Desktop Publishing

Desktop publishing (DTP) is the process of using computer hardware and software productivity tools to create high-quality, printed documents. Innovations and price reductions in computer hardware and software have dramatically influenced the communication environment, affecting every aspect of the production processes in the newspaper, magazine, advertising, and public relations businesses.

A desktop publishing system includes a computer, layout software, and a printer, but can also be supplemented by scanners, digital cameras, and image and graphic creation software. Documents are created digitally on a computer and either printed on a home computer or saved to a file that can be printed and duplicated at a professional print shop. The widespread availability of desktop publishing tools has greatly increased the ability to develop and publish professional-looking brochures, advertisements, newsletters, and even books. Additionally, desktop publishing systems can create signage, package designs, promotional items, newspapers and magazines, and other printed materials. Companies that once outsourced these activities to professional design or branding firms can now perform these functions in-house.

The phrase “desktop publishing” is most often used to describe the type of software used in a personal publishing system, but is also referred to as “personal publishing,” “computer-aided publishing,” “electronic page assembly,” or “electronic publishing.” Contemporary desktop publishing software uses the WYSIWYG (pronounced whizzy-wig)—or What You See Is What You Get—concept that allows the user to see on the computer screen how the output will appear on the printed page. DTP systems allow the user to control layout, typography, color, design, illustrations, photos, and graphics that appear on the page. In addition, professional typesetting functions such as kerning (placing space between text), leading (establishing line spacing), curved and wrapped text, and ligatures (joining two or more letter forms) can now be accomplished with a personal desktop publishing system.