DTP Theory Notes
What is Desktop Publishing? Desktop Publishing (DTP) is the process of using software to create different publications, e.g, magazines, brochures, posters, booklets,newspapers. Who makes up the Design Team? The publication is designed by the Graphic Designer, produced by the Printing Industry, and printed by the Publishing Industry. Benefits of DTP to designers Some benefits to the designer of DTP software are: Images can be edited and manipulated easily Visuals can be sent electronically to client Modifications can be made easily and quickly Can work from home Communication between Designer, Client and printing company can be done easily using email Benefits of DTP to Graphic Industry Some benefits to the Graphic Industry of DTP software are: Texts and Graphics can be imported electronically Time it takes to design and publish a document is much less. Layouts can be constructed accurately using girds, frames etc Files can be sent electronically by email Modifications can be made quickly and easily
DTP Terms Drop Shadow Header Heading Header Space Sub-heading Drop Capital White Space Left Aligned Text Left Margin Column Right Margin Gutter Bleed Graphic Caption Footer Space Column width Footer
DTP Terms DTP Term Bitmap Bleed Body Text Caption Clip Art Column Cropping Drop Capital Drop Shadow Colour Picker Footer Footer space Frames Graphic Grid Guidelines Gutter Handles Header Header space Headline/ Heading Import/Export Jpeg Margin Mirror Portable Network Graphic (PNG) Point Size Description / Definition An image file comprised of pixels. These tend to be large files An extension of a graphic that goes beyond the boundary of the page. Only the area on the page is printed The main blocks of text on a page A brief description that is placed beside a graphic to give more information Ready made graphics that are stored in a library/ gallery The width of the frame of a body of text. Trimming of excess area on an image to leave the area required. An enlarged first letter of an article. Used to identify the start of an article An object crated behind an image or text to create emphasis or give depth to the image. A DTP tool that allows you to pick a colour from an object to help match to another Information given at the bottom of a page The space at the bottom of a page Boxes that contain a graphic or imave. The box is not printed on the hard copy. The boxes can be rotated, moved or resized. An image or illustration used in publications Usually lines, squares or dots, that aids accurate positioning of objects Lines placed on the page fromt he top to help construct your layout. The narrow space between 2 columns of text The small squares attached to frames that allows manipulation on an object Information at the top of a page The space above the title or heading Text that introduces the article/page. This is usually in a large font Used to send digital graphics A file type for photographs. File sizes are usually small The white space around the outside of a page Used to crate a symmetrical image A file type that allos the background to be transparent Font size, e.g 12pt, 16pt etc
DTP Term Reverse Snap Sub Heading Text Alignment Text along a path Text wrap Transparancy Vector Graphic Description / Definition When white text is placed on a dark background. Instead of black text on a white background When the cursor attaches to a grid point, this improves accuracy. An intermediate heading. Placed between the heading and text. The way text is arranged. This can be left, right, centred or fully justified. Text that travels in the same direction as a curve/line, define by the user When text follows around the outline of a graphic Making fills/images partially see-through A scalable computer graphic made up of shapes and lines.
DTP Features You can create exciting publications with good visual impact if you use the features of your DTP software. You need to be familiar with, and be able to use the following functions: Grid Fonts Text wrap Text along a path Bleed Transparency Drop shadow Revere Mirror Import/Export Rotate Colour fill
Layers Layers allow you to work on separate areas Of the publication, without it effecting others Your layers could be built up as follows: Layer 1: Grid Structure Layer 2: Text Layer 3: Images Layer 4: Background Grids Before adding any graphics or text to a page the layout should be prepared on a grid. Oten this used 5mm spaces. by activating a snap-to-grid function it means each feature on your page can be positioned accurately Grid Lines Grid Lines allow you accurately position items on your page. The gridlines are put in place by pulling areas in from the top and the side of the page.
Fonts Choosing the correct font in a layout of a publication can be vital in Grabbing the attention of the target audience. Your choice of font will be Dictated by your target market. Fonts fall into 2 main groups Serif Serif fonts are based on an old typeface and give a traditional look. These Are often used to give a foraml look to a publication. These are often used In blocks of texts, as they are easy to read. Typical Serif fonts include: Bookman Old Style Garamond Lucida Bright Rockwell Times New Roman The second font group is Sans Serif These fonts dont have flicks at the end of them. These are used to give a Publication a modern, elegant feel. These are often used in headings and Titles. Typical Sans Serif fonts include: Basic Sans Light SF Calibri Goudita Sans Light Verdana
Text Wrap When you alter your text to make it wrap around an image Text Along a Path This is when a line or shape is drawn and used as a path for your text to Follow. You can create any shape and this can make for a more Interesting design, drawings the readers attention. Bleed This is a graphic that goes beyond the Boundary of a page. Only the area on the page is printed Transparency When you make an image/block Of colour see-through so that you Can see anything positioned behind it.
Rotate Drop Shadow When you add a shadow behind/below An object to add emphasis and depth. Reverse This is when you create white text on a Black or dark background. Reverse Effect Rotate When you alter your text or image By rotating it at an angle. This can Often be done using a grab handle on the object. Rotate Rotate Colour Fill When an object is filled with colour, this can be plain, linear, gradient, textured etc. Colour fills can lift a layout if used effectively. Colour fill can support the message of the layout and help connect with the target audience..
DTP Planning and Production Thumbnails A variety of quick sketches which show a basic visual layout of the proposed idea. Thumbnails should have splashes of colour schemes and Annotation. Working Rough A sketched version of the final product, This should be annotated and contain information on images to be used, text etc. This would be the Final proposal shown to the client before it is produced. Visual An accurately drawn version of the final DTP proposal to aid the computer generation of the document. This should have accurate notes on sizes, font, position of images, sizes of images etc.