Hiring a Desktop Publisher

For the publishing industry, whether web-based or print-based, recruiting a dynamic desktop publisher is of utmost importance. Desktop publishers have been known to define the quality associated with any kind of printed/published content.

Efficient desktop publishers have the capability to manipulate the eventual effect to such an extent that the most obvious of deficiencies from the original copy are concealed. In fact, their utility has become so pronounced that even promotional items such as brochures and newsletters now require the services of desktop publishers who specialize in marketing-styled publishing.

Here, we'll look at the role of desktop publishers - understanding them, finding them, and of course, working with them.

Desktop publishers ensure that graphics accompanying the textual part of the content is in harmony with the overall layout. Further, to

fit-in the images, desktop publishers often have to manipulate the placement of the text while also ensuring that the final copy maintains its readability and magnetism. Desktop publishers are specialists who are proficient in using computer software to perform various functions such as:

• Creating background colors and shapes along with defining the coordinates of images to create appropriate layouts for publishing/printing
• Styling prototyped documents that are to be printed which includes an amalgamation of textual data along with charts, graphic arts, images, photographs and other illustrations
• Handling digitalized data during the pre-press phase of printing by using various devices such as scanners and cameras for converting illustrations into digitalized images.
• Repeatedly modifying/fine-tuning the drafts to be printed in accordance with the creative demands of the client or the graphic designers

There are many ways to go about hiring a desktop publisher. You can check Yellow Page listings, or websites like Craigslist, or perform a simple Google search. Often, desktop publishers are associated with companies involved in graphic arts or web design. Once a contact has been established, you should seek some references and samples of earlier work that have been actually published.

Another way of finding a desktop publisher suited to your particular needs is identifying organizations that handle the kind of work you require. Try to establish a formal source of communication with them. Desktop Publishers can either be part of an in-house team, or work as freelancers to whom an organization’s work is being outsourced. As long as the Desktop Publisher is not a full time employee of an organization, chances are he or she would be interested to share contact information.

A more direct approach is to contact any graphic design schools in the surrounding areas. However, many of these desktop publishers may be short on experience. If you are looking for experienced desktop publishers, this may not be best hiring pool, but if you are handling budgeted, volume-based projects, hiring students does make sense, as they will often work for less pay to gain experience and can often offer some very fresh perspectives.

We've looked at what a desktop publisher does, as well as how to go about finding a desktop publisher. On the next page, we'll look at how to work with a desktop publisher - how to let them know what you need and want from your project.