What Are The Best Programs For Desktop Publishing? - Virtual Assistant Forums

MichelleJ · #1 (**permalink**) 01-30-2010

I absolutely love to create things, but I have not focused on offering this type of service. I was wondering what the best programs are out there for desktop publishing. I love creating flyers, business cards, labels, and so forth.

I have a pretty good color laser I'd like to put to better use, too.

Would love opinions!

Thank you all!

dognose · #2 (**permalink**) 01-30-2010

Many, many years ago I did DTP. I used both Quark & PageMaker. I just Googled DTP software & I see that they are both still available. (My software is so old, it's on floppy disks!) I also see there are some free & very low priced packages. When I recall how much I paid for DTP all those years ago, I wonder what the difference is between the low end packages & the high end ones.

Thanks for asking Michelle. I'll be checking back to see what others suggest.

BTW, what kind of color laser do you have? I have a Dell & I absolutely love it!!

Lezly

MichelleJ · #3 (**permalink**) 02-05-2010

Thank you for your response, Lezly (and my apologies for the late reply)!

I have a PrintShop program I use - along with Microsoft Publisher. I just thought it would be fun for me to try to expand some creativity and try some more updated programs that are out there.

I bet that Dell is fabulous! Mine is actually an older color laser - it's a HP Color LaserJet 2600n, but it has always printed VERY well. Hopefully it still will! LOL

NMVA1 · #4 (**permalink**) 02-09-2010

I use a PrintShop program. I have used PrintShop for a very long time and it gets the job done well. It is easy to use and works well with other programs.

MichelleJ · #5 (**permalink**) 02-09-2010

I have PrintShop Deluxe. I really do enjoy working with it. It's fun. I think I could use an upgrade, though.

Thank you for your response, NMVA1!

ParadiseLegal · #6 (**permalink**) 02-09-2010

I use MS Publisher and Adobe Photoshop. My husband is a pro graphic designer and uses Quark Express.

MichelleJ · #7 (**permalink**) 02-09-2010

Wow! Your husband has a great job, Shellye!

Thank you for your input!

ParadiseLegal · #8 (**permalink**) 02-09-2010

You're welcome. He absolutely loves it! He's a publisher of a Sports & Entertainment newspaper he created from scratch!! So, if anyone has any major design projects that you need to refer, please don't hesitate to let me know and I'll pass it on to him. He will be happy to pay a referral fee depending on the cost of the project!!

MichelleJ · #9 (**permalink**) 02-09-2010

That is awesome, Shellye!! How fabulous for him!

JKVirtualOffice · #10 (**permalink**) 02-11-2010

I use Microsoft Publisher and Adobe Photoshop Elements. I don't do a lot of publishing work so these programs seem to do the trick for me. I know many others who also like to use Adobe Illustrator.

leedrozak · #11 (**permalink**) 02-11-2010

I use Publisher and Adobe Photoshop however I don't do much desktop publishing. These programs work for me and if I need something more complex, I sub it out.

confidentialsec · #12 (**permalink**) 02-28-2010

MS Publisher does the trick for me and I love the fact that you can easily save all or part of the project as a picture when you have the need to. I haven't tried anything else.

MichelleJ · #13 (**permalink**) 02-28-2010

Thank you, ladies. I guess I am pretty good with the programs I have now. Again, I appreciate all of the feedback.

Have a wonderful day!

Action Jackson VA · #14 (**permalink**) 02-28-2010

Hi Michelle,

I use MS Publisher, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, and Adobe Photoshop. They are all great programs and depending on what a client needs I have the programs to do the job right

I use Publisher for The Virtual Entrepreneur ezine and then convert it to Adobe PDF. So, it is more like a magazine lol

Quark Express is another great tool that I use, but I have been asked for Illustrator more than Quark.

Take care,
Andrea~