Choosing Desktop Publishing Small Business Software
A Home Business Article Contributed by Sharon Hill
Buying Desktop Publishing Small Business Software
Desktop publishing small business software programs (also referred to as DPT's) would be used by you in your small business to integrate text and images into documents for the production and dissemination of printed products (marketing pieces, for instance) that look professional.
DPT Versus Word Processing Software For Your Small Business
The reason you would purchase a desktop publishing program when you already have word processing software for your small business is that desktop publishing software offers more sophisticated, classier spacing, hyphenation, color and typography option. Typically, DTP programs have more sophisticated spacing, color, hyphenation and typography options.
If your small business needs the top of the line desktop publishing program (obviously if your small business is going to offer desktop publishing you would, but if you're going to repair shoes but sometimes need to produce direct mail marketing pieces you wouldn't, ) then you'll want to purchase Adobe PageMaker or QuarkXpress (if you own a Mac.) If you're going to, for instance, do typesetting you've got to have Adobe. Don't scrimp here.
Being able to get away with a clone or less sophisticated small business desktop publishing software program will save you literally hundreds of dollars, although Adobe isn't necessarily exorbitant. This popular manufacturer offers a suite of small business desktop publishing programs that package PageMaker, Photoshop and others, which you can get as inexpensively as $1, 000.
Some less costly but reputable, popular programs include Microsoft Publisher, Press Writer, My Advanced Brochures, and Sierra Print Artist. Microsoft Publisher is especially easy to teach yourself. These programs, as well as more basic ones, are also going to require less RAM and hard disk space than either QuarkXpress or Adobe PageMaker.
Keep in mind that no matter which desktop publishing program you choose you will be looking at an expense of at least $500.
As with any other small business software purchase your first two resources are personal recommendations from friends, family and business colleagues, and then professional reviewer resources online as well as in print - CDNet and Znet, and PC World and other print computer magazines. Other useful magazines include Business Software News, Byte, Computer Life and the free online publication Computer Publisher which is free to the computer graphics community.
As you find possible choices from various manufacturers go to each manufacturer's site and download demo versions of the programs you are considering, if they're available. Give them a decent try - whatever is allowed. Typically you'll have thirty days to try before buying.
Basic Features You'll Want in Your Small Business Desktop Publishing Software
If purchasing a more basic program, make sure you get a variety of templates for business documents such as brochures, business cards, envelopes, labels, letterheads, labels, newsletters, and so forth. You may also want to create banners, greeting cards, reports, stationery, posters - even greeting cards and calendars as promotional pieces.
Look at graphics capability and quality - variety and quality of fonts and graphics and clip art including stock photos.
Does the program offer a good spell checker and thesaurus?
