Start a Desktop Publishing Business - 10 wk: 7. Tools of the Trade

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Start a Desktop Publishing Business - 10 wk 7. Tools of the Trade From Jacci Howard Bear, your Guide to Desktop Publishing Do you have the hardware and software you need to get started doing professional desktop publishing? Perhaps you think what you have now is all you need. Maybe it is. Maybe not. Explore hardware, software, and other supplies specifically for freelance desktop publishing. In our next two classes we'll be rolling in the money: taxes, pricing, estimates, and contracts. Missed a class? Get it here: http://desktoppub.about.com/c/ec/101lost.htm Lessons Hardware for Desktop Publishing The equipment you need to start and run a desktop publishing business is both varied and subjective. As a minimum you're going to need hardware (computer and printer) and software. Whether or not what you currently have is sufficient or whether you need to upgrade depends on the type of work you plan to do. http://desktoppub.about.com/cs/freelance/a/tools.htm Software and Supplies for Desktop Publishing The software is what sets professional designers apart from other computer users. Freelance designers use desktop publishing software to simplify, speed up, and combine many separate tasks once handled by a handful or more individuals. There is no single program used to do desktop publishing. Along with the core desktop publishing and graphics software there are some more things you need to get started. Budgeting a few hundred dollars for these kinds of items is generally a wise move. http://desktoppub.about.com/cs/freelance/a/tools_2.htm Your Assignments The Hard Side of a Design Biz Using the resources found in this lesson analyze your computer and peripherals to see where you may need to upgrade in order to run a successful desktop publishing business. If you do identify equipment you will need such as a new printer or a scanner, do some preliminary research into pricing for what you will purchase. This is information that you will need as you create a budget for your business and create the financials for your business plan. The Soft Side of a Design Biz Using the resources found in this lesson analyze your software needs to see where you may need to upgrade in order to run a successful desktop publishing business. If you do identify software you will need, do some preliminary research into pricing for what you will purchase. This is information that you will need as you create a budget for your business and create the financials for your business plan. Be sure to budget for additional clip art and fonts, swatch books (they can be expensive), and other design-oriented supplies. Discussion Talk About Starting a Business Come to the DTP Classroom to ask questions about any of the topics covered in this email course or other questions you have about learning desktop publishing or starting a freelance design business. http://forums.about.com/ab-desktoppub3/ This email is written by: Jacci Howard Bear Desktop Publishing Guide Email Me | My Blog | My Forum   Missing a lesson? Click here. About U. is our collection of free online courses designed to help you learn a new skill, solve a problem, get something done, or just learn more about your world. Sign up now, and we will email you lessons on a daily or weekly basis. You are receiving this email because you subscribed to the About.com 'Start a Desktop Publishing Business - 10 wk' email. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2010 About.com   Advertisement