DTP - Uses & purpose

Desktop publishing
Overview | Newsletters | Reports | Brochures

Overview

Newsletters, report and brochures are among documents, which can be produced, using a desktop publishing program. Other documents include - logos, letterheads, forms, memos, invoices, questionnaires, pamphlets, posters, advertising fliers, tickets, invitations catalogues, price lists, advertisements, magazines, folders, manuals small newspapers cards (business, greeting) booklets and books.

Each document is produced for a purpose For example newsletter to inform staff about social events planned for the year report so people can understand the information being presented brochure so people are tempted to buy the product

Newsletters can be published for internal circulation or public relations for raising money or raising consciousness.
The purpose of a newsletter is to communicate specialised information to a targeted audience on a regular basis.
It is essential to really understand your specialised audience and what you hope to accomplish through the newsletter.
You should be able to define not just a general purpose but very specific benefits that your organisation can measure as a result of publishing the newsletter.

Unlike magazines, which usually have staff dedicated to creating and producing the publication, people who perform other functions for an organisation often produce newsletters. It’s very important to match the newsletter format to the time and resources you’ll have to produce it. If you’re starting a new newsletter or changing from traditional to electronic production, consider using a free-lance designer experienced in electronic publishing to create a format and electronic templates consistent with your needs and resources. This might give you a much smarter look than you could achieve with an in-house design and you can still cut costs with in-house production.

Regardless of subject, style, or frequency, the challenge common to all periodicals is to establish a strong identity that remains both familiar and fresh issue after issue. The subject, the tone and the overall package and format should be unmistakably one’s own. But within that familiar package it’s the fresh ideas, the unexpected images, the new ways of presenting recurring themes that keep readers interested.

Reports

A report communicates information. Generally, a report is a one-time publication. In business, owners and managers depend on reports for information they need to evaluate results and/or to reach decisions.

Some reports are informal and can be made orally or in handwritten notes. However, many reports require more formality and appearance can be an important requirement. For example, annual reports are among the most attractive and slick publications produced. These publications generally are supported by large budgets. Many annual reports are printed in full colour.

Each report must convey information in a textual form and must make a good impression.

Brochures

A brochure generally is a multipage (four or more) publication. Brochures present in depth information on individual products, product lines, services, or companies. Brochures usually are high quality and costly and are most likely to be produced by outside agencies or art services.

Brochures provide a broader creative challenge than many other kinds of publications. Because they are generally one-shot efforts, intended for use over a relatively long period, more time, effort, planning and money is often allocated to their development. The challenge, for writers and designers, is to come up with a theme or concept that is unique to the needs of that message for that audience at that particular time.

The size and shape of the page varies more in brochures than in other kinds of publications. This is partly because brochures are often produced in small press runs where the cost of paper isn‘t so critical, and partly because brochures often have generous budgets that can absorb the increased cost of a nonstandard paper size.