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Desktop software designed for novices that lets you design a wide range of professional looking brochures and graphics

Desktop software designed for novices that lets you design a wide range of professional looking brochures and graphics

Vote: (366 votes)

Program license: Trial version

Developer: Microsoft

Version: 16.0.15128.20280

Works under: Windows

Vote:

Program license

(366 votes)

Trial version

Developer

Version

Microsoft

16.0.15128.20280

Works under:

Windows

Pros

  • Has dozens of templates for commonly printed documents
  • Finds images online and gives you access to clip art
  • Many export and import options available

Cons

  • Sometimes exported documents have poor formatting, but this depends on the design and program opening the document

Microsoft Publisher is used for desktop publishing and minor graphic design and it specializes in business documents. This program comes with various templates for business cards, brochures, letterheads and more. You can also create custom templates or start with a blank canvas and make your own custom designs.

Templates

One of the hallmarks of Microsoft Publisher would be templates. There are dozens of default templates to choose from and you can create your own as well. Publisher specializes in making print-ready designs and the majority of templates are for commonly printed items like business cards, brochures and more. Not only does this make it easier to print the design when you're finished, but the templates have areas specifically for text and images.

You can quickly swap the default text and images with your own and be finished in minutes. You can also move these sections around to make a truly custom design. If templates aren't your thing, then you can simply set the page size and start designing.

Import and Export

Most desktop publish programs are used in the middle of the design process. For example, you might make images or designs in one format, edit them with the desktop publishing program and then finish and print them in another program. As such, Publisher is able to import and export many different file types.

You are able to import Word files, TXT documents and HTML files. You can export as TXT, Word, HTML, PDF, JPG and other formats. While Publisher will do its best to keep the format correct, you may notice that certain fonts, images or placement of objects are off when you open the exported file. You can usually avoid this with static files like PDF, but then you run the risk of not being able to edit the exported file.

Images

You'll need great images for your document. Previous versions of Publisher could only access Microsoft clip art. While some of these images are great, you'll find that the selection is limited. The newest version is capable of looking online and going through Facebook, Flickr and other websites for images that match your needs.

Simply enter a search term and you'll find an image for your needs. If you are printing this for personal use, then there should be no problem using the image. If you plan on selling or using the document commercially, then be sure to check the image's copyright terms. Some images allows this while others require purchasing a license or getting permission from the creator.

Pros

  • Has dozens of templates for commonly printed documents
  • Finds images online and gives you access to clip art
  • Many export and import options available

Cons

  • Sometimes exported documents have poor formatting, but this depends on the design and program opening the document