Document creation and formatting · Computer Application

Desktop publishing

Desktop publishing (DTP) is the creation of documents with a careful layout of text and graphics: newsletters, posters, brochures, magazines, certificates, business cards and stationery. Software includes Microsoft Publisher, Adobe InDesign, Canva and Scribus. DTP programs give more control over layout than word processors.

Document creation and layout

A DTP page is built from frames (boxes) that hold text or pictures, placed on guides and columns that line up the content. Set the page size, margins and columns, then place the master page items (page numbers, logo). Text can flow from one frame to another.

Images, graphics and design elements

Images may be bitmap (raster) made of pixels (photographs, JPEG, PNG), which lose quality when enlarged, or vector made of lines and curves (logos, SVG), which stay sharp at any size. Resolution is measured in dpi: 72–96 dpi for the screen and 300 dpi for good printing.

To print a photograph 6 inches wide at 300 dpi you need 1 800 pixels across.

Typography and fonts

Term	Meaning
Serif font	Has small strokes on letters (Times New Roman): good for long text
Sans-serif font	Plain letters (Arial, Calibri): clear on screens and headings
Font size	Measured in points (pt); body 10–12 pt
Leading	Space between lines
Kerning	Space between pairs of letters
Alignment	Left, centre, right, justified

Use no more than two or three fonts, keep a clear hierarchy (title, heading, body), and use colours with good contrast.

Business cards and stationery

A business card (about 90 × 55 mm) shows the name, job, phone number, email and logo. Stationery includes letterheads, envelopes, invoices and compliment slips with the same logo, colours and fonts, which gives a consistent brand. Allow a bleed of about 3 mm and keep text inside the safe margin.

The wider the print, the more pixels are needed.

Try itImage resolution

Choose the width of the print and the resolution.

Check yourself Vector graphics

Check yourself A good resolution for printing is about

Check yourself A sans-serif font is

Key terms

DTP: Desktop publishing: page layout with text and graphics.
Bitmap: A picture made of pixels.
dpi: Dots per inch, a measure of resolution.
Bleed: Extra background that goes beyond the cut edge.

Summary

DTP arranges text and graphics in frames on pages.
Bitmap images are made of pixels; vector images stay sharp when enlarged.
Use 300 dpi for printing and no more than two or three fonts.
Business cards and stationery should share a brand.