Designing your own publications

Choosing a platform
Fonts
Selecting software
Images
Ink
Paper
Rules for ordering printing
Writing specifications for print bids
Preparing files for a commercial printer
Additional resources

Selecting page layout software

Software to avoid

If you plan to send your files to a commercial printer, you should avoid using either Microsoft's Publisher or CorelDraw—these are both largely incompatible with commercial printers' systems and/or highly difficult for them to use.

Best page-layout software

The top two choices for page-layout software are QuarkXPress and Adobe’s InDesign.

Many printers prefer QuarkXPress, but a few prefer InDesign. Many designers believe that QuarkXPress is a safer bet than InDesign, in terms of getting the results you want from a commercial printer. However, the industry is changing very rapidly, and the wisest course of action is to discuss the job as thoroughly as possible with your printer before sending it to them.

If you'd like a more detailed, technical description of the pros and cons of each software package, we've compiled a Quark vs. InDesign page.

Best image-editing software

Adobe Photoshop is the print industry standard.

Training available on campus

See the Training Calendar from Fast3, the on-campus Faculty and Staff Technology Training Team.

More resources

Sign up for the InDesign Talk listserv

Check out Adobe's User to User forums

Read the official Quark Forums

Join the unofficial QuarkXPress listserv

Don’t see your question answered? Let us know.