PC Based Publishing Software

[shorty0814]

I am a marketing person, who has spent the last year working with a graphic designer to learn how to do simple postcards, direct mailings, brochures, etc. However, I am by no means have the training of graphics designer. Anyway, I started with a new company that would like me to start putting together marketing materials, this is a new position, so all their materials are in Word or PowerPoint. It is a PC based company. I am running into issues because I am supposed to select a desktop publishing software for my computer. At my old place of employment I was on a MAC using Photoshop CS2, Quark Express, and Illustrator. I don't feel that my level of experience and for what they would like me to do I should tell them to invest in a MAC and the high priced software. However, I need something that is going to allow me a little flexablity without the high price. I am open for suggestions..........I was currently looking at Publisher and Page Maker. Also, if I did get a PC based program and developed pdf files for printing purposes, will a printing company accept them? Thanks for your help!

[jimking]

Tell them you need the Adobe Suite which comes with Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign. Also, Acrobat Professional and a font utility program. I'm a Mac guy myself but a good pc will do fine. Check to see if the pc you have now can handle the software. Steer them away from sticking you with Word and such and don't compromise and choose Publisher and PageMaker.

[MrMook]

Get the CS2 suite. It may seem pricey, but if you're running a business, there's no excuse for hobbling along with Word. Word is the clunkiest, least design-oriented program in existence. Its great for spell checking. Thats it.

PC/Mac compatiability is hardly an issue anymore in the desktop publishing world. Adobe has essentially monopolized the whole operation, which actually makes things easier. Its rare (but still possible) to find a printer who cannot accept native Adobe files, or, at the very least, a press-ready PDF.

I'm sure other people have different thoughts on this, but this has been my experience so far. I imagine you will find most designers prefer the Adobe suite over Quark, or Pagemaker, and aside from some shortcut key differences, the programs are identical from Mac to PC.

-MrMook

[budafist]

The question here is do you want to invest your money in good design software skills? Adobe CS2 suite is wonderful, but you need to learn how to use it or it will be useless.

I work at a printers and I am given files on a daily basis from business owners that buy cheap software to create their designs in. Software in the right hands might do the job. But unless you know exactly how to set up jobs for print, they will cause your printer to either tear out their hair or have an early death.

[doubting_thomas]

I hope my early death comes on a Monday and not a Friday ;)

[Ned]

At my old place of employment I was on a MAC using Photoshop CS2, Quark Express, and Illustrator. I don't feel that my level of experience and for what they would like me to do I should tell them to invest in a MAC and the high priced software. However, I need something that is going to allow me a little flexablity without the high price. I am open for suggestions..........I was currently looking at Publisher and Page Maker. Also, if I did get a PC based program and developed pdf files for printing purposes, will a printing company accept them? Thanks for your help!

What is the problem, Shorty? You do NOT need to invest in a Mac! All those programs you mentioned, Photoshop CS2, Quark Xpress, and Illustrator, are all available on the PC, and work just as well on the PC. Your operating system will not change the functionality of them.

However, I would invest in your own personal training first and foremost. Not only in using the programs, but more so in design concepts and theory. The tool is useless if you don't know how to use it.
I understand that they are not looking for a real designer, but hit the bookstore, or take short weekend courses at your local college, at least.

[Riya]

^^ what they said. I would also like to add that Publisher is a pain in the arse to get any sort of printable file out of. And Pagemaker was bought out by Adobe several years ago and they decided to replace it with Indesign. So neither of those are really very good options.

[shorty0814]

I am going to go with the Creative Suite, my next question is, do I need to get some sort of font book or is this different on a pc?

[jimking]

FontBook is for the Mac. For the PC check out Extensis Suitcase.

[shorty0814]

Do I absolutely have to go with font management program (Extensis), or can I function without it for the time being?

[jimking]

Do I absolutely have to go with font management program (Extensis), or can I function without it for the time being?
Don't skimp, now is the time. Save yourself a headache down the road, you'll love it also.

[VerveVisions.com]

I am a marketing person, who has spent the last year working with a graphic designer to learn how to do simple postcards, direct mailings, brochures, etc. However, I am by no means have the training of graphics designer. Anyway, I started with a new company that would like me to start putting together marketing materials, this is a new position, so all their materials are in Word or PowerPoint. It is a PC based company. I am running into issues because I am supposed to select a desktop publishing software for my computer. At my old place of employment I was on a MAC using Photoshop CS2, Quark Express, and Illustrator. I don't feel that my level of experience and for what they would like me to do I should tell them to invest in a MAC and the high priced software. However, I need something that is going to allow me a little flexablity without the high price. I am open for suggestions..........I was currently looking at Publisher and Page Maker. Also, if I did get a PC based program and developed pdf files for printing purposes, will a printing company accept them? Thanks for your help!



defn do not invest any money into any microsoft program, especially publisher. Most printers dont even have the program and the pdfs that you can export are always sketchy.