Arbroath Academy - Technology Department - National 5 Graphic Communication

DTPTheoryNotes

Arbroath Academy - Technology Department - National 5 Graphic Communication

Desktop Publishing (DTP) is the process of using software to create differentpublications, e.g, magazines, brochures, posters, booklets,newspapers.

What is Desktop Publishing?

Who makes up the Design Team?The publication is designed by the Graphic Designer, produced by thePrinting Industry, and printed by the Publishing Industry.

Benefits of DTP to designersSome 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 IndustrySome 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

Arbroath Academy - Technology Department - National 5 Graphic Communication

DTP Terms

Drop Capital

Drop Shadow Header

Sub-heading

Column

RightMargin

Graphic

Caption

Footer

Left Aligned Text

LeftMargin

Gutter

Bleed

White Space

HeadingHeaderSpace

FooterSpace

Column width

Arbroath Academy - Technology Department - National 5 Graphic Communication

DTP TermsDTP Term Description / Definition

Bitmap An image file comprised of pixels. These tend to be large files

Bleed An extension of a graphic that goes beyond the boundary of the page.Only the area on the page is printed

Body Text The main blocks of text on a page

Caption A brief description that is placed beside a graphic to give moreinformation

Clip Art Ready made graphics that are stored in a library/ gallery

Column The width of the frame of a body of text.

Cropping Trimming of excess area on an image to leave the area required.

Drop Capital An enlarged first letter of an article. Used to identify the start ofan article

Drop Shadow An object crated behind an image or text to create emphasis orgive depth to the image.

Colour Picker A DTP tool that allows you to pick a colour from an object to helpmatch to another

Footer Information given at the bottom of a page

Footer space The space at the bottom of a page

Frames Boxes that contain a graphic or imave. The box is not printed onthe hard copy. The boxes can be rotated, moved or resized.

Graphic An image or illustration used in publications

Grid Usually lines, squares or dots, that aids accurate positioning ofobjects

Guidelines Lines placed on the page fromt he top to help construct yourlayout.

Gutter The narrow space between 2 columns of text

Handles The small squares attached to frames that allows manipulationon an object

Header Information at the top of a page

Header space The space above the title or heading

Headline/ Heading Text that introduces the article/page. This is usually in a large font

Import/Export Used to send digital graphics

Jpeg A file type for photographs. File sizes are usually small

Margin The white space around the outside of a page

Mirror Used to crate a symmetrical imagePortable NetworkGraphic (PNG) A file type that allos the background to be transparent

Point Size Font size, e.g 12pt, 16pt etc

Arbroath Academy - Technology Department - National 5 Graphic Communication

DTP Term Description / Definition

Reverse When white text is placed on a dark background. Instead ofblack text on a white background

Snap When the cursor attaches to a grid point, this improves accuracy.

Sub Heading An intermediate heading. Placed between the heading andtext.

Text Alignment The way text is arranged. This can be left, right, centred or fullyjustified.

Text along a path Text that travels in the same direction as a curve/line, define bythe user

Text wrap When text follows around the outline of a graphic

Transparancy Making fills/images partially see-through

Vector Graphic A scalable computer graphic made up of shapes and lines.

Arbroath Academy - Technology Department - National 5 Graphic Communication

DTP FeaturesYou can create exciting publications with good visual impact if you use the features ofyour 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

Arbroath Academy - Technology Department - National 5 Graphic Communication

Layers

Layers allow you to work on separate areasOf the publication, without it effecting others

Your layers could be built up as follows:Layer 1: Grid StructureLayer 2: TextLayer 3: ImagesLayer 4: Background

GridsBefore adding any graphics or text to a page thelayout should be prepared on a grid.Oten this used 5mm spaces.by activating a snap-to-grid function it means eachfeature on your page can be positioned accurately

Grid Lines

Grid Lines allow you accurately position items onyour page.

The gridlines are put in place by pulling areas infrom the top and the side of the page.

Arbroath Academy - Technology Department - National 5 Graphic Communication

FontsChoosing the correct font in a layout of a publication can be vital inGrabbing the attention of the target audience. Your choice of font will beDictated by your target market.

Fonts fall into 2 main groups

SerifSerif fonts are based on an old typeface and give a traditional look. TheseAre often used to give a foraml look to a publication. These are often usedIn blocks of texts, as they are easy to read.

Typical Serif fonts include:Bookman Old Style

GaramondLucida Bright

RockwellTimes New Roman

The second font group is

Sans SerifThese fonts dont have flicks at the end of them. These are used to give aPublication a modern, elegant feel. These are often used in headings andTitles.

Typical Sans Serif fonts include:Basic Sans Light SF

CalibriGoudita Sans Light

Verdana

Arbroath Academy - Technology Department - National 5 Graphic Communication

Text Wrap

When you alter your text to makeit wrap around an image

Text Along a Path

This is when a line or shape is drawnand used as a path for your text toFollow. You can create any shapeand this can make for a moreInteresting design, drawings thereaders attention.

Bleed

This is a graphic that goes beyond theBoundary of a page. Only the areaon the page is printed

Transparency

When you make an image/blockOf colour ‘see-through’ so that youCan see anything positioned behind it.

Arbroath Academy - Technology Department - National 5 Graphic Communication

Drop Shadow

When you add a shadow behind/belowAn object to add emphasis and depth.

Reverse

This is when you create white text on aBlack or dark background. Reverse Effect

Rotate

When you alter your text or imageBy rotating it at an angle. This canOften be done using a grab handle on the object.

Colour Fill

When an object is filled with colour, this canbe plain, linear, gradient, textured etc. Colour fillscan lift a layout if used effectively. Colour fill cansupport the message of the layout and helpconnect with the target audience..

Rotate

Ro

tate

Rotate

Arbroath Academy - Technology Department - National 5 Graphic Communication

Thumbnails

A variety of quick sketches which show a basic visual layout of theproposed idea. Thumbnails should have splashes of colour schemes andAnnotation.

Working Rough

A sketched version of the final product, This should be annotatedand contain information on images to be used, text etc. This would be theFinal proposal shown to the client before it is produced.

Visual

An accurately drawn version of the final DTP proposal to aid the computergeneration of the document. This should have accurate notes on sizes, font,position of images, sizes of images etc.

DTP Planning and Production