Desktop publishing software has revolutionized the world of printing, graphics design, and publishing. With the availability of many options, it can take time to determine which one is best suited for your needs. This article will examine 10 of the best desktop publishing software options available.
Best Desktop Publishing Software
1. Adobe InDesign
Adobe InDesign is an industry-standard desktop publishing software. It is suitable for creating print and digital media, including books, magazines, and brochures. With InDesign, you can create multi-page layouts, adjust typography, and import graphics. InDesign offers a range of advanced features, such as object styles, data merge, and GREP find/replace, which make it an ideal choice for professional designers.
2. Microsoft Publisher
Microsoft Publisher is a user-friendly desktop publishing software offering various features. It is suitable for creating marketing materials, such as brochures, flyers, and newsletters. With Publisher, you can easily create professional-looking layouts thanks to its drag-and-drop interface and built-in templates. The Publisher also can integrate with other Microsoft Office applications, making it a convenient option for those who use Microsoft products regularly.
3. QuarkXPress
QuarkXPress is another professional-grade desktop publishing software that offers a range of features. It is known for its advanced typography and layout tools, which make it an ideal choice for creating complex designs. QuarkXPress offers a range of features, such as dynamic guides, grids, and tables, which make it easy to create detailed designs. The software also can export layouts to various file formats, making it an ideal choice for those who work with multiple platforms.
3. Scribus
Scribus is an open-source desktop publishing software that is available for free. It is suitable for creating various printed materials, including flyers, brochures, and newsletters. With Scribus, you can create professional-looking layouts, add text and graphics, and export files to various formats. Scribus offers a range of advanced features, such as ICC color management, PDF creation, and scripting, which make it an ideal choice for professional designers.
4. Affinity Publisher
Affinity Publisher is a professional-grade desktop publishing software offering various features. It is known for its advanced typography and layout tools, which make it an ideal choice for creating complex designs.
Affinity Publisher offers a range of features, such as object styles, master pages, and text wrapping, which make it easy to create detailed designs. The software also can import files from other Affinity applications, making it a convenient option for those who use other Affinity products regularly.
5. Lucidpress
Lucidpress is a cloud-based desktop publishing software suitable for creating various printed materials, including brochures, flyers, and newsletters. With Lucidpress, you can create professional-looking layouts, add text and graphics, and collaborate with others in real time.
Lucidpress offers a range of advanced features, such as automatic image resizing, custom templates, and social media integrations, which make it an ideal choice for small businesses and startups.
6. CorelDRAW
CorelDRAW is a vector graphics editor that is also suitable for desktop publishing. It offers a range of features, including advanced typography and layout tools, which make it an ideal choice for creating complex designs.
CorelDRAW offers a range of features, such as bitmap-to-vector tracing, page layout, and font management, which make it easy to create detailed designs. The software also can export files to various formats, making it an ideal choice for those working with multiple platforms.
7. VivaDesigner
VivaDesigner is a desktop publishing software that offers a range of features, including advanced typography and layout tools, which make it an ideal choice for creating complex designs. It is suitable for creating print and digital media, including books, magazines, and brochures.
The software also can import and export files to various file formats, making it an ideal choice for those who work with multiple platforms. One unique feature of VivaDesigner is its integration with XMPie, a software allowing personalized marketing and variable data publishing. This makes it a powerful tool for those in the marketing and advertising industries.
8. PrintShop
PrintShop is a desktop publishing software suitable for creating a wide range of printed materials, including brochures, flyers, invitations, and more. It offers a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for users to create professional-looking designs.
It also offers features such as image editing, text effects, and layout tools, making it easy to customize designs. One of the unique features of PrintShop is its integration with social media platforms. Users can easily create designs for Facebook, Instagram, and other social media platforms and share them directly from the software.
9. iStudio Publisher
iStudio Publisher is a desktop publishing software suitable for creating professional-looking designs for print and digital media. It offers a range of features, including page layout tools, typography options, and image editing tools, which make it an ideal choice for creating complex designs.
It also offers a range of templates and graphics that can be used to create a wide range of designs, including brochures, flyers, and more. iStudio Publisher is also compatible with various file formats, including PDF, JPG, and PNG, making it easy to export designs to other platforms or print shops. Overall, iStudio Publisher is a reliable and versatile desktop publishing software suitable for beginners and professionals needing a powerful tool for their publishing needs.
10. PagePlus
PagePlus is a desktop publishing software application developed by Serif. It allows users to create various printed and digital documents, such as flyers, brochures, newsletters, and ebooks. The software offers various tools for designing, layout, typography, and image editing. Users can also import and export files in various formats, including PDF, Microsoft Office, and Adobe InDesign. PagePlus was first released in 1990, and its latest version, PagePlus X9, was released in 2016. However, Serif has since discontinued PagePlus and is now focusing on its successor, Affinity Publisher, a more modern desktop publishing software.
Conclusion
In Conclusion, Desktop publishing software is used to design, layout, and publish various printed and digital documents. Some popular desktop publishing software programs include Adobe InDesign, QuarkXPress, Affinity Publisher, and Microsoft Publisher. Each software offers different capabilities, features, and levels of complexity, making it essential for users to choose the one that best suits their needs and skill level. Ultimately, desktop publishing software can significantly improve the efficiency and quality of document creation, making it an essential tool for professionals in various industries.