DTP: what is it really?
- Jetske Dijkstra
Have you ever wondered how all those beautifully designed brochures, posters, and digital presentations are created? The answer is: DTP, or Desktop Publishing.
In this blog, we explore the world of DTP, what it truly involves, and how it can enhance your visual communication to the next level. We guide you through the basic principles and demonstrate, with some practical examples, how companies utilise it to their advantage.
DTP is the process of combining text and images to professionally format documents and other publications for print and digital use. It ensures that all communication materials, from flyers to annual reports, appear professional and appealing. It’s all about the presentation. Do not underestimate the importance of that!
When should you consider DTP?
- Visual consistency: ensure all your marketing materials are consistent for a strong and recognisable brand.
- Efficiency: save time and costs with the right software and processes, allowing designs to be quickly adapted and reproduced.
- Professionalism: project a professional image, as a well-designed document significantly influences how your company is perceived.
How does that work in practice? Below are a few examples!
Case 1: Manuals for a wholesaler in medical instruments and articles
We receive FrameMaker files from this client for translation. This is a specialised tool for processing large technical and scientific documents, offering extensive formatting capabilities.
As we want to edit the content using a word processing program, we need to convert the files to a text-based format, specifically MIF.
We switch seamlessly between FrameMaker and MIF files, ensuring a smooth implementation in FrameMaker after the translation step. The client is unaware of the content process but can be satisfied with a final product that meets all requirements.
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Case 2: A restaurant with a tasteful menu
A local restaurant wants to update its menus. The interior looks beautiful, but the menu appears simple and doesn’t match the ambience.
Through DTP, we design a stylish, thematic menu that perfectly aligns with the restaurant’s image. The new menu uses high-quality images and an elegant font, elevating the entire experience.
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Case 3: Implementing the corporate identity
A new client contacts us to convert PDFs to Word. The original files are formatted in Adobe InDesign. However, the graphic designer has made significant content changes during formatting.
This can cause issues such as inconsistencies, broken links, or changes in layout when the files are re-imported.
Fortunately, it’s not a problem to create fully formatted Word versions based on the PDF files. Afterwards, the client can easily update and maintain the files themselves.
Conclusion
DTP is more than just formatting documents; it’s a powerful tool that helps you convey your message effectively and professionally.
Are you curious about how you can apply this? Contact Mave for a no-obligation conversation. Let’s work together on your next visual masterpiece!
