General Considerations

• Determine your needs and how you propose to use the DTP programs. Don't buy a complicated program if you won't take advantage of it.
• CHECK reviews in computer magazines and on the Internet to narrow your choices.
• Download demo versions from manufacturers' Web sites to try specific programs.
• Consider using an advanced word-processing program for basic needs.
• BASE your choice of software on your output device. If you will not be outputting to a PostScript printer or sending a file to a service bureau, get an amateur program.
• Consider popular programs such as Microsoft Publisher, My Advanced Brochures, Press Writer, Broderbund Print Shop and Sierra Print Artist.

Considerations for Basic Programs

• Look for a variety of TEMPLATES for business documents such as brochures, business cards, certificates, envelopes, labels, letterhead, menus, newsletters and résumés.
• Look for a variety of templates for home-use PROJECTS such as banners, calendars, greeting cards, posters, reports and stationery.
• Compare the quantity and quality of included fonts, graphics, stock photos and clip art.
• Compare word-processing features, such as a spell checker and thesaurus.

Considerations for Professional Programs

• Take a class before attempting to use professional programs such as QuarkXPress, FrameMaker, Adobe PageMaker or Corel Ventura.
• Find out which program your service bureau PREFERS, if you will be working with a service bureau.
• Choose PageMaker for relative ease-of-use and integration with other Adobe products.
• Choose QuarkXPress for long documents, typesetting, and sophisticated trapping and color separations.
• Choose FrameMaker for book-integration features.

General Considerations

Considerations for Basic Programs

Considerations for Professional Programs