Binding Decisions

If you're printing a booklet, book, or multi-page report you need to plan how the finished product will be put together before you set up your document in your page layout program. For some types of binding it might simply be a matter of ensuring that the margins are wide enough to accommodate the holes for a three ring binder or spiral binding. For saddle-stitching, you may need to compensate for creep. Some bindings are more durable, others allow your book to lay flat when open. You'll also want to weigh the cost of special equipment if you want to do-it-yourself rather than using a local copy shop or printer.

Howard Bear, Jacci. About.com (1999). Design>Publishing>Finishing>Binding

How Does Commerical Offset Printing Differ from Desktop Printing?

The three primary differences in offset printing and desktop printing (such as inkjet and laser) are the colors of ink and the way the ink is placed on the paper as well as the type of machinery used to accomplish the task.

Howard Bear, Jacci. About.com (2007). Articles>Document Design>Prepress>Printing

Publication Art: Technical Illustration

Put the art in the chart with these tips and tutorials for creating technical illustrations for publications such as books and magazines.

Howard Bear, Jacci. About.com. Resources>Directories>Technical Illustration

QuarkXPress Tutorials and Training

Look for tips, tutorials product support, downloads, templates,and publications for QuarkXPress. Find formal and informal training classes and seminars both online and offline for this popular desktop publishing program.

Howard Bear, Jacci. About.com. Resources>Document Design>Software>QuarkXPress

Technical Writing for Desktop Publishers

Writing and book indexing help for desktop publishers. Often desktop publishers become jack-of-all-trades and need at least a basic understanding of technical writing.

Howard Bear, Jacci. About.com (2002). Resources>Document Design>Software>Technical Writing

How to Match Type Size to Readership

The appropriate type size for a publication depends on many factors but there are some general type size guidelines to follow to insure readability for the main audience of your publication. These are not hard-and-fast rules. The more you know about your readership, the better type size choices you will make.

Bear, Jacci Howard. About.com. Articles>Document Design>Typography