understanding of image resolution, line screens, color separations, etc. I would stay away from color. You will find that most commercial printers are unsympathetic these days to customers who have major mistakes in their files which prevent them from being output. I charge $60 an hour to fix such nightmares. So, if you want to make any money in this business (and you can) educate yourself.
The analogy I use frequently with customers who bring me jobs on file (color files especially) is (1) Can you check the oil in your car? - Most will say yes. (2) Would you then decide based on your ability to check your oil that you could rebuild your engine? - Most will say no. That is the leap in understanding that is needed between being to output to a color inkjet and making a quality outputtable pre-press file.
I wish you the best of luck! Take it slowly, don't get in over your head, educate yourself. The quickest way to loose a customer is to promise them something you cannot deliver.
Pagemaker
by Robert Polk - 3/20/05 6:16 AM In reply to: Outputting to Color Inkjet by PixelishYou're right. I haven't seen much mention of PageMaker for the past several years. But I'd like to put a plug in for Serif. It's been around for years and the latest several versions will produce PDF files that keeps printers happy. The latest version is 10.3 and ver 9.0 is available for as little as $49. Just go to Serif.com.
Bob
PDF FILES
by Pixelish - 3/21/05 8:34 AM In reply to: Pagemaker by Robert PolkIn 20 years of business - I have never run across Serif - of course, I live on a Mac, so that could explain it! I have seen you recommend this software several times - I think I'll check it out on my PC.
PDF files are wonderful and easy to work with on the pre-press end. We do run into problems about 1/2 the time with PDF files we receive from customers - mostly due to the way the file was created or saved. Most of the problems are because the consumer does not know how to use all the settings in their particular piece of software.
These are typical problems we encounter in order or occurrence:
1) The file is created in full color - but is only going to be printed in one color. All the colors output as grayscale - usually including black.
2) The file needs to be spot color separated - and the pdf file is not saved as a color separated file. A non separated PDF file can only be printed in Process Color ($$$$$$$$) or grayscale.
3) The default in many applications is to save the PDF file as RGB and needs to be changed to Black and White for a 1 color document. Even black type (like a document) saved in an RGB file will pixelate - as it is the equivalent of grayscale.
Of course, our shop creates jobs that mostly go on a printing press. The above parameters can be thrown out the window if you're photocopying!
Pixelish
by taboma. - 3/27/05 11:20 PM In reply to: Outputting to Color Inkjet by PixelishGreat post for anyone interested.
I agree that MS Publisher is the worst.
Why not use MS Word in place of Publisher using a PC and just starting out?
You and I prefer Quark Express. Not everyone can afford a high-end publishing software program like that. What is the best to use on a budget? Stay with Word? Stay away from Publisher?
Kevin
If Word will do, then Open Office will do.
by R. Proffitt
- 3/28/05 4:33 AM
In reply to: Pixelish by taboma.
Try http://www.openoffice.org I'm using the latest and it's very nice.
Others have noted Free Serif Software as well. I have not tried that yet. Try www.freeserifsoftware.com
Bob
Word vs Publisher
by Pixelish - 3/28/05 9:01 AM In reply to: Pixelish by taboma.Kevin,
It would be wonderful if everyone could afford Quark! Would make my life so much easier, lol!
For someone just starting out in the business, working on a PC and on a shoestring budget (less than $1,000), I would recommend the following:
PUBLISHER - $169 to $199 (depending on version)
I believe that Publisher (I can't believe I'm saying this) is a better choice than Word for the simple reason that Word will NOT spot color separate. Publisher also allows for the placement of eps artwork. Additionally, the "pack and go" feature does give the user the ability without having the knowledge to send a printer or pre-press shop everything they need to properly output the job (images, fonts, etc). I do not know if the newest version of Publisher allows you to export color separate PDF files - but that would be the best way to send a job out.
Besides not being postscript, one of the biggest limitations I see in either of these 2 pieces of software for the novice is their inability to link to images. All the image information is stored in the document. For files with multiple photos the document becomes so large that it is difficult to manipulate as it gobbles up ram.
A POSTSCRIPT MONOCHROME LASER PRINTER - $400 to $500
A $170 monochrome laser printer is NOT going to be postscript. Don't waste your money buying a non-postscript printer - it's a mistake, trust me. With a monochrome printer (black and white) you can output camera-ready copy including photos and screens. Samsung and Brother make some very affordable models. Use at least 24 lb. bright white paper to output to. Hammermill Laser Print is a good choice.
SCANNER $160 to $200
Epson makes some great little scanners for around $160. Most scanners come with photo-manipulating software. Look for a scanner that is packaged with Photoshop Elements software.
Now that I've said all that - I would highly recommend anyone just starting out to look at the EDUCATIONAL DISCOUNTS offered by vendors selling ADOBE software. Do you have or know of a college or high school student? With an Educational Discount and $400 you can buy the entire Adobe Creative Suites software package. You can sometimes order the software directly off a local community college's bookstore website. Creative Suites is vastly superior to Publisher (aka Punisher).
Outputting
by taboma. - 4/10/05 6:26 PM In reply to: Outputting to Color Inkjet by PixelishKaren, Thanks for your wake-up-call using spot color in Illustrator. Haven’t used spot color in five years with Illustrator. Deal mostly with cmyk right now. You are right-on having certain files as spot color in Illustrator V/S Photoshop’s cmyk.
I am not sure how our rips are set up, yet all the cmyk files in Photoshop and Illustrator are broken down to spot color when called for.
If I selected red as a spot color in a file, and the page called for blue to be printed, than the press would print the file in blue. Do not know how they do that.
I look forward to all your posts.
Kevin
which ones are best for...
by graceo - 3/4/05 3:20 PM In reply to: Software choice depends on how you will print by Pixelish...professional publishing?
...print-on-demand-publishing?
Politics and posturing.
by R. Proffitt - 3/4/05 3:29 PM
In reply to: which ones are best for... by graceo
Frankly, such is a morass of posturing and politics.
At the office we use Open Office for manuals for our products. And the output can be stunning when sent to the Canon or Fiery postscript printers.
I think it's more the artist than the tools.
Bob
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