business plan for desktop publishing

How to Start a Desktop Publishing Business

Main Sections In This Post Steps To Starting A Desktop Publishing Business Points to Consider Resources Knowledge Is Power Featured Video

Explore the desktop publishing business essentials with a comprehensive step-by-step guide.

Discover valuable startup resources and helpful tips for successful operations.

Save this page for future reference and share it with others interested in the business.

Let’s get started with the steps.

Steps to Starting a Desktop Publishing Business

Below are the steps to starting a desktop publishing business.

Each step is linked to a specific section, allowing you to jump to your desired section or scroll to follow the steps in order.

• An Overview of What You’re Getting Into
• Desktop Publishing Business Overview
• Researching Your Desktop Publishing Business
• Looking at Financials
• Choosing A Business Location
• Creating Your Mission Statement
• Creating A Unique Selling Proposition (USP)
• Choose a Desktop Publishing Business Name
• Register Your Company
• Create Your Corporate Identity
• Writing a Business Plan
• Banking Considerations
• Getting the Funds for Your Operation
• Software Setup
• Business Insurance Considerations
• Physical Setup
• Creating a Website
• Create an External Support Team
• Hiring Employees

1.  An Overview of What You’re Getting Into

Is Starting a Desktop Publishing Business the Right Step for You?

Passion: The Driving Force for Success

There is a key factor to succeeding in business, and that factor is you!

Understanding your feelings about owning and running a desktop publishing business is important.

Passion is a crucial element for success in your own business.

Passion is the driving force you need.

The Power of Passion

When you’re passionate about your business and problems arise, you look for solutions. On the other hand, without it, you’ll look for a way out.

Assessing Your Passion

How passionate are you about owning your own desktop publishing business?

An Intriguing Perspective

Let’s look at an interesting perspective:

Imagine you were granted 5 wishes for anything you want. No restrictions!

Finding Your Path

Now an important question.

Would you start a desktop publishing business with one of your wishes in this situation?

If your answer is yes, it shows that you are passionate about owning and operating a desktop publishing business and are heading in the right direction.

Exploring Alternatives

However, if your answer is no, it prompts another question:

What would you prefer to do instead? Perhaps, you should pursue that path instead.

In Conclusion

In summary, you need to be passionate about the business you are starting to increase your chances of success. Without passion, you may be fitting an uphill battle.

For More, See How Passion Affects Your Business . Also, see, Considerations Before You Start Your Business to identify key points for a new business owner.

2. Gaining an Overview of Owning a Desktop Publishing Business

Next, let’s spend some time on key issues to give you an overview of what to expect from owning and running your business.

a.) A Quick Overview of Owning a Desktop Publishing Business

A desktop publishing business focuses on creating visual content for clients.

This might include designing brochures, magazines, books, business cards, and other print materials.

These businesses can create layouts and designs that meet specific client needs with specialized software.

Daily Tasks in a Desktop Publishing Business

Running a desktop publishing business involves various tasks:

• Client Consultation : Engaging with clients to understand their needs and preferences for a design project.
• Design Creation : Using software tools to design and layout content, keeping the client’s brand identity and objectives in mind.
• Proofreading and Editing : Ensuring that the content is free from errors and looks professional.
• Feedback and Revisions : After sharing a draft with the client, make necessary adjustments based on their feedback.
• Printing Coordination : If the business offers printing services, coordinate the printing process to produce the final product.
• Managing Finances : Keeping track of expenses, sending invoices to clients, and managing payments.
• Marketing and Outreach : Promoting the business to attract new clients and retain existing ones.
• Staying Updated : Continuously learning about new design trends and software updates to remain relevant in the industry.

Overall, the goal is to consistently provide clients with high-quality designs that fulfill their needs while managing the operational aspects of the business effectively.

b.) A Key Points To Succeeding in a Desktop Publishing Business

Points to Succeed in Operating a Desktop Publishing Business

Building a Strong Customer Base :

In the initial phase, establishing a customer base can pose challenges.

Reaching out to potential clients through networking events, referrals, and digital marketing can help garner attention to your business.

Cultivating Strong Relationships :

Success comes from attracting clients and nurturing relationships with customers, suppliers, and employees. Establishing trust and open communication is vital.

Aligning Offerings with Customer Needs :

Understanding and delivering what your customers want is pivotal. This ensures that your products and services resonate with their needs and preferences.

Valuing Customer Feedback :

Regularly solicit feedback and be responsive to issues that make sense for your business. Addressing genuine concerns can enhance your reputation and operational efficiency.

Prioritizing Customer Service :

Remember, your customers are the lifeline of your business. A relentless focus on customer satisfaction ensures repeat business and referrals.

Consistently Delivering Value :

More than just delivering a service, always aim to offer unmatched value to your customers. This could be through quality, pricing, or unique design elements.

Hiring the Right Team :

Your team can make or break your business. It’s essential to hire individuals who are not just skilled but align with your business values.

Staff Management and Inclusivity :

A motivated and respected team is more productive. Create an environment where everyone feels valued, fostering a sense of belonging and better retention rates.

Financial Prudence :

Ensuring positive cash flow and keeping a close watch on expenditures is essential. This provides the necessary buffer during challenging times.

Optimizing Costs :

Being cost-effective is essential but should never come at the expense of quality or customer satisfaction. Strive for a balance.

Staying Ahead of Change :

The world of desktop publishing, like many industries, evolves. Stay updated with the latest trends in design, technology, and business processes to remain competitive.

Navigating Revenue Fluctuations :

Like any business, there might be highs and lows in income. Planning for these variations can ensure steady operations.

Competitive Strategy :

Be aware of what your competitors are doing, both new and established. Differentiate your services and stay innovative.

Effective Marketing :

Raising awareness about your services is paramount. Whether you handle it internally or bring in experts, ensure your marketing strategies are impactful and resonate with your target audience.

c.) Making Your Desktop Publishing Business

Unique Branding :

Craft a distinctive brand identity for your business. From logo design to the tone of communication, ensure your brand resonates with your target audience and differs from competitors.

Eco-Friendly Solutions

: Offer sustainable design and printing solutions. This can appeal to many clients in a world increasingly conscious of its ecological footprint.

Customized Packages :

Rather than just providing fixed services, offer bespoke solutions tailored to individual client needs. Personalized attention can be a significant differentiator.

Advanced Training :

Ensure that your team stays ahead of industry trends through continuous training. Your business can stay at the forefront by offering the latest design techniques and styles.

Client Workshops :

Host workshops for clients on topics like design basics, the importance of branding, or using published materials effectively. This not only showcases your expertise but also builds deeper client relationships.

Diverse Design Styles :

Rather than sticking to one style, diversify your portfolio. Offer designs ranging from classic to contemporary, ensuring every client finds something that resonates.

Quick Turnaround Times :

In today’s fast-paced world, time is of the essence. It can be a significant advantage if you can guarantee quicker delivery without compromising quality.

d.) Add on Ideas for a

Desktop publishing business, add-on ideas for a desktop publishing business.

Online Publishing :

Alongside traditional printing, offer solutions for e-publishing. Create designs optimized for eBooks, digital magazines, and online brochures.

Photography Services :

Having professional photographs can elevate the design of any publication. Offer in-house photography or collaborate with local photographers to provide a comprehensive package.

Stock Image Library :

Build a library of stock images and graphics that clients can choose from, ensuring faster and more cost-effective design processes.

Copywriting Services :

Besides the design, the content is crucial. You can provide a one-stop shop for clients by offering copywriting or editing services.

Template Designs :

For clients on a tighter budget or timeline, offer pre-designed templates that can be slightly adjusted to fit their needs.

Print Brokerage :

If you don’t print in-house, establish partnerships with printers. Act as a broker to ensure clients get the best printing deals and quality.

Interactive PDFs :

Not all PDFs need to be static. Offer designs for interactive PDFs, suitable for presentations, online catalogs, or digital manuals.

Training and Tutorials :

Many clients might want to make minor edits or understand the design process. Offer tutorials or training sessions on popular desktop publishing software.

Subscription Services :

Instead of one-off projects, offer subscription models where clients get regular design services, ensuring consistent revenue for your business.

Feedback and Review Platform :

Create a platform where past clients can leave reviews, showcasing the quality of your work and building trust with potential customers.

e.) Desktop Publishing Business Models

Types of Desktop Publishing Business Setups and Their Business Models

Freelance Designers :

These are individual professionals who operate independently. They usually work on a project-to-project basis, directly contracting with clients.

Their business model is built around their individual skill set, reputation, and personal networking.

Design Studios :

A small to medium-sized setup, these studios have a team of designers and sometimes include copywriters and photographers.

They offer packages or bespoke services, often catering to niche markets or specialized industries.

In-house Design for Corporations :

Larger corporations might have their desktop publishing division. Their business model is focused on meeting the company’s internal needs, from marketing materials to internal documentation.

Digital Print Shops :

These businesses provide design alongside printing services.

Their model is built around offering end-to-end solutions, from concept creation to the finished physical product.

Online Design Platforms :

Operating primarily online, these platforms allow clients to select pre-made designs or commission custom work.

They might work on a subscription basis or a pay-per-design model, often leveraging crowdsourcing.

Training and Consultancy :

Some businesses specialize in offering training in desktop publishing software and techniques. Their model is built on courses, workshops, and consultancy services.

This model involves clients paying a regular fee to receive ongoing design services. It’s a way to ensure consistent revenue and can be combined with other business models to provide additional value.

Franchise Model :

Existing successful desktop publishing businesses may offer franchises. New business owners buy into the established brand and receive support, training, and tools, operating under the larger brand name.

Choosing the right business model from the beginning is crucial, as switching your model later is more challenging.

Identifying a profitable and high-demand niche for your desktop publishing business is essential.

f.) Questions You Need to Consider for Your Desktop Publishing Business

Business Model Choice :

What type of desktop publishing business model are you leaning towards?

Handling of Work :

Will you be taking on all the tasks, or do you have plans to bring in employees?

Management Decisions :

Do you see yourself managing the business hands-on, or are you considering onboarding a manager?

Partnerships and Investments :

Are you interested in teaming up with partners or seeking investors?

Business Location :

Are you looking at a home-based setup, or do you envision your desktop publishing business in a commercial space?

Operational Mode :

If you’re considering a physical presence, will it be a brick-and-mortar establishment, or is an online platform more aligned with your vision?

Vision for Growth :

Have you considered the future of your business and your long-term objectives?

Client Engagement :

How do you plan to attract your initial clientele and maintain their loyalty?

Services Offered :

Are there specific niches or services you aim to specialize in?

Financial Planning :

Have you set up a clear budget and a financial backup plan for the initial months?

Technology and Tools : What software and equipment will you invest in to kickstart your services?

Marketing and Branding :

How do you intend to create a brand identity and market your services to stand out in the competitive landscape?

Considering these questions and formulating clear answers will prepare you for potential challenges and provide a roadmap as you navigate the intricacies of establishing your desktop publishing business.

g.) Pros and Cons of Owning a Desktop Publishing Business

Pros of Running a Desktop Publishing Business

Be Your Own Boss :

Relish decision-making freedom without higher-ups dictating terms.

Business Autonomy :

Run operations just as you envision, ensuring alignment with your personal and business goals.

Unleash Creativity :

You can experiment, innovate, and let your creativity flow without external constraints.

Potential for High Revenue :

A desktop publishing business can be highly profitable with dedication and the right strategies.

Flexible Hours :

Once established with a dependable team, you can choose your working hours.

Control Over Working Environment :

Design your workspace to suit your preferences, ensuring a conducive creative environment.

Diverse Clientele :

The industry allows interaction with clients from various sectors, providing rich experiences and networking opportunities.

Continuous Skill Development :

The nature of the job ensures you’re always updating your skills and staying current with design trends and software.

Low Overhead Costs :

Once initial investments are covered, operational costs can be relatively low, especially for home-based operations.

Cons of Running a Desktop Publishing Business

Shouldering All Problems :

As the owner, all challenges and issues will land on your desk, demanding solutions.

Irregular Income :

Unlike a fixed monthly paycheck, business revenues can fluctuate, affecting your income.

Challenging Start-Up Phase :

With delayed returns, the initial stages demand high energy, capital, and patience.

Client Acquisition and Retention :

Building and maintaining a client base in a competitive market can be daunting.

Extended Working Hours :

Especially in the initial phase, expect to put in longer hours than a typical 9-to-5 job.

Success Pressures :

Being the primary decision-maker means constant pressure to ensure business growth and success.

Initial Investment :

Setting up requires a significant outlay for software, equipment, and marketing.

Ever-changing Landscape : Keeping up with technological advancements and design trends is imperative but can be exhausting.

Business Risks :

The journey can be fraught with uncertainties, from financial downturns to client disputes.

Skill and Knowledge Demands :

The industry demands continuous learning. Falling behind on software or design techniques can affect business quality and reputation.

High Competition : The field is crowded, with many vying for the same clientele. Differentiating your services becomes vital yet challenging.

For more, see Pros and Cons of Starting a Small Business.

3. Research

Desktop Publishing Business Research

Thorough Research: A Foundational Step

You must conduct thorough research for the business you intend to open before taking any other action.

With quality information, you will know what you’re getting into. Otherwise, you might find yourself in a situation you don’t expect.

Valuable Insights from Experienced Peers

One way to get the best information is from people experienced in running a desktop publishing business.

Trustworthy Guidance

They are qualified to give you information you can depend on.

Unparalleled Learning Opportunity

The time you spend with them can be priceless and an opportunity to gain insights from their knowledge and years of experience and knowledge.

Article Resource: Finding the Right Contacts

I have written an article with ideas to help find the right people to contact and approach them in an acceptable and non-threatening way.

The steps go beyond this post, but I strongly suggest you read the article from the link below to understand what you’re getting into.

See An Inside Look Into the Business You Want To Start for all the details.

Target Audience

Overview: Understanding Your Target Audience for a Desktop Publishing Business

Understanding your target audience is key to unlocking various benefits for your desktop publishing business. When you clearly know your target market, you can tailor your offers to appeal directly to potential customers. You enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty by providing products and services that align with their interests and needs, leading to potential business growth.

Target Market Ideas:

• Small businesses and startups in need of marketing materials.
• Educational institutions require visually engaging materials for students and staff.
• Non-profit organizations seeking promotional materials for events and campaigns.
• Authors and writers in need of professional book layouts and design services.
• Individuals looking for personalized invitations, cards, and stationery.

For more, see How To Understand Your Target Market.

4. Looking at Financials:

Desktop Publishing Business: Financial Overview

Startup Costs:

To ensure a successful launch, accurately estimating startup costs is crucial for a smooth planning phase until your business opens.

Underestimating can lead to financial shortages, delaying your business’s opening.

Overestimating may make your venture appear risky to potential investors.

Startup costs will depend on factors like your operation’s size, chosen location, hiring decisions, equipment purchases (new or used), and rental or leasing options.

Create a comprehensive list of needed items and research prices for an informed estimate.

For more detailed information, refer to my article on Estimating Startup Costs.

Sales and Profit:

Your sales depend on the following:

• The popularity of your products and services.
• The demand for those products and services.
• Effective marketing to reach the right audience.

Profitability Considerations:

Profitability involves careful evaluation of expenses, including rent, payroll, and overhead costs.

Generating enough sales to cover monthly expenses and provide a reasonable salary is vital for sustained success.

For More, See Estimating Profitability and Revenue .

Sample Financial Lists As a Starting Point

Below are three overly simplified sample financial lists to give you a broad overview of the areas to focus on.

Sample Estimated Start-up Costs for a New Desktop Publishing Business in the USA

• Business Licensing and Permits : $100 – $500
• Office Space Rent (First Month + Security Deposit) : $1,000 – $3,500
• Desktop Publishing Software : $300 – $1,500
• High-Quality Printer : $500 – $2,000
• Computer Hardware (Desktop/Laptop, Monitor, etc.) : $1,200 – $3,000
• Furniture (Desk, Chairs, Cabinets) : $400 – $1,200
• Branding and Marketing Material : $200 – $1,000
• Website and Domain Registration : $100 – $500
• Initial Marketing and Advertising Budget : $500 – $2,500
• Miscellaneous Supplies (Paper, ink, etc.) : $100 – $500

Total Estimated Start-Up Cost : $4,300 – $15,700

Sample Estimated Monthly Expenses for a Desktop Publishing Business in the USA

• Office Space Rent : $1,000 – $2,500
• Utilities (Electricity, Internet) : $100 – $300
• Loan Payments : $200 – $600
• Software Subscription Fees : $30 – $100
• Salaries (If hiring employees) : $3,000 – $6,000
• Marketing and Advertising : $300 – $1,200
• Website Maintenance and Hosting : $20 – $100
• Office Supplies : $50 – $200
• Miscellaneous Expenses : $100 – $500

Total Estimated Monthly Expenses : $4,800 – $10,500

Sample Sales and Profit Outline

• Average Cost Per Project : $500
• Number of Projects per Month : 20
• Monthly Sales Revenue : $500 x 20 = $10,000

Monthly Expenses (taken from the upper limit above): $10,500

Monthly Profit (Loss) : $10,000 – $10,500 = $(500)

To reach a moderate profit, you could aim to either increase the sales volume or adjust the pricing.

For example, if you increased the volume by 5 projects or the price per project by $100, the business would be shifted into a profitable position.

These are fictitious examples. So you can understand the issues to consider when planning to start your desktop publishing business.

Adjusting costs makes a significant difference in whether the business will be successful.

A slight shift in profit per sale on high-volume sales will make a difference in your overall profits.

Also, note many new businesses take time to become profitable because it takes building a customer base, building a reputation, and fine-tuning operations.

Your figures will be different. Every situation is different, and many factors come into play.

Research and consider getting professional advice when calculating your business’s startup costs, expenses, and potential revenues and profits.

5. Choosing The Right Business Location

Desktop Publishing Business: Choosing the Right Location

Location Impact on Success

It can make the difference in whether or not your business succeeds or fails according to your choice of location.

Avoiding Unfavorable Demographics

Operating in a location with no demand for what you offer will lead to failure even before you launch your business.

Balancing Competition

If you open in an area with too much competition, you will struggle to get a share of the market.

Ultimately you want a location with demand and an acceptable amount of competition.

Affordability and Profitability

Another important point is you need something you can afford.

Operating in a highly populated area offers more exposure, but you must ensure your business will be profitable with the extra expense.

Finding the Sweet Spot

The same goes if you look at it from the opposite side. You might find an inexpensive area to operate from, but will it generate enough sales?

Consider Operating from Home

Another option for some business models is operating from home. This works well for businesses that are online or don’t require a lot of personal customer interaction.

Operating from home can be an option to start, and if and when the business expands, you can move to a commercial location.

Key to Success: Research

Choosing a location is an important factor in being successful. Research it carefully!

For more about business locations, see Choosing The Best Location for Your Business.

6. Create Your Mission Statement

Overview: The Importance of a Mission Statement

A mission statement helps identify the core purpose of your business, keeping you focused and mindful of the primary benefit you offer to customers and the community.

Examples of Mission Statements for a Desktop Publishing Business:

• “Empowering businesses with visually captivating communication solutions to elevate their brand presence and engage their target audience effectively.”
• “Enabling creativity and professional excellence through innovative design and publishing services for individuals and organizations.”
• “Delivering top-quality printing and design solutions that bring ideas to life, making a lasting impact for our valued clients.”

For more, see, How To Create a Mission Statement.

7. Creating A Unique Selling Proposition (USP)

Overview: The Significance of Unique Selling Proposition (USP)

A Unique Selling Proposition helps businesses identify and create distinctive attributes that set them apart from competitors, making them stand out in the market.

Examples of USP for a Desktop Publishing Business:

• “Fast Turnaround, Flawless Designs: Your Vision, Perfected.”
• “Affordable Printing, Unmatched Quality: Elevate Your Brand with Confidence.”
• “Personalized Solutions, Professional Results: Unleash Your Creativity with Us.”

8. Choose a Business Name

Choosing the Perfect Name for Your Desktop Publishing Business

When selecting a business name for your desktop publishing venture, aim for something catchy and fitting. An easy-to-pronounce and memorable name will leave a lasting impression.

A Name for the Ages

Business names rarely change, so whatever name you choose now is something you’ll keep for as long as you own the company.

Securing Your Online Identity

Ensure your chosen name has a matching domain for a strong online presence. Verify that another business doesn’t already register it.

30 Creative Ideas for Your Desktop Publishing Business Name:

• PixelPerfect Prints
• CreativeCanvas Creations
• ProType Graphics
• ImageInk Publishers
• ExpressPrint Studios
• DesignWise Publishing
• VisualVibe Media
• ArtfulPages Press
• PrintMasters Studio
• ColorFusion Designs
• PrintProsperity Publishing
• ArtisanalDesigns Inc.
• PictureThis Publishing
• EliteGraphics Group
• The PrintWhiz Studio
• CraftyType Creators
• InSightful Inks
• ArtistryPrints Co.
• PicturePerfect Publications
• ProArt Printworks
• Masterstroke Media
• GraphicsGenius Studio
• PrintCrafters Publishing
• PixelPalette Productions
• ImprintIdeas Inc.
• The VisualVantage
• ArtPrint Emporium
• PixelPop Press
• VisionaryVibrance Graphics
• PictureSense Publishing

Let your creativity flow and find the perfect, original name representing your desktop publishing business!

For more, see the following articles:

• How To Register a Business Name
• Registering a Domain Name For Your Business

9. Register Your Company

Overview: Ensuring Your Desktop Publishing Business is Legal

Running a legal business is essential for its success and sustainability.

Considering professional assistance can ensure compliance, tax benefits, and liability protection.

1. Seek Professional Consultation:

Consulting with a legal professional can provide valuable guidance to ensure your business is legally established.

This step is crucial in navigating complex regulations and minimizing legal risks.

2. Common Types of Registrations for a Desktop Publishing Business:

• Sole Proprietorship: Simple and affordable, but the owner assumes full liability.
• Partnership: Suitable for multiple owners, sharing responsibilities and liabilities.
• Limited Liability Company (LLC): Offers liability protection for owners while maintaining flexibility in tax treatment.
• Corporation: Provides strong liability protection but requires more formalities and may have complex tax implications.

Permits and Licenses:

To operate legally, consider obtaining the following permits and licenses:

• Business License: A general license to operate a business legally.
• Home Occupation Permit: Check local regulations for additional permits if operating from home.
• Sales Tax Permit: Necessary for collecting and remitting sales tax.
• Occupational License: Required for certain professions or services.
• Copyright and Trademark Registration: Protect your intellectual property rights and respect others’.

Compliance and Ongoing Maintenance:

Adhering to legal requirements is an ongoing process. Stay informed about regulation changes, renew licenses as required, and maintain proper records.

Prioritize Compliance for Business Success:

Ensuring your legal desktop publishing business sets a strong foundation for growth and prosperity.

Seeking professional advice and staying compliant safeguards your business and fosters a positive reputation within the industry.

Registration:

• How to Register Your Business
• How To Register a DBA
• How to Register a Trademark
• How to Get a Business License

Business Structures:

• How to Choose a Business Structure
• Pros & Cons of a Sole Proprietorship
• How To Form an LLC
• How To Register a Business Partnership
• How To Form a Corporation
• How To Choose a Business Registration Service

10. Create Your Corporate Identity

Corporate Identity for Your Desktop Publishing Business

A Corporate ID, or Corporate Identity, is a vital aspect of your business representation.

Components of a Corporate Identity:

A Corporate ID comprises several essential elements, including your logo, business cards, website, business sign, stationery, and promotional items.

Consistency for Professionalism:

Maintaining a consistent and professional design across all components is crucial to make a lasting impact on both new and existing customers.

Create a Cohesive Brand Image:

By ensuring that your desktop publishing business exhibits a unified and well-designed Corporate Identity, you establish a strong brand image that resonates with your target audience and fosters trust and recognition.

You can see our page for an overview of your logo , business cards , website , and business sign , or see A Complete Introduction to Corporate Identity Packages.

11. Writing a Business Plan

Creating a Business Plan for Your Desktop Publishing Business

The Significance of a Business Plan

A business plan is a crucial document for acquiring funding and attracting investors. It also serves as a guiding roadmap during startup and full operation.

Vision and Effort

Writing a business plan requires time and effort as it outlines your business’s future vision.

Details Matter

Careful planning and expression of details are essential in crafting an effective business plan.

Worth the Effort

Though demanding, completing a well-crafted business plan yields clarity in starting and running your business.

Options for Creation

Various options are available for creating a business plan: from scratch, hiring a professional, using a template, or using business plan software.

Active Participation

Regardless of the approach, active participation is vital to ensure a distinctive and clear plan that effectively communicates your business’s nature and management.

Continual Optimization

As your experience grows, periodic reviews and necessary adjustments to the business plan and operation are advisable. Flexibility ensures the plan stays relevant and optimized for success.

A SImple Fictitious Business Plan Example for a Desktop Publishing

Sample Business Plan: Prestige Desktop Publishing Co.

I. Executive Summary

Business Name : Prestige Desktop Publishing Co.

Location : 123 Print Lane, Creative City, USA

Business Model : Service-based providing digital and print designs

Mission : To deliver top-quality desktop publishing services that enhance brand image and communication for our clients.

II. Business Description

Prestige Desktop Publishing Co. specializes in crafting high-end digital and print media materials.

From brochures, magazines, and flyers to digital ads and e-books, we leverage advanced design tools and a team of seasoned professionals to offer the best.

III. Services Offered

• Brochures and Flyers
• Digital Advertisements
• E-books and Digital Magazines
• Business Cards and Letterheads
• Corporate Reports and Presentations

IV. Market Analysis

Target Audience : Small to medium-sized businesses, non-profits, educational institutions, and independent authors.

Market Trends : Increasing demand for e-publishing and interactive digital media.

Competitive Analysis : Major competitors include ABC Designs and Digital Magic Co. However, our focus on both digital and traditional print sets us apart.

V. Marketing and Sales Strategy

Branding : Prestige will focus on building a brand synonymous with quality and innovation.

Promotion :

• Digital Marketing : Including SEO and social media advertising.
• Local Collaborations : Partnering with local businesses for promotions.
• Workshops : Hosting desktop publishing workshops to increase brand awareness.

Sales Channels :

• Direct through our official website.
• Via sales reps reaching out to potential clients.

VI. Operational Plan

Office Location : A rented space at 123 Print Lane with areas designated for client meetings, design, and a small print station.

Equipment :

• High-end computing systems with the latest design software.
• A state-of-the-art printer for sample prints.
• Two full-time designers.
• One sales and client relationship manager.
• Part-time financial advisor.

VII. Financial Projections

Start-up Costs :

• Equipment and Software : $5,000
• Initial Rent and Deposit : $2,500
• Marketing and Branding : $2,000
• Miscellaneous : $500

Total : $10,000

Monthly Operational Costs : Approximately $7,500

Projected Revenue (Year 1) : $15,000 per month, to increase by 10% annually.

VIII. Conclusion & Future Plans

Prestige Desktop Publishing Co. aims to solidify its position as a go-to solution for businesses and individuals within the first year.

By Year 3, we aim to expand our team, introduce more services, and possibly open a secondary location.

Note : This fictitious business plan was created to provide an example for a desktop publishing company.

Specifics must be tailored based on market research, resources, and business goals.

For information on creating your business plan, see, How to Write a Business Plan.

12. Banking Considerations

Consider selecting a local bank familiar with desktop publishing businesses.

A distinct business account ensures your desktop publishing expenses are kept separate from personal expenditures.

This distinction simplifies expense tracking and bookkeeping and offers clear evidence should you face a tax audit.

Establishing a professional rapport with your banker is advisable.

They can guide you with specialized insights and financial solutions tailored to the desktop publishing industry, making applications more efficient.

Consider setting up a merchant account or an equivalent system to facilitate credit and debit card transactions for your desktop publishing services.

For more, see, How to Open a Business Bank Account. You may also want to look at, What Is a Merchant Account and How to Get One.

13. Getting the Funds for Your Operation

Overview: Getting Funding for Your Desktop Publishing Business

If you need a loan to start your desktop publishing business, consider the tips in this section to secure the necessary funds for both startup and operation.

Exploring Funding Options:

Various avenues exist to fund your desktop publishing business, including traditional lenders, private loans, investors, selling assets, and using collateral.

Meeting with a Loan Officer: Considerations

When meeting with a loan officer to discuss funding, keep these points in mind:

• Be prepared to discuss your business plan and how you intend to use the funds.
• Demonstrate your understanding of the desktop publishing industry and market trends.
• Showcase your ability to repay the loan with clear financial projections.

Sample List of Documents Needed for a Business Loan:

• Completed loan application with business details.
• Business plan outlining your desktop publishing venture.
• Financial statements, including income, balance sheet, and cash flow projections.
• Personal and business tax returns.
• Collateral documentation (if applicable).
• Any additional documents requested by the lender.

By carefully considering these factors and providing the necessary documentation, you increase your chances of securing funding to launch and run your new desktop publishing business.

See, Getting a Small Business Loan for more.

14. Software Setup

Software Considerations for Your Desktop Publishing Business

Researching software options is crucial as it is easier to implement a program from scratch than to switch systems later with data in another program.

Check for available demos and read reviews and forums to gauge others’ experiences with the software.

Look into software for tracking expenses and preparing financial documents for tax filing.

Consulting your bookkeeper or accountant can guide you in making the right choice for accounting software.

List of Software to Consider for a Desktop Publishing Business:

Graphic Design Software:

• Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop)
• CorelDRAW Graphics Suite
• Affinity Publisher

Project Management Software:

Financial Management Software:

Marketing and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software:

Time Tracking and Invoicing Software:

File Storage and Collaboration Software:

• Google Workspace (formerly G Suite)
• Microsoft 365

Carefully assess the features and compatibility of each software to make informed decisions that will enhance efficiency and productivity for your desktop publishing business.

Check out Google’s latest search results for software packages for a desktop publishing business.

15. Get The Right Business Insurance

Insurance Considerations for Your Desktop Publishing Business

Comprehensive Coverage:

Ensure you have the right insurance coverage in place before any business activity to protect against unforeseen incidents.

Protection for All Stakeholders:

Consider insurance that safeguards customers, employees, visitors, and your business property.

Professional Liability Coverage:

Protect your business against potential lawsuits with professional liability insurance.

Home-Based Business Insurance:

If operating from home, inform your home insurance agent to avoid nullifying your existing policy.

Expert Guidance:

Seek assistance from a competent insurance broker to navigate options and secure sufficient coverage tailored to your desktop publishing business.

Property and Equipment Coverage:

Ensure your insurance policy covers your valuable equipment, such as computers, printers, and other assets essential for your business.

General Liability Insurance:

Consider general liability insurance to protect against third-party claims, such as bodily injury or property damage.

Cyber Liability Insurance:

Safeguard against data breaches and cyberattacks with appropriate cyber liability insurance, considering the digital nature of your business.

Business Interruption Coverage:

Plan for unforeseen events that may disrupt operations by securing business interruption insurance.

Worker’s Compensation Insurance:

If you have employees, explore worker’s compensation insurance to provide coverage for work-related injuries or illnesses.

Product Liability Insurance:

If your business produces physical products, consider product liability insurance to protect against potential product-related claims.

Addressing these concerns and obtaining suitable insurance coverage can safeguard your desktop publishing business and its stakeholders from potential risks and liabilities.

For more, see What to Know About Business Insurance . You can also browse the latest Google search results for desktop publishing business insurance .

16. Physical Setup

A desktop publishing business’s physical setup involves arranging workstations, equipment, and furniture in an efficient manner to optimize workflow and productivity.

Setting up signage is crucial for a desktop publishing business.

Apart from the main business sign, placing signs in relevant areas like parking lots, exits, and special sections enhances navigation and showcases professionalism in your operations.

Office Setup:

Managing your business will occupy most of your time in the office. An organized office promotes increased productivity.

Ensure your office is fully equipped with everything you need to effectively manage your desktop publishing business.

A well-equipped workspace fosters efficiency and smooth operations.

See, Here are Considerations for The Setup of Your Office, for tips and ideas to make your office work for you. Also, have a look at our article About Company Signs.

17. Creating a Website

Overview: The Benefits of Having a Website for Your Desktop Publishing Business

Having a website offers numerous advantages for your desktop publishing business.

Online Presence and Accessibility:

A website allows potential customers to find and access your services easily, expanding your reach beyond local boundaries.

Showcase Your Portfolio:

Display your past work and showcase your expertise in desktop publishing to attract new clients and build credibility.

Enhanced Customer Communication:

Interact with customers through contact forms, email, or live chat, fostering better communication and customer support.

Marketing Tool:

Utilize your website for marketing purposes. Blogging about your industry and providing valuable insights tailored to customers establishes you as an expert, building trust and potentially increasing sales.

24/7 Availability:

Unlike a physical store, your website operates 24/7, enabling customers to explore your services at their convenience.

Cost-Effective Advertising:

Compared to traditional advertising, a website is a cost-effective way to promote your business and generate leads.

E-commerce Potential:

Integrate e-commerce capabilities to sell digital products, templates, or downloadable content, creating additional revenue streams.

Mobile-Friendly:

With a responsive design, your website ensures a smooth experience for mobile users, catering to a growing audience of mobile device users.

Competitive Advantage:

A professional website sets you apart from competitors who may not have a strong online presence.

Credibility and Trust:

A well-designed and informative website instills confidence and trust in potential customers, making them more likely to choose your services.

Embrace the benefits of a website for your desktop publishing business to establish a strong online presence, boost marketing efforts, and build lasting relationships with your customers.

For more, see How to Build a Website for Your Business .

18. Create an External Support Team

Building an External Support Team for Your Desktop Publishing Business

An external support team of professionals consists of individuals who provide valuable advice and services yet are not part of your payroll.

Diverse Expertise:

Ideally, you can engage their services per-use, contractual, or hourly basis. Expanding your team helps you comprehend their significance and potentially add more members over time.

Gradual Formation:

While not all team members need to be in place before starting, building professional relationships takes time. Continuously working on this aspect is essential.

Reliable Assistance:

A strong support team can offer valuable assistance when needed. Consider including professionals like an accountant, lawyer, financial advisor, marketing specialist, technical advisors, and consultants in your group.

Having a well-rounded external support team empowers your desktop publishing business with diverse expertise and resources, enhancing your ability to make informed decisions and navigate various challenges effectively.

For more, see, Building a Team of Professional Advisors for Your Business.

19. Hiring Employees

Managing Growth: Hiring Employees for Your Desktop Publishing Business

During the initial stages of operation, handling tasks yourself may seem manageable to avoid the expense of hiring employees.

Payroll can be a significant burden, especially in the early phases.

However, as your desktop publishing business grows, you may find it challenging to handle all aspects of management and operations alone.

Hiring employees can significantly improve productivity , provided you choose the right individuals.

List of Jobs Needed to Run a Desktop Publishing Business:

The following are job positions or outsourced services you may want to consider as your desktop publishing business grows and becomes successful:

• Graphic Designers: Skilled professionals to create visually captivating designs for clients’ projects.
• Marketing Specialists: Experts in marketing strategies and campaigns to promote your services.
• Sales Representatives: Personnel to handle client interactions and sales inquiries.
• Customer Support: Staff to provide excellent customer service and address client concerns.
• Production Team: Individuals responsible for overseeing printing and production processes.
• Administrative Assistants: Support staff to handle administrative tasks and office management.
• IT Support: Experts to manage and maintain your technology and software infrastructure.
• Accountant/Bookkeeper: Professionals to handle financial matters and maintain accurate records.
• Web Developers: Skilled individuals to manage and update your business website.
• Content Writers: Writers to create engaging content for marketing materials and blog posts.

As your desktop publishing business expands, strategically hiring for these positions or outsourcing specialized services can contribute to your business’s success and overall efficiency.

For more, see, How and When to Hire a New Employee.

Points To Consider

Hours of operation:.

Hours of Operation for a Desktop Publishing Business:

Standard Business Hours:

• Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• This is the typical operating schedule for many businesses, offering consistency and aligning with clients’ working hours.

Extended Business Hours:

• Including evenings or weekends (e.g., Saturday: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM)
• Cater to clients who may require services outside regular workdays, providing additional flexibility and convenience.

By Appointment Only:

• Operating on an appointment basis, allowing personalized attention to each client’s needs.
• Useful for businesses with a smaller team or specialized services that require focused attention.

24/7 Online Services:

• Offering online services or customer support, available round-the-clock, regardless of physical office hours.
• Ideal for handling inquiries, orders, and support through a website or digital channels.

Seasonal Hours:

• Adjusting hours based on seasonal demands or industry-specific peak periods.
• Useful for managing fluctuations in workload and client demands throughout the year.

Holiday Hours:

• Determining specific hours of operation during holidays or other designated breaks.
• Informing clients in advance to manage expectations and provide exceptional customer service.

The chosen hours of operation should align with your business model, target audience, and industry requirements.

Flexibility in scheduling can also be an advantage, allowing you to accommodate various client needs and expand your business’s reach.

A List of Equipment and Supplies to Consider for a Desktop Publishing Business:

• High-performance desktop computers
• Laptop (for mobility and client meetings)
• High-resolution computer monitors
• Graphics tablet with a screen, like a Wacom Cintiq
• Professional-quality color printer
• Black and white laser printer
• Large format printer (for posters and banners)
• High-resolution scanner
• Basic graphics tablets, like a Wacom Intuos
• Advanced graphics tablets with more features
• External hard drives
• Network-attached storage (NAS)
• Cloud storage subscription
• Desktop publishing software (e.g., Adobe InDesign, QuarkXPress)
• Image editing software (e.g., Adobe Photoshop)
• Vector graphics software (e.g., Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW)
• PDF editing and conversion tools
• Font management software
• Backup and synchronization software
• High-speed router
• Ethernet cables
• Wi-Fi range extenders
• DSLR or mirrorless camera (for custom photoshoots)
• High-quality paper (variety of weights and finishes)
• Ink cartridges and toners
• Binding machines (for booklets and presentations)
• Laminating machine
• Paper cutter or guillotine
• Drafting table or lightbox
• Calibration tools for monitors and printers
• Furniture and Ergonomic Equipment
• Adjustable ergonomic chairs
• Height-adjustable desks
• Storage cabinets and organizers
• Task lighting
• Backup Power Solutions
• Uninterruptible power supply (UPS)
• Power surge protectors
• Communication Tools
• Business phone system
• High-quality webcam and microphone (for virtual client meetings)

This list is a comprehensive overview for a desktop publishing business setup. Some items may be optional based on specific business needs and budget considerations.

Marketing Considerations

In the world of desktop publishing, having no clients means you’re essentially without a business. In the early stages, attracting these clients can pose a challenge since your enterprise is still establishing its footing and remains relatively unknown.

However, attracting clients will become progressively smoother as your reputation grows and solidifies. Along the way, your marketing acumen will also refine.

Promoting your desktop publishing services is a continuous effort.

The deeper your commitment to efficient marketing strategies, the higher the revenue you’ll see in return.

While there’s no strict need to enlist the expertise of a marketing agency, the option remains available to you.

To demystify the marketing process, envision it as creating visibility for your desktop publishing brand, seizing every chance.

See our article How To Get Customers Through the Door

Potential Business Partners for Referral Opportunities

• Printing Shops : Collaborate with local printers who may have clients in need of design before printing.
• Local Newspapers and Magazines : Offer your desktop publishing services for their overflow work or specialized projects.
• Marketing Agencies : They often require polished, print-ready materials for their clients.
• Real Estate Agencies : They often need brochures, property listings, and other promotional materials.
• Photography Studios : Photographers might need assistance turning their photographs into albums, brochures, or promotional materials.
• Event Planners : They regularly require invitations, banners, brochures, and other materials for the events they organize.
• Web Design Firms : Web designers might encounter clients who also need offline materials consistent with their online branding.
• Local Schools and Universities : For producing yearbooks, event programs, and promotional materials.
• Local Businesses and Retailers : Offer to design their promotional materials, newsletters, or menus.
• Non-profits and Charities : They often need materials for fundraising events or general awareness campaigns.
• Authors and Writers : Help layout and design books, ebooks, and other publications.
• Startup Companies : New businesses may need various materials, from business cards to brochures.

By building relationships with these businesses, you can propose a win-win scenario: they refer clients needing desktop publishing services to you, and in return, you offer them a referral fee or special deals that would be advantageous for both their operations and their customers.

Always remember nurturing mutual trust and providing excellent service will ensure the longevity of such partnerships.

Marketing Offers

Offers to Attract New Customers:

• Free Consultation : Offer a complimentary 30-minute consultation to discuss potential projects and provide insights on how your services can help.
• Discounted First Project : Reduce first-time customers’ rates to incentivize them to choose your business.
• Portfolio Showcase : Host an event or an online webinar to showcase your best projects, providing insights and networking opportunities.
• Referral Discounts : Offer discounts to those who refer new clients to your desktop publishing business.
• Package Deals : Bundle related services together at a discounted rate for new customers (e.g., logo design + business card layout).

Offers to Retain Existing Customers:

• Loyalty Programs : Offer a loyalty card that gives a discount after a certain number of projects.
• Exclusive Previews : Offer existing customers a first look at new services or products.
• Feedback Discounts : Offer a discount for customers who provide valuable feedback on completed projects.
• Anniversary Deals : Celebrate the anniversary of your client’s first project with a special offer.
• Referral Bonuses : Reward existing customers who refer new clients with bonuses or freebies.

Sample Classified Ads for a Desktop Publishing Business:

• Design Dreams into Reality : Expert desktop publishing for your business needs! Call us now.
• Capture Attention with Stunning Designs : Desktop publishing services available. Let’s make your vision come alive.
• First Impressions Matter : Make yours stand out with our desktop publishing services.
• Crafting Your Message : Professional desktop publishing services for businesses of all sizes.
• Bring Ideas to Life : Exceptional desktop publishing at unbeatable rates. Contact us today!

Each offer and ad should be tailored to your business’s specific strengths and the unique needs of your target audience for maximum impact.

Methods to Promote Your Desktop Publishing Business:

Local Networking Events : Attend community and business networking events. Engage in conversations, hand out business cards, and build relationships.

Social Media : Set up profiles on popular platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Share your work, engage with followers, and run targeted ads.

Website and Blog : Create a professional website showcasing your portfolio. Add a blog section where you provide insights about desktop publishing, design trends, and industry news.

Referral Program : Encourage satisfied clients to refer others to your services. Offer them incentives for successful referrals.

Local Advertisements : Place ads in local newspapers, magazines, and community bulletins to reach a broader local audience.

Join Business Associations : Join local chambers of commerce or business groups. These organizations often offer opportunities for members to promote their businesses.

Workshops and Classes : Host workshops or classes in your area of expertise. This establishes your authority and introduces potential clients to your business.

Customer Testimonials : Collect and display positive feedback from satisfied clients on your website and promotional materials.

Collaborations : Partner with complementary businesses, like printers or photographers, for collaborative marketing campaigns or package deals.

Email Newsletter : Build a list of interested potential clients and send regular newsletters showcasing recent work, offering special deals, and sharing desktop publishing tips.

By employing a mix of traditional and digital strategies and consistently delivering quality service, you’ll effectively spread the word about your desktop publishing business and attract a steady flow of clients.

See our marketing section for articles that will provide ideas to bring awareness to your business.

Overview: Essential Skills for Running a Desktop Publishing Business

It is crucial to focus on your skill set and assess if you possess the necessary abilities to manage a desktop publishing business. Remember, if you lack a critical skill, you can either learn it or hire someone who excels in that area.

List of Essential Skills for a Desktop Publishing Business Owner:

Graphic Design Proficiency:

• Expertise in design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite) and creative design concepts.

Attention to Detail:

• A keen eye for precision and accuracy in layouts, typography, and color schemes.

Communication Skills:

• Clear and effective communication with clients, team members, and vendors.

Time Management:

• Efficiently handling multiple projects and meeting deadlines.

Creativity:

• Innovating and generating unique design ideas for diverse client requirements.

Problem-Solving:

• Tackling challenges and finding solutions to design and production issues.

Print Knowledge:

• Understanding various printing techniques, paper types, and finishes.

Client Relationship Building:

• Nurturing strong client connections and delivering exceptional customer service.

Marketing and Sales Skills:

• Promoting services and effectively selling design solutions to clients.

Technological Savvy:

• Staying updated with industry trends and new software advancements.

Collaboration:

• Working effectively with team members, copywriters, and other professionals.

Project Management:

• Organizing and overseeing design projects from inception to completion.

These essential skills equip a desktop publishing business owner to navigate challenges, deliver outstanding design work, and thrive in a competitive market.

Expert Tips

Overview: Improving Skill Set with Expert Tips

Benefit from expert tips regardless of expertise level. Experts may discover easier methods or gain fresh perspectives. Novices can learn numerous tips to enhance skills and knowledge significantly.

See the latest search results for expert desktop publishing tips to gain tips and insights.

Exploring Valuable Resources for Your Desktop Publishing Business

In this section, various resources provide up-to-date and popular information. These valuable sources can be utilized during the startup phase and when your business is fully operational.

Accessing these resources will enhance your understanding of the industry and offer valuable tips for improving your desktop publishing business. Stay informed and make informed decisions to drive success and growth.

Trends and Statistics

Overview: Benefits of Industry Trends and Statistics for Your Desktop Publishing Business

Analyzing industry trends and statistics offers valuable insights into market demands, customer preferences, and emerging opportunities.

This data-driven approach empowers your desktop publishing business to make informed decisions, stay competitive, and foster growth.

See the latest search results for trends and statistics related to the desktop publishing industry.

Desktop Publishing Associations

Overview: Advantages of Trade Associations for Your Desktop Publishing Business

Trade associations provide valuable benefits, such as staying updated on industry news and accessing networking opportunities.

These advantages become especially apparent when associations host events that foster professional growth and collaboration.

See the search results related to desktop publishing associations.

Top Desktop Publishing Business

Overview: Gaining Insights from Established Desktop Publishing Businesses

Studying established desktop publishing businesses offers ideas to identify gaps in the industry for your own business.

It also helps uncover areas that may have been overlooked, allowing for improvements and innovation within your own operations.

See the latest search results for the top desktop publishing businesses.

The Future of the Desktop Publishing Industry

Overview: Benefits of Researching the Industry’s Future for Starting a Desktop Publishing Business

Researching the industry’s future provides aspiring desktop publishing business owners valuable insights and foresight.

It helps identify upcoming trends, potential challenges, and growth opportunities, enabling informed decision-making and strategic planning for a successful venture.

See the search results for the future of the desktop publishing industry.

Overview: Benefits of Researching Industry Prices for Starting a Desktop Publishing Business

Researching industry prices offers valuable advantages when launching a desktop publishing business.

It helps to understand market rates, set competitive pricing, and make informed financial decisions, ensuring profitability and sustainable growth.

See the latest desktop publishing prices.

Desktop Publishing Businesses for Sale

Considering Buying an Established Desktop Publishing Business

Buying an existing desktop publishing business has its pros and cons:

• Immediate Revenue: Earn from day one of ownership.
• Skip Startup Phase: Avoid the challenges of starting from scratch.
• Proven Success: A functioning business model with known revenue, profit, and expenses.
• Existing Customer Base: Access to an established clientele.
• Established Reputation: Benefit from the business’s built reputation.

Disadvantages:

• Higher Cost: Purchasing goodwill, including the customer base, may come at a premium.
• Customer Loss Risk: Changing the business’s existing operations may lead to customer attrition.
• Inheriting Reputation: The business’s reputation, both positive and negative, becomes part of the purchase.

Even if an exact match isn’t available, exploring similar businesses for sale within the industry can provide valuable insights using the provided link.

Businesses for sale: See the latest results for a desktop publishing business and others related to this business model.

Franchise Opportunities Related to a Desktop Publishing

Considering a Desktop Publishing Franchise

Buying a desktop publishing franchise has its pros and cons, making it worth exploring before starting an independent business. Additionally, exploring these opportunities may unveil related aspects of desktop publishing that were previously overlooked.

• Proven Business Model: Follow the established plan created by the corporate office.
• Established Reputation: Benefit from the franchise’s existing reputation and marketing efforts.
• Comprehensive Knowledge: Gain insights into the business before committing to it.
• Corporate Support: Receive support from the corporate office.
• Higher Cost: Purchasing a franchise can be expensive.
• Limited Autonomy: Major changes require approval from the corporate office.
• Restricted Product/Service Choices: Limited to approved products and services.
• Adherence to Agreement: The business must operate according to the franchise agreement.
• Ongoing Fees: Franchisees are subject to ongoing franchise fees.

Even if an exact match for a desktop publishing franchise isn’t available, exploring similar franchises within the industry can provide valuable options using the provided link.

See the latest search results for franchise opportunities related to this industry.

Knowledge Is Power if You Use It!

Harnessing Knowledge for Your Desktop Publishing Business

Knowledge is a powerful tool when applied effectively!

Abundant industry information is available online.

Follow the links below to access valuable resources for your desktop publishing business’s research, startup, and full operational phases. Utilize this information to drive success and growth.

Desktop Publishing Business Insights

Overview: Leveraging Tips and Insights for Your Desktop Publishing Business

Examining tips and insights can inspire innovative ideas, help you navigate potential pitfalls in managing your desktop publishing business, and significantly enhance your industry knowledge.

Use this valuable information to excel and make informed decisions within your business operations.

See the latest search results leading to resources about  Desktop Publishing Business Insights.

Desktop Publishing Forums

Overview: Engaging with Desktop Publishing Forums

Participating in desktop publishing forums enables you to join pertinent discussions, build industry relationships, and gain insights into customer perspectives.

This interactive platform offers valuable information and fosters meaningful connections within the industry.

See the latest search results related to Desktop Publishing forums.

Overview: Embracing Courses for Skill Enhancement

Courses offer an excellent opportunity to learn, enhance your skillset, and stay up-to-date with industry developments.

Engaging in educational programs empowers continuous growth and expertise within your desktop publishing business.

See the latest courses related to Desktop Publishing  and our management articles to provide insights and tips on managing Your business.

Desktop Publishing Blogs

Overview: Benefits of Subscribing to Desktop Publishing Blogs

Subscribing to desktop publishing blogs offers inspiration and industry updates.

You can follow multiple blogs and curate valuable information, ensuring a constant flow of useful insights to enhance your desktop publishing business effectively.

Look at the latest search results for desktop publishing blogs to follow.

Desktop Publishing News

Overview: Staying Updated with Desktop Publishing Industry News

Monitoring news sources provides real-time updates on the desktop publishing industry.

Setting up alerts ensures timely notifications whenever the media cover new developments.

Watching videos about the desktop publishing industry provides valuable tips and insights. Additionally, explore related videos suggested by YouTube, as many are relevant to the topic.

See the links to YouTube Videos Below.

• Videos related to starting a desktop publishing business can be found here.

Privacy Overview

Upmetrics AI Assistant: Simplifying Business Planning through AI-Powered Insights. Learn How

Entrepreneurs & Small Business

Accelerators & Incubators

Business Consultants & Advisors

Educators & Business Schools

Students & Scholars

AI Business Plan Generator

Financial Forecasting

AI Assistance

Ai Pitch Deck Generator

Strategic Planning

See How Upmetrics Works  →

• Sample Plans
• WHY UPMETRICS?

Customer Success Stories

Business Plan Course

Small Business Tools

Strategic Planning Templates

E-books, Guides & More

• Sample Business Plans
• Entertainment & Media

Publishing Company Business Plan

Soaring high demands, a wide target audience, and attractive revenue sources make the publishing business a lucrative and rewarding opportunity.

Anyone can start a publishing company. But if one wants to achieve revenue and growth goals with their reputed publishing business, they need a detailed business plan in action.

Need help writing a business plan for your publishing company business? You’re at the right place. Our publishing company business plan template will help you get started.

Free Business Plan Template

Download our free business plan template now and pave the way to success. Let’s turn your vision into an actionable strategy!

• Fill in the blanks – Outline
• Financial Tables

How to Write A Publishing Company Business Plan?

Writing a publishing company business plan is a crucial step toward the success of your business. Here are the key steps to consider when writing a business plan:

1. Executive Summary

An executive summary is the first section planned to offer an overview of the entire business plan. However, it is written after the entire business plan is ready and summarizes each section of your plan.

Here are a few key components to include in your executive summary:

Introduce your Business:

Start your executive summary by briefly introducing your business to your readers.

Market Opportunity:

Products and services:.

Highlight the publishing services you offer your clients. The USPs and differentiators you offer are always a plus.

Marketing & Sales Strategies:

Financial highlights:, call to action:.

Ensure your executive summary is clear, concise, easy to understand, and jargon-free.

Say goodbye to boring templates

Build your business plan faster and easier with AI

Plans starting from $7/month

2. Business Overview

The business overview section of your business plan offers detailed information about your company. The details you add will depend on how important they are to your business. Yet, business name, location, business history, and future goals are some of the foundational elements you must consider adding to this section:

Business Description:

Describe your business in this section by providing all the basic information

Describe what kind of publishing company you run and the name of it. You may specialize in one of the following publishing company businesses:

Trade Publishing

Educational and academic publishing, boutique publishing, digital publishing.

• Describe the legal structure of your publishing company, whether it is a sole proprietorship, LLC, partnership, or others.Explain where your business is located and why you selected the place.

Mission Statement:

Business history:.

If you’re an established publishing company service provider, briefly describe your business history, like—when it was founded, how it evolved over time, etc.

Future Goals:

This section should provide a thorough understanding of your business, its history, and its future plans. Keep this section engaging, precise, and to the point.

3. Market Analysis

The market analysis section of your business plan should offer a thorough understanding of the industry with the target market, competitors, and growth opportunities. You should include the following components in this section.

Target market:

Start this section by describing your target market. Define your ideal customer and explain what types of services they prefer. Creating a buyer persona will help you easily define your target market to your readers.

Market size and growth potential:

Competitive analysis:, market trends:.

Analyze emerging trends in the industry, such as digitization, interactive media like AR and VR, etc. Explain how your business will cope with all the trends.

Regulatory Environment:

Here are a few tips for writing the market analysis section of your publishing company business plan:

• Conduct market research, industry reports, and surveys to gather data.
• Provide specific and detailed information whenever possible.
• Illustrate your points with charts and graphs.
• Write your business plan keeping your target audience in mind.

4. Products And Services

The product and services section should describe the specific services and products that will be offered to customers. To write this section should include the following:

Describe your products:

Mention all the products that will be provided by your publishing company. This list may include products like,

• Books, academic papers, magazines, etc.
• Video games

Describe your services:

Mention the publishing services your business will offer. This list may include services like,

• Reviewing and Editing
• Printing and Production
• Marketing and Promotion
• Consultation

Quality measures:

This section should explain how you maintain quality standards and consistently provide the highest quality service.

Additional Services:

In short, this section of your publishing company plan must be informative, precise, and client-focused. By providing a clear and compelling description of your offerings, you can help potential investors and readers understand the value of your business.

5. Sales And Marketing Strategies

Writing the sales and marketing strategies section means a list of strategies you will use to attract and retain your clients. Here are some key elements to include in your sales & marketing plan:

Unique Selling Proposition (USP):

Define your business’s USPs depending on the market you serve, the equipment you use, and the unique services you provide. Identifying USPs will help you plan your marketing strategies.

Pricing Strategy:

Describe your pricing strategy. A publishing company adapts one of the following or a mix of pricing strategies to stay competitive and profitable.

• Retail pricing
• Dynamic pricing
• Subscription models
• Freemium pricing
• Tiered pricing

Marketing Strategies:

Sales strategies:, customer retention:.

Overall, this section of your publishing company business plan should focus on customer acquisition and retention.

Have a specific, realistic, and data-driven approach while planning sales and marketing strategies for your publishing company business, and be prepared to adapt or make strategic changes in your strategies based on feedback and results.

6. Operations Plan

The operations plan section of your business plan should outline the processes and procedures involved in your business operations, such as staffing requirements and operational processes. Here are a few components to add to your operations plan:

Staffing & Training:

Mention your publishing business’s staffing requirements, including the number of employees needed. Include their qualifications, the training required, and the duties they will perform.

Operational Process:

Equipment & machinery:.

Include the list of equipment and machinery required for the publishing company, such as printing machinery, scanners and digital imaging equipment, storage systems, etc.

Adding these components to your operations plan will help you lay out your business operations, which will eventually help you manage your business effectively.

7. Management Team

The management team section provides an overview of your publishing company business’s management team. This section should provide a detailed description of each manager’s experience and qualifications, as well as their responsibilities and roles.

Founders/CEO:

Key managers:.

Introduce your management and key team members, and explain their roles and responsibilities.

Organizational structure:

Compensation plan:, advisors/consultants:.

Mentioning advisors or consultants in your business plans adds credibility to your business idea.

This section should describe the key personnel for your publishing company services, highlighting how you have the perfect team to succeed.

8. Financial Plan

Your financial plan section should provide a summary of your business’s financial projections for the first few years. Here are some key elements to include in your financial plan:

Profit & loss statement:

Cash flow statement:, balance sheet:, break-even point:.

Determine and mention your business’s break-even point—the point at which your business costs and revenue will be equal.

Financing Needs:

Be realistic with your financial projections, and make sure you offer relevant information and evidence to support your estimates.

9. Appendix

The appendix section of your plan should include any additional information supporting your business plan’s main content, such as market research, legal documentation, financial statements, and other relevant information.

• Add a table of contents for the appendix section to help readers easily find specific information or sections.
• In addition to your financial statements, provide additional financial documents like tax returns, a list of assets within the business, credit history, and more. These statements must be the latest and offer financial projections for at least the first three or five years of business operations.
• Provide data derived from market research, including stats about the publishing company industry, user demographics, and industry trends.
• Include any legal documents such as permits, licenses, and contracts.
• Include any additional documentation related to your business plan, such as product brochures, marketing materials, operational procedures, etc.

Use clear headings and labels for each section of the appendix so that readers can easily find the necessary information.

Remember, the appendix section of your publishing house business plan should only include relevant and important information supporting your plan’s main content.

The Quickest Way to turn a Business Idea into a Business Plan

Fill-in-the-blanks and automatic financials make it easy.

This sample publishing company business plan will provide an idea for writing a successful publishing company plan, including all the essential components of your business.

After this, if you still need clarification about writing an investment-ready business plan to impress your audience, download our publishing company business plan pdf .

Related Posts

Record Label Business Plan

Family Entertainment Center Business Plan

Best AI Tools for Small Business

Customer Analysis for Business Plan

Free Business Plan Example

Importance of Business Plan Location

Frequently asked questions, why do you need a publishing company business plan.

A business plan is an essential tool for anyone looking to start or run a successful publishing company business. It helps to get clarity in your business, secures funding, and identifies potential challenges while starting and growing your business.

Overall, a well-written plan can help you make informed decisions, which can contribute to the long-term success of your publishing company.

How to get funding for your publishing company business?

There are several ways to get funding for your publishing company business, but self-funding is one of the most efficient and speedy funding options. Other options for funding are

Small Business Administration (SBA) loan

Crowdfunding, angel investors.

Apart from all these options, there are small business grants available, check for the same in your location and you can apply for it.

Where to find business plan writers for your publishing company business?

There are many business plan writers available, but no one knows your business and ideas better than you, so we recommend you write your publishing company business plan and outline your vision as you have in your mind.

What is the easiest way to write your publishing company business plan?

A lot of research is necessary for writing a business plan, but you can write your plan most efficiently with the help of any publishing company business plan example and edit it as per your need. You can also quickly finish your plan in just a few hours or less with the help of our business plan software .

How do I write a good market analysis in a publishing company business plan?

Market analysis is one of the key components of your business plan that requires deep research and a thorough understanding of your industry. We can categorize the process of writing a good market analysis section into the following steps:

• Stating the objective of your market analysis—e.g., investor funding.
• Industry study—market size, growth potential, market trends, etc.
• Identifying target market—based on user behavior and demographics.
• Analyzing direct and indirect competitors.
• Calculating market share—understanding TAM, SAM, and SOM.
• Knowing regulations and restrictions
• Organizing data and writing the first draft.

Writing a marketing analysis section can be overwhelming, but using ChatGPT for market research can make things easier.

What's the importance of a marketing strategy in a publishing company business plan?

Marketing strategy is a key component of your publishing company business plan. Whether it is about achieving certain business goals or helping your investors understand your plan to maximize their return on investment—an impactful marketing strategy is the way to do it!

Here are a few pointers to help you understand the importance of having an impactful marketing strategy:

• It provides your business an edge over your competitors.
• It helps investors better understand your business and growth potential.
• It helps you develop products with the best profit potential.
• It helps you set accurate pricing for your products or services.

About the Author

Vinay Kevadiya

Vinay Kevadiya is the founder and CEO of Upmetrics, the #1 business planning software. His ultimate goal with Upmetrics is to revolutionize how entrepreneurs create, manage, and execute their business plans. He enjoys sharing his insights on business planning and other relevant topics through his articles and blog posts. Read more

Plan your business in the shortest time possible

No Risk – Cancel at Any Time – 15 Day Money Back Guarantee

Popular Templates

Create a great Business Plan with great price.

• 400+ Business plan templates & examples
• AI Assistance & step by step guidance
• 4.8 Star rating on Trustpilot

Streamline your business planning process with Upmetrics .

• Business Plans Handbook
• Business Plans - Volume 07
• Desktop Publishing Company Business Plan

Desktop Publishing Company

BUSINESS PLAN     POWER DESK TOP PUBLISHING, INC.

4900 Maryland Plaza St. Louis, Missouri 63112

Power Desk Top Publishing aims to fulfill a unique niche in the local market of desk top publishing companies. By targeting selected businesses through direct phone calls, the owners plan to grow their business based on a reputation for topnotch creative and affordable editorial and graphic services.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• THE COMPANY—PRESENT SITUATION

MANAGEMENT & PERSONNEL

Product description.

• MARKET ANALYSIS—CUSTOMERS

COMPETITION

Marketing strategy.

• ADVERTISING, PROMOTION PUBLIC RELATIONS

PRICING & PROFITABILITY

Summary & use of funding.

• FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS

Power Desk Top Publishing, Inc. is a small corporation composed exclusively of a husband and wife team who are managers, sales executives, and hands-on operators.

The desk top publishing industry has come of age. Based on modern computer advances, both in hardware and software, desk top publishing has eclipsed the costly traditional methods of printing, enabling creative and well-trained individuals, such as Steve and Mary Lane, to offer exciting and dynamic printing service to business, churches, students, and individuals at affordable prices.

Mr. and Mrs. Lane bring a wealth of talent to this enterprise. Steve has earned Ph.Ds in both Advertising and Graphic Design. He has also logged two years' experience as an intern at a leading advertising agency in St. Louis. Mary holds a degree in English and has years of advertising experience in both production and management. Their creative talent is reflected in the exceptional appeal of their work product. Power Desk Top Publishing will not be merely a mechanical printing operation. The Lanes bring much more to the table. They can take an idea or a concept submitted by a client and produce a finished product that is eye catching and truly unique.

Creativity as compared to mere mechanical reproduction will indeed be a major part of their selling appeal.

Another hard hitting plus will be the fact that Power Desk Top Publishing will be able to compete at a most aggressive price level. For the first two years, Power DTP will be a true owner-operator business with no employees other than the owners.

Desk top publishing, as the name implies, lends itself to a very compact operation, and an inthe-home operation is contemplated for years one through four. Keeping overhead at a bare minimum, Steve and Mary will devote at least 50% of their time calling on potential customers. They will take the business to the customers by meeting them at the client's establishment, providing meaningful samples, and offering to produce prototype newsletters, brochures, price lists, mailers, etc. Operating with the slimmest of fixed overhead, the Lanes are able to offer up to 15% introductory discounts to gain market penetration.

Both Steve and Mary are gifted sales people and, as owner operators, can capture the confidence of the printing buyer. They also posses seemingly boundless energy and are dedicated to working long hours to assure the success of Power Desk Top Publishing. While devoting most of their days to customer calls and support activities, they will work into the evening with the hands-on production aspects of the business. Both are inveterate computer buffs and enjoy the creative challenge of producing new and original pieces.

Like many entrepreneurs, the Lanes have a driving ambition to see their firm grow and prosper, yet their approach is cautious and their expectations quite reasonable.

For the first two years, Steve and Mary will perform all the work, sales, and production. By year three, the business will add one full-time, or two part-time employees, drawing talent from the local universities. Graphic design and advertising majors will be sought for this young, dynamic company. The Lanes will continue on in the home through their fourth year, when a storefront operation will be added along with an expanded scope, including hands-on computer rental time available to the public. At this time an additional worker will be added.

Sales projections for the first year are a modest $70,000, providing net earnings of $8,100 after combined officers' salaries of $28,896. The Lanes have $5,000 of savings invested and will require a line of credit of $30,000, $15,000 of which is for equipment. Year one proforma reflects $24,000 of the line as hard costs; the remainder is budgeted for contingencies and operating reserve.

THE COMPANY— PRESENT SITUATION

Power Desk Top Publishing, Inc. is a Sub-chapter "S" corporation with all stock jointly owned by Steve and Mary Lane. The company, which is in the final planning stages, is targeting an April 15th opening. Power Desk Top Publishing's entry into the market will be timed to coincide with both a print advertising campaign in local university newspapers and an intensive business-to-business sales campaign in which both principals call upon business owners and managers, and distribute attractive fliers, which are samples of their work product.

The desk top publishing industry is rapidly gaining a significant foothold in what was once considered the exclusive domain of traditional printing companies. More and more users are turning to the economics offered by the small, independent, low overhead operators that offer a good product at economic prices. Power Desk Top Publishing offers much more. Highly skilled and dedicated, this team will combine both technical excellence, advertising, layout expertise, and personal service to move their new company to the forefront. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lane have extensive educational backgrounds that lend themselves to advertising and graphic arts. Additionally, because of low overhead and the absence of an outside payroll, Power Desk Top Publishing will compete quite effectively, offering a superior product at a price 10 to 20% less than larger, less efficient speed printers.

Power Desk Top Publishing, Inc. will be addressing a variety of markets. University students represent one market for term papers, theses, and doctoral dissertations, etc. Employment resumes and entrepreneurial business plans are another. Churches, for their bulletins, directories, and publications are a third category of business.

Cash resources presently stand at $5,000, and an equipment budget totaling some $15,000 has been established. Power Desk Top Publishing, Inc. will require $30,000 borrowed capital to successfully start up this company.

Power Desk Top Publishing, Inc. has set a goal of $70,000 in sales for the first twelve months of full-time operations. We expect this to increase by 25% during the second twelve-month period for total sales of $86,600 for year two. Evaluation of the market has given rise to these reasonable expectations.

With regard to the college market, there presently exists a need for low price first rate publishing services. Power Desk Top Publishing will be catering directly to this market to a much greater extent than other desk top publishers or speed printers. Mrs. Lane's expertise as an English major will be invaluable in composition and proofreading copy. Her role will be very "hands on" with her customers' projects, offering coaching and advice as needed. The relative youth of the Power DTP principals, and their recent academic background will be a decided plus in accessing and dealing with the student market.

Mr. Lane holds doctoral degrees in both graphic design and advertising. This background will prove to be a great asset as more and more companies avail themselves of Power Desk Top Publishing's services. Power DTP's offering to the market far exceeds the mere mechanical aspect of printed material. Steve's graphic arts expertise and advertising talent will come into play when soliciting orders from business customers. By being able to suggest outstanding layouts and striking designs, it is easy to see that Power Desk Top Publishing will be offering a level of support to their customers that is not always available through competitive sources.

Steve and Mary Lane are ambitious and energetic young business people. While their initial expectations are relatively modest, they foresee, by the start of their fifth year, a successful operation that has moved from the in-the-home business to a storefront operation that will have significantly expanded, both in terms of volume and scope.

It is anticipated that, in addition to producing finished desk top publishing products and services, the Lanes will be offering to the public a variety of computer and desk top publishing equipment that may be rented by the hour to walk-in clientele. Eight Macintosh computers, as well as laser printers, color ink jet printers, and other support hardware and software, will be dedicated to this branch of the company. Experienced individuals can easily come in and rent equipment by the hour. Beginners may also avail themselves of this facility and will be helped by the courteous and skilled staff.

Moderately priced training classes in hardware and software operation will also be offered.

Steve Lane , 25, recently earned his doctoral degree in Advertising at Washington University, after having earned a Ph.D. in Graphic Design. He will serve as President and Treasurer of Power Desk Top Publishing, Inc. and will function as Manager. During his years at Washington University, Steve spent two summers interning at Thompson-McGuire Advertising agency, where he sharpened his skills in layout and design and gained much practical knowledge of advertising production. With his formidable business education, having also achieved his M.B.A. at Washington University, Steve will handle all the day-to-day business management activities of Power Desk Top Publishing, Inc. In addition to this, he intends to devote at least 4 hours per day to making personal sales calls on prospective business customers.

Throughout his college years, Steve developed work habits that have always included long hours. The plan for Power Desk Top Publishing contemplates a completely owner-operated business, with both Steve and Mary doing most, if not all, of the production and hands-on computer work in the evening after devoting their days primarily to sales calls and customer service in the field.

Mary Lane , 31, graduated from Webster University with a B.A. in English in June of 1992. She will be Vice President and Secretary of Power Desk Top Publishing, Inc. and will share management and sales responsibility with her husband. Upon graduation, she held positions as copywriter in the advertising department for a large food processing company and later, as Assistant Advertising Manager for the same company. For the past seven years she has been a housewife, raising their daughter. The daughter is now in school full-time during the day, and Mrs. Lane is free to devote her daytime efforts to the promotion of the family business.

Mary will have primary responsibility for developing and managing their student market. She will be preparing and inserting display and classified ads in the student newspapers of the local colleges. She will be on campus to discuss with clientele the company's services and, in general, to attend to the needs of this very special market.

When not engaged in campus sales activities, Mrs. Lane will be calling on the general business community to promote sales in this area. She also will be responsible for composition, proofreading, graphic layout, and typesetting.

Both Mary and Steve will be active in all production facets of the business, with Steve's expertise more concentrated in graphic design and advertising, and Mary's directed to composition and proofing.

Other Personnel

Power Desk Top Publishing will commence business as completely owner-operated, with Steve and Mary Lane handling all phases of business activities. As the business progresses, it is expected that part-time help will be added to assist with some of the more routine activities. The job pool from which the Lanes intend to draw is the student job placement services of both St. Louis University and Washington University.

Both campuses are situated in reasonably close proximity to Power Desk Top Publishing, which will be operating from the Lanes' residence at 4900 Maryland Plaza. Because of the Lanes' close and recent involvement with student life and activities, it is well known to them that a ready source of capable and willing workers is available, in the wage scale of $6.25 to $6.75 per hour. While the wages are only minimum wage or slightly above, the work is deemed more desirable than fast food service and the scheduling quite flexible and very compatible with student needs.

The jobs require computer literacy along with good typing skills. Macintosh experience, particularly with PageMaker or Quark Express, will be a desirable attribute. No problems are anticipated in filling any future personnel requirements from the available student labor pool.

The concept of desk top publishing has come into its own, due to the high cost of traditional printing. Before the advent of the desk top publisher, the printing buyer would often employ a graphic design company or an advertising agency to put together their literature, newsletter, or promotional piece. There were production costs incurred in the design and layout workups. Once completed, the design or advertising company would often deal directly with a printing company on behalf of the customer. The printing company would then utilize the service of a typesetting company, which would compose the type and layout in finished form ready to be run on the presses of the printer. It is easy to see that there were quite a few levels of profit involved in these operations, all at the expense of the printing buyer.

As personal computers and laser printers evolved, it became clear that compact and less expensive equipment could accomplish the same functions of the highly sophisticated and capital intensive traditional typesetting and printing operations. The advent of powerful "typesetting" and page layout software, available at affordable prices, gave the computer operator all the versatility of a traditional composing room at a fraction of the cost. Because of the relative simplicity of the system, and the fact that the various hardware could be conveniently positioned on a typical desk top, the term desk top publishing came into being. The time for desk top publishing has definitely arrived, now an industry in its own right, with sales expected to top $2 billion by 2003.

The work of Steve and Mary Lane is recognized for its highly appealing style and striking impact. Their work is not ordinary. Both possess a certain flair and panache for graphic artistry that is reflected in their work. Comparatively speaking, the efforts of "speed printers" are merely mechanical, taking in camera-ready copy and spitting out 500 or 1000 reproductions, which is not what Steve and Mary Lane are bringing to the marketplace. Expert composing skills, a knack for creative layout, and a complete command of their library of sophisticated and powerful software enable Power Desk Top Publishing to produce a dynamite product to their customers' complete satisfaction.

Some typical jobs might include:

MARKET ANALYSIS— CUSTOMERS

The need for quick, economical printing has been well established. The need for creative printing, that is also quick and economical, remains an unfulfilled need in many regions of the metropolitan area. It is this market that Power Desk Top Publishing intends to cultivate.

Businesses make up the most fertile field in the spectrum of users of desk top publishing. The wide array of companies doing business in the St. Louis area present a most diverse market that is not particularly dependent on any specific industry. Both Steve and Mary intend to cultivate, through personal phone calls, literally hundreds of business contacts each week. Almost every company uses some sort of printed promotional material. Power Desk Top Publishing intends to demonstrate to their clients just how they can save money and have a more appealing presence as a result of the skill and creativity of the Power team.

Preselling calls have revealed that users are overpaying for printing products simply because they are using the outdated mode of traditional typesetting and printing presses. Desk top publishing could fulfill their needs with more style and greater economy. This will be the prime market for Power Desk Top Publishing, Inc.

Another important category of business is the restaurant menu. Literally, hundreds of restaurants feature stylized menus, which change from time to time. Using a system of templates that Mr. Lane has developed, Power Desk Top Publishing will attract a significant customer base in the food industry by providing fast, responsive service with creative, customized menu renditions in a wide variety of styles and formats, each tailored to the needs of a particular client's restaurant.

Newsletters represent a market very worthy of development. Power Desk Top Publishing is in the unique position to provide a full range of services in which copywriting will be offered as an important option. Mary Lane's training and background will be most helpful in creating dynamic and interesting newsletters for clients who have no in-house writer. This will set Power Desk Top Publishing apart from typical printers that offer only mechanical services. Creative service and customized support at attractive prices will be the hallmark of Power Desk Top Publishing.

Churches are another target market for Power Desk Top Publishing. While the in-house duplicators of most church offices will suffice for routine notices, special events and fund raisers are best heralded by attractive eye-catching announcements. This is where the professional attention of Steve and Mary Lane proves invaluable. The training and expertise developed over long years of advanced study honed in the competitive advertising arena, assures their clientele of the very best in desk top publishing.

The student market is another great source of business for Power Desk Top Publishing. Term papers, dissertations, and doctoral theses all demand more attention when presented with style and a professional layout. A special student rate will be available as an added inducement. Both Steve and Mary, because of their own recent academic history, are superbly qualified to address this specialized market. Steve's two Ph.Ds make him eminently qualified to work with doctoral candidates in the preparation and publishing of their theses. Mary, being an English major, is also available to coach and proofread. They are a sales team with whom the student client can identify and enjoy working. It is expected that this type of rapport will engender rapid word of mouth referral in the campus community, all to the betterment of Power Desk Top Publishing, Inc.

Resumes represent a segment of the market that must not be overlooked. Desk top publishers have found this a fertile field, likely to increase in demand when overall economic conditions decline, thereby affording a hedge against recession in the publishing field. Like several of the markets outlined above, this is a specialty market, yet one that can be addressed by strategic placement of inexpensive classified ads and an additional Yellow Page listing.

Business plans will be another important service for Power Desk Top Publishing. The entrepreneurial market continues to expand, and with the competition for borrowed and investor funds, it is increasingly essential for business people to approach the financial community with a solid prospectus of their planned enterprise. PlanMaker, innovative new software for the Macintosh computer, will be an important tool in Power Desk Top Publishing's library. Using PlanMaker, Steve and Mary will work closely in guiding new business people step-by-step in the creation of a dynamic business plan.

The prime mover in the desk top publishing field in the St. Louis market is currently Speed- Craft Printers, who have three locations. Speed-Craft, which is a franchised operation, has done a good job in raising the consciousness of the printing buyer to the economies of desk top publishing. They maintain a strong advertising presence in the St. Louis Business Journal and the Yellow Pages. They are walk-in operations and will not pick up copy but will deliver finished product via courier. They do not have sales people calling on business and industry on a regular basis. Power Desk Top Publishing, Inc. will not try to wage a dollar for dollar advertising campaign in direct competition with Speed-Craft. Steve and Mary do not feel that would be cost effective at this time. Much more on target will be their daily personal sales calls to owners and managers of businesses of all descriptions. The face-to-face conversations and the personal dissemination of samples of their work will have a greater impact than media advertising.

Other desk top publishing businesses are primarily one-person operations that have carved out their niche in certain areas. These operations cover the complete spectrum of proficiency. Some have only perfunctory skills and limited equipment resources, while others offer excellent products and services.

In addition to others in desk top publishing, Power Desk Top Publishing will be competing with traditional printers and advertising agencies.

Because of their advanced training and experience, as well as the most modern of equipment and software, Power Desk Top Publishing will quickly establish themselves as a major contender in the local desk top publishing industry.

Creativity, speed, and price are the three major factors that all competing companies must successfully address. Drawing from the ample skills of the principals, Power Desk Top Publishing will be known for its exceptional creative design. No one can deliver faster than Steve and Mary with modern equipment, a work-at-home facility, and dedication to spend long hours in the building of their business. Power DTP also will be very competitive with prices. With virtually no overhead, meeting and beating prices will present no problem. Blind surveys of competing firms have indicated that Power Desk Top Publishing can discount their product as much as 20% off prevailing prices and still turn a reasonable profit. No such price slashing is contemplated, however, Power Desk Top Publishing does possess the capability to compete should the market turn aggressive.

Risks that are inherent to all businesses have been contemplated by Steve and Mary Lane in the formation of the plan for Power Desk Top Publishing, Inc. Of course, traditional casualty risks will be covered by business owners insurance, ample to protect all assets and with a $250,000 public and product liability umbrella. There are no potential hazards regarding the availability of raw materials, which are primarily paper stocks and in good supply nationwide. Stepped up recycling efforts have served to stabilize paper costs, which in turn has held pricing fairly steady in the printing field.

If paper stock pricing does trend upward, the effect will be industry-wide, with Power Desk Top Publishing being able to pass the costs along by way of retail price adjustments to the extent that industry follows suit, which has traditionally been the case in the printing field. In the event that aggressive competitive pricing develops, Power Desk Top Publishing is ideally situated to successfully compete in a price-dominated market.

Other potential variations in the economy have been carefully evaluated by management. Two of our featured specialities, resumes and business plans, are known to increase in demand during a sluggish economy, as more individuals contemplate career changes and business opportunities.

Diversity of customer base is also another strength of Power Desk Top Publishing. Because Power DTP will be selling to a very wide range of companies, churches, and individuals, encompassing many different fields, they are less dependent on any particular industry and therefore have an added dimension of strength based on diversification of market.

During economic downturns, prudent businesses not only watch their costs more intently, but initiate sales-generating promotions through direct mail and other printed advertisements. Power Desk Top Publishing stands ready to fill that need and at attractive and even discounted prices if warranted.

The Lanes feel that flexibility is their strength and, should economic conditions require a change in price or product concept, they will be quick to react with an updated marketing plan.

Desk top publishing is now widely appreciated as a creative and innovative approach to the field of graphic arts. Traditional methods, involving hard typesetting and massive printing presses, became more and more expensive and, consequently, less and less accessible to cost conscious users. In the true American tradition of "find a need and fill it," the advent of sophisticated computers, like the Macintosh, coupled with powerful software, provided the tools for skilled operators to produce impressive printing for their clients at affordable prices.

It is in this arena that Steve and Mary Lane will launch Power Desk Top Publishing, Inc. The markets have been defined, with General Business being a prime target. Both Steve and Mary will each devote at least four hours per day calling business owners and managers. All types of companies will be canvassed, both large and small. Steve and Mary will work independently of each other, reaching a targeted 20 prospects each per day. Time permitting, additional calls may be made during the early phases of start-up. Each sales call will be accompanied by the distribution of samples, depicting design and printing capabilities of Power Desk Top Publishing. Creativity will be stressed, and buyers will be offered a 15% first-time discount as an introductory offer. Steve and Mary will pick up copy and deliver finished products as they make their sales rounds each day. Personal service and attention will be among their main selling points.

Churches and restaurants also represent specialized markets with particular needs, and these establishments will be targeted for special attention by Steve and Mary. As with businesses, the creative talents of Power Desk Top Publishing will be emphasized as the needs of the clients are discussed. They will be selling a look and feel as well as a printed page.

The student market will be addressed through advertisements placed in campus newspapers of Washington University, St. Louis University, Webster University, Fontbonne College, and Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. Doctoral theses, dissertations, term papers, and other publications will be given expert attention. A student discount and a referral discount program will be utilized. Citing the academic credentials of the principals, personal consultations will be encouraged.

Resumes and business plans represent another market that will be addressed. Strategically placed classified advertisements in the St. Louis Post Dispatch and the St. Louis Business Journal will be used to attract clients.

Power Desk Top Publishing, Inc. will offer a full range of services. Not merely printing, but graphic design, custom layout, creative writing, guidance, and coaching in self-preparation of copy will be offered. Power DTP will provide the complete spectrum of professional services not found in any other desk top publishing companies.

ADVERTISING, PROMOTION & PUBLIC RELATIONS

Power Desk Top Publishing has designated an advertising budget of $3,000 for year one. A commitment of $1,000 is scheduled for months one and two and is directed at the campus newspapers of St. Louis University, Washington University, Webster University, Fontbonne College, and Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. Ads will be directed at the student market and will be selling the services of Power Desk Top Publishing in the realm of publishing term papers, theses, and doctoral dissertations, as well as resumes and other published material associated with academia. Personal consultations will be encouraged.

Press releases also will be distributed to these newspapers, with follow-up calls to encourage editorial exposure. As alumni, respectively of Washington University and Webster University, Steve and Mary will give particular attention to those campuses. Press releases announcing the entry of Power Desk Top Publishing also will be distributed to the appropriate editors of the St. Louis Post Dispatch , the St. Louis Business Journal , the Journal Newspaper Group , and St. Louis Computer News . Photographs of the principals will be included with brief resumes and other relevant data.

Power Desk Top Publishing will attempt no media blitz in attracting attention. Personal sales calls, emphasizing face-to-face contact with buyers, remains the promotional medium of choice for Power DTP. All sales calls will include distribution of samples that are relevant to the prospect's business and will include a first-time 15% introductory discount. Both Steve and Mary possess a natural disposition and manner that is well suited to represent their company to the public.

Strategic use of classified advertising will also play a role in sales development. Targeting resumes and business plans through the Career and Business Opportunities sections of the classified ads will be an inexpensive way to attract customers.

Power Desk Top Publishing will participate in the annual Small Business Expo, which is a regional trade show directed at entrepreneurs and other business enterprises. This well- attended convention attracts some 20,000 visitors to the Convention Center and will provide an ideal forum for meeting new prospects and disseminating sample work to a wide spectrum of business and prospective customers of all descriptions. Booth rental and expenses have been budgeted at $1,200.

Steve and Mary are current participants, or are joining, several worthwhile business and community organizations. Paramount among these is the Association of Desk Top Publishers, a national group dedicated to excellence in desk top publishing. In addition to an annual convention, the organization also promotes local chapters which meet regularly to further the professional standards of desk top publishing. The Lanes are active members in the St. Louis chapter.

Power Desk Top Publishing also will be joining the St. Louis Regional Commerce and Growth Association as a small business Associate Member. Steve is an active member of the Central West End Lions Club and attends the monthly luncheons. Membership is composed primarily of small business owners and managers and this affiliation is expected to be helpful in obtaining additional business for Power Desk Top Publishing.

Mary Lane has formally proposed writing a regular column in the St. Louis Small Business Monthly , which is a tabloid-sized newspaper circulated to about 3,000 small businesses in the St. Louis area. The suggested title column is "Desk Top Publishing Update" and will feature information of a topical nature about advances in desk top publishing and other matters of general interest to the printing buyer and advertising manager. Mary has submitted two sample columns and the proposal is now under active consideration. She will receive no direct remuneration but will be credited as co-owner of Power Desk Top Publishing, Inc., which will have significant advertising value.

Competitive pricing will be an important marketing tool of Power Desk Top Publishing, Inc. In doing their market research, all existing desk top publishers in the St. Louis area were surveyed by the Lanes to determine their price structure.

Because of the low overhead operation contemplated by Power Desk Top Publishing, introductory and student discounts can be offered to gain access to the market. Once the quality and service of Power Desk Top Publishing becomes known, Power DTP will be able to compete effectively at prevailing market prices.

Because of the efficiencies inherent to desk top publishing, a good margin of gross profit is normal for the industry. This is particularly true for Power Desk Top Publishing, which, at its inception, will be completely owner-operated and situated in an in-home location.

Paper costs make up the primary hard cost of any given job and normally runs 16% to 18%. Minimal overhead for insurance, utilities, etc. is presently budgeted at 10-11%. Sale costs are estimated at 10%. Advertising and promotion, exclusive of discounts, amount to about 6%. Equipment depreciation and debt amortization figures at 15%. This allows 42% gross profit at prevailing retail prices, before officers' salaries. Net after salaries is 11%.

BREAK-EVEN EVALUATION

*[For detailed derivation of these calculations, refer to Twelve Month Proforma, financial Projections.]

A budget has been prepared by Power Desk Top Publishing, Inc. reflecting necessary capital expenditures and projected start-up costs.

[Equipment and Fixtures are listed in the Equipment Schedule following. It has been determined that Steve and Mary Lane will draw a weekly salary of $250 each. The company will also provide health insurance for both officers. The principals have developed a sound approach to the market, maximizing strengths and minimizing risks.]

Total capitalization of $35,000 will be derived as follows:

[The principal equity comes from savings. It is projected that borrowed capital would be drawn down over a period of the first twelve months of business, commencing April 1, 2000. Approximately 50% will be required initially for equipment acquisition. Start of operations is scheduled for April 15, 2000.]

EQUIPMENT SCHEDULE

TWELVE-MONTH PROFORMA

THREE-YEAR PROJECTED INCOME STATEMENT

This page left intentionally blank to accommodate tabular material following.

CASH FLOW PROJECTION

BALANCE SHEET, CURRENT & PROJECTED

User Contributions:

Comment about this article, ask questions, or add new information about this topic:.

Desktop Publishing Process Overview

Peter Dazeley / Getty Images  

• PHP Programming
• Java Programming
• Javascript Programming
• Delphi Programming
• C & C++ Programming
• Ruby Programming
• Visual Basic

Desktop publishing is the process of using computer software to combine and rearrange text and images and create digital files that are either sent to a commercial printer for printing or printed directly from a desktop printer .

Here are the key steps to creating an attractive layout in most types of page layout software and printing it from your desktop printer. This is an overview of the desktop publishing process.

Desktop Publishing Supplies

It can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours depending on the complexity of the desktop publishing project. Here's what you'll need to execute your project:

• Desktop publishing software
• Training in how to use your software
• Desktop printer

Steps to Taking an Idea From Screen to Print

Have a plan, make a sketch.

Before even opening the software it is wise to have an idea where you are going with your design. What do you want to create? Even the roughest of sketches can be useful. You could skip this step but it is recommended to try to do a few thumbnail sketches first.

Choose a Template

If your chosen software has templates for the type of project you plan to do, take a look at those templates to see if they will work as-is or with a little tweaking for your project. Using a template can be faster than starting from scratch and a great way for those new to desktop publishing to get started. Or, as an alternative, find a tutorial for your software that takes you through the steps of learning the software while doing a specific project such as a greeting card, business card, or brochure. With Microsoft Publisher , you can craft a birth announcement , business card, or greeting card . You can also set up a business card.

Set up Your Document

If using a template, you may need to tweak some of the template settings. If starting from scratch, set the size and orientation of your document — set the margins . If you'll be doing text in columns, set up text columns. The specific steps you take in the document setup will vary from one type of project to the next.​

Place Text in Your Document

If your document is mostly text, place it in your layout by importing it from a file, copying it from another program, or typing it directly in your program (not the best choice if it is a substantial amount of text).

Format Your Text

Align your text. Apply the desired typeface, style, size, and spacing to your text. You may end up making some changes later, but go ahead and select the fonts you believe you want to use. Apply embellishments such as plain or fancy drop caps. The specific steps of composing the text that you choose will depend on the amount of text and the type of document you are preparing.

Place Graphics in Your Document

If your document is mostly graphics-based, you may want to place the images before adding bits of text. Import your graphics from a file, copy them from another program, or create them directly in your page layout software (simple boxes, rules, etc.). You can even do some drawing and graphics creation right in your page layout program. Draw with shapes in InDesign  shows you how to create all kinds of vector drawings without leaving InDesign.

Tweak Your Graphics Placement

Move your graphics around so that they line up the way you want them. Set up your graphics so that text wraps around them. Crop or resize graphics if necessary (best done in your graphics software, but for desktop printing, it can be acceptable to crop and resize in the desktop publishing software).

Apply the Rules of Desktop Publishing

Once you have your initial layout, improve and fine-tune. Simply applying these tried and true rules of arranging a page and doing desktop publishing will result in more attractive pages even without formal graphic design training. In brief : drop typewritten conventions such as two spaces after periods and double hard returns between paragraphs; use fewer fonts , less clip art; leave white space in the layout; avoid most centered and justified text.

Print a Draft and Proofread It

You can proofread on-screen but it's always a good idea to print out your project. Proof your printout not only for colors (colors on screen don't always print as expected), typographical errors, and placement of elements. If it is to be folded or trimmed, make sure it folds properly and that trim marks print correctly. Think you've caught all the errors? Proofread it again.

Print Your Project

Once you're happy with your layout and your proofs are printing properly, print your creation on your desktop printer. Ideally, even before you finalize your design you've gone through all the preparatory steps for desktop printing including calibration, print options, previews, and troubleshooting.

Useful Tips and Tricks

Want to improve your design skills? Learn how to do graphic design . There is a lot of similarity to the steps outlined here but with a stronger focus on the basics of graphic design.

Although the above steps work for most types of desktop publishing projects, when the document is destined for commercial printing, there are additional file preparation and printing and finishing considerations.

• 4 Types of Software for Desktop Publishing
• Best Things to Make With Desktop Publishing Software
• Newsletter Design Software for the Mac
• Start a Desktop Publishing or Graphic Design Business
• Designer's Guide to Crop Marks
• Desktop Publishing vs. Graphic Design
• Page Layout
• What is a Printer-Friendly Web Page?
• Top Desktop Publishing Software for Windows
• What Is a C-Fold Document?
• Trim Area and Live Area in Page Layout
• Set Up Bleeds in Microsoft Publisher
• A Guide to the Differences Between Commercial and Desktop Printers
• The Top Business Card Software for Windows
• How to Create a Greeting Card in Microsoft Publisher
• What Is CSS and Where Is It Used?

• Starting a Business
• Growing a Business
• Small Business Guide
• Business News
• Science & Technology
• Money & Finance
• For Subscribers
• Write for Entrepreneur
• Entrepreneur Store
• United States
• Asia Pacific
• Middle East
• South Africa

Copyright © 2024 Entrepreneur Media, LLC All rights reserved. Entrepreneur® and its related marks are registered trademarks of Entrepreneur Media LLC

Starting a Desktop Publishing Business Combining your design and writing skills, this business is the perfect blend for people with an eye for the artistic and an ear for the written word.

By Paul and Sarah Edwards • Jan 12, 2004

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

If you have a feel for design and the ability to edit what otherpeople write, you may find your way to a homebased business doingdesktop publishing. The Bureau of Labor Statistics declares desktoppublishing to be one of the fastest-growing vocations, forecastingthe number of desktop publishers will grow from 38,000 in 2000 to63,000 in 2010, an increase of 67 percent.

Desktop publishers produce print and electronic documents, suchas catalogs, manuals, directories, brochures and resumes that areready to be posted on the Web or go to the printer. For eachpublication, desktop publishers produce a design, lay out thepages, format the text and add images. Sometimes desktop publishersalso write the copy for their clients based on informationthey're given or otherwise obtain.

In addition to the ability to design and edit, you alsoneed:

• to be able expertly use the software you'll be employing.As one of the pioneers in desktop publishing told us, "If youcan't do better than the clients can do themselves, theywon't give you the business."
• communications skills, in order to obtain and satisfy clientsto get their work. Often clients have difficulty clearlyarticulating visual concepts, and so drawing out of them what theirobjectives are is an everyday part of what you do.
• patience, because clients often change their minds once theysee what they thought they wanted in print or on the computerscreen.

Desktop publishers charge by the hour, by the page or by theproject. Brenner Books conducts national surveys and posts hourlyrate ranges of desktop publishers by state at www.brennerbooks.com . Clients often prefer "bythe job" pricing, so being able to estimate how long a projectwill take can be crucial to whether you can run a profitablebusiness.

As with many service businesses, you'll obtain clientsthrough contacts you make through networking. Some desktoppublishers are bidding for work on sites like elance.com and guru.com . Others bid ongovernment work. Of course, you'll need a Web site forprospective clients to see examples of your work.

To learn more about desktop publishing and make contact withdesktop publishers, check out the many forums for desktoppublishers online. You'll find www.desktoppublishing.com/open.html is a portal fordesktop publishing and a gateway to forums.

Paul and Sarah Edwards are the authors of Best Home Businesses for the 21st Century and 14 other books.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick Red Arrow

• This Mother and Daughter Were 'Kind of Fringe Weirdos' When They Started an Uncommon Business in Their Garage. Now They're in Major Retailers — and Victoria Beckham Is a Fan.
• Lock A Leadership Shortage Is Coming. Here's What Needs to Happen to Prevent It.
• Lock The Author of 'Million Dollar Weekend' Says This Is the Only Difference Between You and the Many 'Very, Very Dumb People' Making a Lot of Money
• What the NLRB Appeal of the Expanded Joint Employer Rule Judgment Means for Your Business
• Lock 12 Books That Self-Made Millionaires Swear By
• The Sweet Side Hustle She Started in an Old CVS Made $800,000 in One Year. Now She's Repeating the Success With Her Daughter — and They've Already Exceeded 8 Figures.

Most Popular Red Arrow

Warren buffett had to work from his iphone after telephone lines went down at berkshire hathaway: 'i'm glad we didn't sell all of our apple'.

Berkshire sold around $20 billion worth of Apple recently.

My Startup Couldn't Raise VC Funding, So We Became Profitable. Here's How We Did It — And How You Can Too.

Four months ago, my startup reached profitability for the first time. It came after more than a year of active work and planning, and here's what it took.

Clinton Sparks Podcast: From Hit Records to Humanitarian Powerhouse, Akon Shares His Entrepreneurial Journey

This podcast is a fun, entertaining and informative show that will teach you how to succeed and achieve your goals with practical advice and actionable steps given through compelling stories and conversations with Clinton and his guests.

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Jack Dorsey Explains Bluesky Exit: 'Literally Repeating All the Mistakes We Made' at Twitter

Dorsey left the Bluesky board and deleted his account earlier this week.

McDonald's Is Responding to Sky-High Fast Food Prices By Rolling Out a Much Cheaper Value Meal: Report

The news comes as the chain looks to redirect back to customer "affordability."

Successfully copied link

Self Publishing Business Plan Template & Guidebook

Are you looking to start a self-publishing business but are not sure where to begin? With the right business plan template and guidebook, you can create an effective, winning strategy! The #1 Self Publishing Business Plan Template & Guidebook provides an easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide for developing a plan tailored to fit your individual needs and goals. Learn how this must-have tool can help you make your self-publishing dream a reality!

Get worry-free services and support to launch your business starting at $0 plus state fees.

• How to Start a Profitable Self Publishing Business [11 Steps]

How to Write a Self Publishing Business Plan in 7 Steps:

1. describe the purpose of your self publishing business..

The first step to writing your business plan is to describe the purpose of your self publishing business. This includes describing why you are starting this type of business, and what problems it will solve for customers. This is a quick way to get your mind thinking about the customers’ problems. It also helps you identify what makes your business different from others in its industry.

It also helps to include a vision statement so that readers can understand what type of company you want to build.

Here is an example of a purpose mission statement for a self publishing business:

Our mission is to empower aspiring authors by offering an efficient, cost-effective self-publishing process that results in high-quality books. We strive to provide the best self-publishing services to our authors and help them turn their dreams into reality.

2. Products & Services Offered by Your Self Publishing Business.

The next step is to outline your products and services for your self publishing business. 

When you think about the products and services that you offer, it's helpful to ask yourself the following questions:

• What is my business?
• What are the products and/or services that I offer?
• Why am I offering these particular products and/or services?
• How do I differentiate myself from competitors with similar offerings?
• How will I market my products and services?

You may want to do a comparison of your business plan against those of other competitors in the area, or even with online reviews. This way, you can find out what people like about them and what they don’t like, so that you can either improve upon their offerings or avoid doing so altogether.

3. Build a Creative Marketing Stratgey.

If you don't have a marketing plan for your self publishing business, it's time to write one. Your marketing plan should be part of your business plan and be a roadmap to your goals. 

A good marketing plan for your self publishing business includes the following elements:

Target market

• Who is your target market?
• What do these customers have in common?
• How many of them are there?
• How can you best reach them with your message or product?

Customer base 

• Who are your current customers? 
• Where did they come from (i.e., referrals)?
• How can their experience with your self publishing business help make them repeat customers, consumers, visitors, subscribers, or advocates for other people in their network or industry who might also benefit from using this service, product, or brand?

Product or service description

• How does it work, what features does it have, and what are its benefits?
• Can anyone use this product or service regardless of age or gender?
• Can anyone visually see themselves using this product or service?
• How will they feel when they do so? If so, how long will the feeling last after purchasing (or trying) the product/service for the first time?

Competitive analysis

• Which companies are competing with yours today (and why)? 
• Which ones may enter into competition with yours tomorrow if they find out about it now through word-of-mouth advertising; social media networks; friends' recommendations; etc.)
• What specific advantages does each competitor offer over yours currently?

Marketing channels

• Which marketing channel do you intend to leverage to attract new customers?
• What is your estimated marketing budget needed?
• What is the projected cost to acquire a new customer?
• How many of your customers do you instead will return?

Form an LLC in your state!

4. Write Your Operational Plan.

Next, you'll need to build your operational plan. This section describes the type of business you'll be running, and includes the steps involved in your operations. 

In it, you should list:

• The equipment and facilities needed
• Who will be involved in the business (employees, contractors)
• Financial requirements for each step
• Milestones & KPIs
• Location of your business
• Zoning & permits required for the business

What equipment, supplies, or permits are needed to run a self publishing business?

• Computer and printer
• Writing software
• Design software (e.g. Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator)
• ISBN/Barcode/Library of Congress numbers
• Paperback and hardcover book covers
• Self-publishing service provider (e.g. CreateSpace, IngramSpark, Lulu)
• Marketing and promotional materials (e.g. business cards, postcards, flyers)
• Copyright registration or licensing permits if needed

5. Management & Organization of Your Self Publishing Business.

The second part of your self publishing business plan is to develop a management and organization section.

This section will cover all of the following:

• How many employees you need in order to run your self publishing business. This should include the roles they will play (for example, one person may be responsible for managing administrative duties while another might be in charge of customer service).
• The structure of your management team. The higher-ups like yourself should be able to delegate tasks through lower-level managers who are directly responsible for their given department (inventory and sales, etc.).
• How you’re going to make sure that everyone on board is doing their job well. You’ll want check-ins with employees regularly so they have time to ask questions or voice concerns if needed; this also gives you time to offer support where necessary while staying informed on how things are going within individual departments too!

6. Self Publishing Business Startup Expenses & Captial Needed.

This section should be broken down by month and year. If you are still in the planning stage of your business, it may be helpful to estimate how much money will be needed each month until you reach profitability.

Typically, expenses for your business can be broken into a few basic categories:

Startup Costs

Startup costs are typically the first expenses you will incur when beginning an enterprise. These include legal fees, accounting expenses, and other costs associated with getting your business off the ground. The amount of money needed to start a self publishing business varies based on many different variables, but below are a few different types of startup costs for a self publishing business.

Running & Operating Costs

Running costs refer to ongoing expenses related directly with operating your business over time like electricity bills or salaries paid out each month. These types of expenses will vary greatly depending on multiple variables such as location, team size, utility costs, etc.

Marketing & Sales Expenses

You should include any costs associated with marketing and sales, such as advertising and promotions, website design or maintenance. Also, consider any additional expenses that may be incurred if you decide to launch a new product or service line. For example, if your self publishing business has an existing website that needs an upgrade in order to sell more products or services, then this should be listed here.

7. Financial Plan & Projections

A financial plan is an important part of any business plan, as it outlines how the business will generate revenue and profit, and how it will use that profit to grow and sustain itself. To devise a financial plan for your self publishing business, you will need to consider a number of factors, including your start-up costs, operating costs, projected revenue, and expenses. 

Here are some steps you can follow to devise a financial plan for your self publishing business plan:

• Determine your start-up costs: This will include the cost of purchasing or leasing the space where you will operate your business, as well as the cost of buying or leasing any equipment or supplies that you need to start the business.
• Estimate your operating costs: Operating costs will include utilities, such as electricity, gas, and water, as well as labor costs for employees, if any, and the cost of purchasing any materials or supplies that you will need to run your business.
• Project your revenue: To project your revenue, you will need to consider the number of customers you expect to have and the average amount they will spend on each visit. You can use this information to estimate how much money you will make from selling your products or services.
• Estimate your expenses: In addition to your operating costs, you will need to consider other expenses, such as insurance, marketing, and maintenance. You will also need to set aside money for taxes and other fees.
• Create a budget: Once you have estimated your start-up costs, operating costs, revenue, and expenses, you can use this information to create a budget for your business. This will help you to see how much money you will need to start the business, and how much profit you can expect to make.
• Develop a plan for using your profit: Finally, you will need to decide how you will use your profit to grow and sustain your business. This might include investing in new equipment, expanding the business, or saving for a rainy day.

Frequently Asked Questions About Self Publishing Business Plans:

Why do you need a business plan for a self publishing business.

A business plan for a self publishing business can provide structure and guidance when setting up the business, presenting data, and making decisions. It can also be used to attract investors and demonstrate the viability, objectivity, and profitability potential of the business. Additionally, a comprehensive business plan can help you stay on track and measure your progress as you launch and grow your self-publishing business.

Who should you ask for help with your self publishing business plan?

It is recommended to speak to a business consultant or a lawyer who has experience in helping with self publishing business plans. It may also be helpful to consult with other authors who have self-published their own books. The Small Business Administration (SBA) is a great resource for small business owners and can help provide information, resources, and advice to help create the right plan for your self-publishing business.

Can you write a self publishing business plan yourself?

Yes, it is possible to write a self publishing business plan yourself. Although it can be a lengthy and complicated process, it can be done. A sound business plan begins with research into the industry, market analysis, and understanding of what makes a successful business. You should also determine your goals and objectives, create strategies for achieving those goals, assess potential risks and create financial models. Additionally, you should be sure to document your sales and marketing strategies and have a plan for distribution. Lastly, you need to create an action plan so that you have a timeline of when each piece of your plan will be implemented. Writing a self-publishing business plan may involve some trial and error but with the right research and guidance there is no reason why it can't be done!

Related Business Plans

Home Inventory Business Plan Template & Guidebook

Home Inspection Business Plan Template & Guidebook

Home Decor Business Plan Template & Guidebook

Health And Wellness Business Plan Template & Guidebook

Hauling Business Plan Template & Guidebook

Hardware Business Plan Template & Guidebook

Handyman Business Plan Template & Guidebook

Hair Extension Business Plan Template & Guidebook

Handbag Business Plan Template & Guidebook

I'm Nick, co-founder of newfoundr.com, dedicated to helping aspiring entrepreneurs succeed. As a small business owner with over five years of experience, I have garnered valuable knowledge and insights across a diverse range of industries. My passion for entrepreneurship drives me to share my expertise with aspiring entrepreneurs, empowering them to turn their business dreams into reality.

Through meticulous research and firsthand experience, I uncover the essential steps, software, tools, and costs associated with launching and maintaining a successful business. By demystifying the complexities of entrepreneurship, I provide the guidance and support needed for others to embark on their journey with confidence.

From assessing market viability and formulating business plans to selecting the right technology and navigating the financial landscape, I am dedicated to helping fellow entrepreneurs overcome challenges and unlock their full potential. As a steadfast advocate for small business success, my mission is to pave the way for a new generation of innovative and driven entrepreneurs who are ready to make their mark on the world.

• Editor's Choice: Tech Gifts for Mom
• Amazon Prime Tech Deals!

Courses and Tutorials for DTP Training

Successful DTP professionals need creative and technical skills

• Animation & Video

What to Know

• Many brick-and-mortar colleges offer degrees in desktop publishing.
• To work in DTP, you need to know, at a minimum, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator.
• You can find online courses in DTP from sites like Lynda.com, Media Bistro, and Microsoft Virtual Academy.

Desktop publishing is the creation of digital files using page layout and image editing software, primarily for print publications. However, desktop publishing involves more than using the right software. If you are interested in this field, expect to see some overlap between print and online publications. There are several ways to acquire the necessary skills to work in DTP.

Education and Training in Publishing

A large number of online and brick-and-mortar colleges offer degrees in desktop publishing. Graphic design is a closely related skill set that is also taught at online, community, and four-year colleges. Look for these majors, as well as classes in electronic publishing, typography, logo design , and—if you plan to do much online work—web design and production.

It is likely any of these degree paths will expose you to the professional-level software programs that you'll need to work in this field. Becoming proficient in the necessary software is a basic and necessary step.

If the opportunity presents itself, accept an internship with a publishing company for hands-on experience.

DTP Software

To work in print publishing, you'll need expert skills in Adobe InDesign page layout software, Adobe Photoshop image editing software, and Adobe Illustrator vector illustration software. These three programs are used by most print facilities. Other similar programs—such as QuarkXPress, Corel Draw and Microsoft Publisher—are also used, and it can be helpful to become familiar with them if the opportunity arises.

Desktop publishers in the world of print usually don't code websites. However, they may be asked to design a logo that can be used on the web or to supply files that are web-compatible. Even if you do very little web work, a basic knowledge of HTML and electronic publishing is useful.

Online Training Opportunities

If your college days are behind you, there are plenty of online training possibilities to learn about DTP. Some of them are from professional training companies and some are from the manufacturers of the software programs used in desktop publishing. They include:

• Lynda.com  is an established commercial training company that offers an enormous selection of tutorials on all sorts of design, software, and web topics. They aren't free, but the company offers a 30-day free trial to newcomers. 
• Media Bistro  offers training for media professionals on a range of topics. The prices vary, but some of the classes are reasonably priced.
• InDesign Tutorials : Adobe offers free online tutorials for new users and for experienced users of its page layout software. Learn the basics or polish your skills with these short instructional videos.
• Photoshop Tutorials : The Photoshop vast instructional video library is rated for beginners and experienced operators alike. 
• Illustrator Tutorials : Learn how to design a logo or a web icon with Illustrator's free online tutorials. 
• Microsoft Virtual Academy hosts "HTML5 and CSS3 Fundamentals: Development for Absolute Beginners" and other videos.

Publishing Skills

A successful desktop publishing professional combines type, photos and graphics in an attractive page layout to accomplish a purpose. The necessary skills focus on:

• Graphic design : You don't need a degree in graphic design to do desktop publishing, but an understanding of the graphic design basics, including the elements and  principles of graphic design , will help you do better work as a visual communicator.
• Page layout : A good page layout communicates to the reader. It uses graphics and type to attract the eye and deliver a message. Understanding the basics of page layout—what works and what doesn't—can be better understood by looking at print publications and how they use headlines, graphics, images, and color to attract attention and keep the reader's attention. 
• Typography : A basic understanding of typography is essential to a good DTP design. Learn which typefaces are suitable for print, both text, and headlines, and which ones aren't. 
• Image manipulation : Desktop publishers are frequently asked to edit or otherwise manipulate photo images. This is where your Photoshop and Illustrator classes or tutorials come in handy. You need to understand and know when to use vector art and bitmap images .

This field is part creative and part technical. You'll spend only part of your time in each world but you need solid skills in each.

Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day

• How to Choose the Best Graphic Design Software
• Why Is Desktop Publishing Important?
• What Is Desktop Publishing Software?
• The 10 Best Free Online Classes for Adults in 2024
• 17 Best Graphic Design Software Options to Use in 2024
• What's the Best Software for Logo Design?
• Design Software
• The 9 Best Free Online Photography Classes of 2024
• Free Desktop Publishing Software for Windows
• The 15 Best Free AI Courses of 2024
• 5 Best AI Image Generators
• Callouts are Effective in Print and Web Design
• 11 Best Free Photo Editors
• How to Use Scribus Desktop Publishing Software
• The Best Alternatives to Adobe Creative Cloud for Designers
• Best Free Desktop Publishing Software for Mac

12 Profitable Desktop Publishing Business Ideas

If you are looking for desktop publishing business ideas to begin your path to entrepreneurship, you are in the right place.

With starting a desktop publishing business, there are plenty of opportunities that can help you follow your dreams and build a successful career. 

In this post, you will discover profitable business ideas, perfect for those who want to have a flexible job, capable of multiplying the average income, while becoming your own boss.

Check out the full list below to help you find your next idea!

Here they are:



1. Start a website development business

Website developers create websites for their clients. as a website developer, your responsibility is to ensure a website is visually appealing and easy to navigate. Web developers also focus on improving the website’s performance and capacity.

To become a website developer, learn different web programming languages. Your customers can be eCommerce business owners or brick-and-mortar businesses looking to have an online presence.

How much you can make: $200 — $350,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,750 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

How a founder turned his passion for marketing and technology into a successful Boston-based web design and SEO company, generating over $20k in sales each month by focusing on serving the niche market of small businesses through affordable and personalized services, while establishing his reputation through B2B networking and online initiatives.

2. Start a custom prints business

Custom print businesses often focus on printing everything, including business cards, photos, and even custom T-shirts.

To start an online custom prints business, choose a niche to help your business stand out and attract the right target audience. Then, focus on producing quality prints of different sizes, materials, and designs. You may hire designers online or search for designs in online design communities. Then, validate the designs before you begin mass production. Finally, set up an online store, and launch the business.

Remember that with the growth in popularity of selling custom prints, expect to face stiff competition. Therefore, you should market your custom prints on social media to maximize your reach.

How much you can make: $3,700 — $3,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $3,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 365 days (?)

Framed Tweets, an online store that offers customers the opportunity to frame tweets as art, started by grossing $20k in its first year and increasing to $110k in the second year, and now has monthly gross sales of $20k from Instagram ads, spending about $300 a day.

3. Start a branding agency

A branding agency helps create, develop, maintain and improve brands. The role of branding agencies is to create, plan, measure, and manage branding strategies for clients to support them in advertising and other promotions.

Business branding has always been a vital part of a business. With branding, businesses reach more customers daily and stay relevant to their existing customers. As companies compete to get more customers and remain relevant, there is a high demand for branding solutions.

Starting a branding agency can be a profitable and satisfying business venture. To start a branding agency, you must be able to weave together disparate pieces of data and information into compelling narratives so you can help a business convey its story or express its unique values and culture.

How much you can make: $3,000 — $741,666/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

How one founder started a luxury boutique branding house and quit her corporate job, becoming a successful entrepreneur with a team of contractors, interns, and VAs, expanding services to personal styling, social media management, and content creation, while building an online course and planning to become a community for female entrepreneurs.

4. Start a print communication business

5. become a graphic designer.

Graphic designing involves creating sketch designs and materials for corporate clients, advertising agencies, public relations firms, and publishers. Besides, graphic designers provide visual solutions to specific company images, log design, and branding problems.

Graphic design is an excellent career for creative thinkers who enjoy using their talent and artistic skills combined with technology and communication abilities to come up with unique solutions for their clients.

How much you can make: $8,000 — $81,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 165 days (?)

Draftss.com is a productized graphic design and front-end code service on subscription that made $66k ARR in 2019, has an MRR of $9.6k as of July 2020, and offers add-ons such as designers being added to team in interacting tools and front-end code services on WordPress using various page builders like Elementor and Divi.

6. Start a souvenir shop

A souvenir shop is a retail store that sells items that are typically associated with a particular place or event. These items can range from t-shirts and hats to postcards and magnets.

To start a souvenir shop, you must find a suitable location, such as a busy tourist destination or a famous shopping center. You will also need to purchase inventory, such as souvenirs and other novelty items, and attractively display them. You may also need to invest in marketing materials, such as signage and social media advertising, to attract customers.

To operate a souvenir shop, you must keep track of your inventory and restock as needed. You should also keep track of your sales and expenses to ensure your business is profitable. Customer service is also essential in this type of business, as you will interact with people from different parts of the world.

Overall, a souvenir shop can be a fun and rewarding business idea for those who enjoy interacting with people and showcasing unique products. If you are interested in starting your souvenir shop, do thorough research and seek advice from experienced business owners. Good luck!

7. Start a large prints design business

8. start an ebook formatting business.

How much you can make: $17,000/month

How long does it take to build: 450 days (?)

Praveen Malik shares how he started a $17k per month project management blog business in 2016 with negligible revenue, and grew his gross profit margin to about 80% by selling his own eBooks and marketing third-party training programs through his blog.

9. Become a painter/decorator business

A painter/decorator business is a company that provides painting and decorating services to residential and commercial properties. This business involves preparing surfaces for painting, mixing and applying paint, and completing various decorating tasks such as hanging wallpaper or installing crown molding.

To run a successful painter/decorator business, it is essential to have a strong work ethic and attention to detail. You should also have a good understanding of color theory and be able to recommend appropriate paint colors for different spaces. Having excellent customer service skills is also essential, as building good relationships with clients is crucial for generating repeat business.

To attract clients, creating a website and social media presence is advisable to showcase your work and provide contact information. You should also consider offering competitive pricing and ensuring that your work is completed on time and to a high standard. It is also a good idea to have insurance coverage in case of any accidents or damages during the course of your work.

Starting a painter/decorator business can be a rewarding and fulfilling opportunity for entrepreneurs with an eye for detail and a passion for creating beautiful spaces.

How much does it cost to start: $125 (?)

10. Start a cartoonist business

How much you can make: $100 — $4,700/month

How much does it cost to start: $475 (?)

Avatoon.net founders share how they started a $4.7k/month business selling custom hand-drawn avatars and grew to an average of $5,000 per month with ~100 clients through SEO-focused marketing and serving returning companies.

11. Start an office supplies business

How much you can make: $500,000 — $749,997/month

How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)

Branch Office Furniture offers a new approach to the office furniture industry, selling high-quality furniture directly to businesses with space design, delivery, and installation included at one-third to one-half of the price of comparable quality products, resulting in over $1M in sales since launching in Q1 of 2019.

12. Start a desktop publishing tutorials business

• 4,818 founder case studies
• Access to our founder directory
• Live events, courses and recordings
• 8,628 business ideas
• $1M in software savings

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.

Join our free newsletter to get unlimited access to all startup data. We just need your email:

Check your email

If there's a Starter Story account associated with that email you'll get an email with a link to automatically log in. The link will expire in 15 minutes.

Your existing password still works, should you want to log in with it later.

With Starter Story, you can see exactly how online businesses get to millions in revenue.

Dive into our database of 4,418 case studies & join our community of thousands of successful founders.

Join our free newsletter to get access now. We just need your email:

The 10 Best Desktop Publishing Software for Document Layout Design

Uncover the perfect desktop publishing software for you from our top recommendations.

Sabri Tuzcu/ Unsplash

Quick Links

What is desktop publishing software.

• Adobe InDesign
• Affinity Publisher 2
• Microsoft Publisher
• VistaCreate
• Design Huddle
• Swift Publisher
• QuarkXPress

Desktop publishing software is an important component of graphic design and print design. However, with so many options available, it can be hard to know which desktop publishing software is best for your needs. Thankfully, we're here to guide you through the top choices.

Desktop publishing software—or DTP software—are specialist design programs for visual layout design. Many DTP software require paid subscriptions or premium fees, but there are good free options available.

Desktop publishing software differs from word processing software, but they fall under the same umbrella. Word processing software is for creating text documents, while DTP software makes the information visually pleasing, so the form matches the function.

DTP software is great for creating posters, eBook or traditional book layouts, brochures, printed stationery, cover art for digital and printed media, and more. You can create digital layout designs with desktop publishers when required, but the focus is on print-based design.

1. Adobe InDesign

Adobe InDesign provides Adobe’s standard user interface and its powerful design system for desktop publishing success. Adobe is considered the industry standard of graphic design tools, and InDesign is up in the ranks for DTP software.

InDesign can integrate with other Adobe products—you can easily incorporate Illustrator layouts and package assets from Photoshop into your InDesign artboards.

InDesign's layers panel, grid system, and text tools are helpful in creating beautiful and functional layouts. You can also use its master page function and page tools for all different layout types before finalizing your design into print-ready formats for high-quality results.

Unfortunately, InDesign falls under the Adobe subscription model that often deters amateur designers. You can subscribe to InDesign alone for $19.99/month, or get it as part of the All Apps plan for $59.99/month. Adobe offers a 7-day free trial for new users.

2. Affinity Publisher 2

Serif Affinity Publisher has the power of integrated design systems without costly overheads. In 2022, Affinity released version 2 of its products , including Affinity Publisher 2. For on-the-go layout design, Affinity Publisher 2 is also available for iPad.

Affinity Publisher 2 provides seamless software collaboration across the suite. It boasts multiple export and import formats, including its own Affinity file format, increasing efficiency across the Affinity suite.

Affinity Publisher 2 offers great DTP features including master page options, presets and templates, Publisher document merging, professional typography support, helpful design aids, and vector support. The features are everything a DTP needs.

You can buy a single license for Affinity Publisher 2 for $60. You can also buy the Affinity V2 universal license with all Affinity software for $160. Affinity offers a free 30-day trial.

Canva offers many tools to create beautiful documents, including Canva Docs, which helps you create attractive documents for print and digital use. You can also use Canva's Docs to Decks feature to repurpose your designs into beautiful presentations.

Canva’s template options start you off on the right path to a great design. You can also design from scratch using native tools or by importing assets into Canva.

Canva’s desktop publisher has collaboration options that save time and improve communication. You’ll also enjoy Canva’s large AI toolbox, including the Magic Write tool and text-to-image, and its print store for direct printing of your layout designs.

There is a free version, and you can get the Canva Pro annual plan for $199.99.

4. Microsoft Publisher

You may consider Microsoft Publisher one of the original desktop publishing apps, but with the rise of design software taking over, it’s taken a back seat since. But Microsoft Publisher is still a powerhouse for desktop layout design and deserves its place on this list.

Part of the Microsoft Office Suite, Publisher can help you fit your information into a design layout for important documents. Publisher is a great option for everyday users and those not coming from specific graphic design backgrounds. You can easily create greeting cards, brochures, and invitations using this software.

Microsoft Publisher is only available for Windows. You can buy Microsoft Publisher for $159.99 for use on one PC. It is also available as part of Microsoft 365—available from $69.99/year for a personal plan.

5. VistaCreate

VistaCreate offers a free and pro version, both of which offer plenty to get you started with your desktop publishing designs. You can access templates for layout designs across social media, digital applications, and some printed collateral templates.

Along with layout-building tools, VistaCreate also offers image editing options to enhance your publishing designs. It provides libraries of photos, videos, vectors, and pre-designed templates. You can also print directly with VistaPrint after creating your layout design.

Get VistaCreate for free with limited features or get the Pro subscription for $10/month.

Prezi is a renowned online presentation software, but it fits the bill as successful desktop publishing software, too. While DTP software is largely used for print-based publishing, such as layouts for books, brochures, or large-scale print designs, Prezi offers a digital-only approach to creating beautiful online presentations and business-use collateral.

Easily create multipage spreads from one of Prezi’s templates, or you can create designs from scratch and realize your creative vision. You can easily create infographics, presentations, and videos with Prezi.

Prezi offers a free basic account. Subscription to the premium software starts at $7/month for a standard account, and there is a 15-day free trial.

7. Design Huddle

Design Huddle is an all-in-one premium desktop publisher that supports your digital, print, video, and slide deck needs.

It features generative AI for adding new imagery to your layout designs, and it also offers standard layout design features such as typography, image and video libraries, PDF conversion into fully editable templates, and password protection with embed support. Moreover, it offers a developer toolkit and creative automation tools for you to take advantage of.

Design Huddle is available from $500/month and is best suited for industry professionals.

8. Swift Publisher

BeLight’s Swift Publisher is a Mac-only desktop publishing software that is affordable and offers solutions for all page layout requirements.

Although the layout is simple, there is a short learning curve to understand its intricacies. Features include master pages, a two-page spread view, creative text tools, integrated Apple apps, and a free asset library.

Swift Publisher offers an unlimited free trial, but your documents are saved with a watermark. You can buy Swift Publisher for $19.99.

Scribus is a free and open-source desktop publisher for layout design that offers DTP solutions for Linux, BSD UNIX, Solaris, OpenIndiana, GNU/Hurd, OS/2 Warp 4, eComStation, Mac OS X, and Windows users. While its interface is a little outdated, its universal usage opens up desktop publishing to anyone.

Scribus' essential desktop publishing tools include spot colors—which are integral for creating spot UV print designs —CMYK options, ICC color management for your print needs, as well as PDF creation. These tools combine everything needed for designing and printing successful layout designs.

10. QuarkXPress

QuarkXPress has long been an industry standard for design studios and print houses. However, it has fallen to the wayside since InDesign became popular.

Released in 1987, QuarkXPress paved the way for printed designs created with grid systems and collaborated pages. While it’s still used today, it’s more often seen in industry studios, such as marketing or print factories.

QuarkXPress still has a place on the desktop publisher map, even with newer, faster options available. XPress offers PDF creation, text tools, image asset placements, and multipage document designs.

In 2020, QuarkXPress began offering a subscription model alongside its perpetual license model. You can subscribe to QuarkXpress for $259/year, and the perpetual license is $699. You can also take advantage of the 7-day free trial.

Whether designing professionally, as a hobby, or to learn a new skill, there is DTP software to suit both your needs and budget.

• Company Overview
• Client Wins
• Proposal Center
• Proposal Development
• Market Assessment
• Business Development
• Capture Management
• Orals Coaching
• Graphic Design & Desktop Publishing

Key Solutions Blog

How to use basic desktop publishing (dtp) skills to make a proposal template.

Jun 30, 2022

Desktop Publishing (DTP) is required before every proposal is submitted to ensure the proposal is presented in a visually pleasing manner, the information is presented in an easy-to-understand format, and the proposal complies with the solicitation requirements.

Properly implemented, DTP requires advanced knowledge of page layout software (such as Microsoft Word or Adobe InDesign), as well as knowledge of the principles of graphic design and page layout design . However, any proposal professional can learn the basic principles and tools of desktop publishing that are necessary to make a visually appealing, compliant proposal.   

This article will demonstrate the basic desktop publishing skills needed to make a reusable proposal template. The template will include all elements needed for a compliant proposal. We will also provide mini video tutorials for performing basic desktop publishing tasks.

The tutorials will provide demonstrations on using Microsoft Word because of its accessibility and popularity within the government proposal industry. A downloadable proposal template will be included at the end of the article.  

We will cover the following topics:  

• What is desktop publishing?
• Why is desktop publishing important for proposals?   
• What software should be used for desktop publishing?
• What are the must-have desktop publishing skills for all proposal professionals?

While desktop publishing—similar to writing, editing, and graphic design—should be performed by a dedicated desktop publisher that has specialized skills and expertise to do it properly, it is still useful for proposal professionals to know the basics of desktop publishing for the following reasons:  

• Not all proposal teams have a full-time desktop publisher; having basic knowledge of desktop publishing allows you to be able to create a proposal template.  
• Knowing desktop publishing skills makes it infinitely easier to create critical proposal elements such as tables of contents, numbered headings , headers, and footers, and elements that enhance the visual appeal of a proposal, like colorful tables, callout boxes/hotboxes , and simple graphics.   
• Proposal professionals who use basic desktop publishing principles will avoid making formatting mistakes in a document, which can cause costly time delays for teams with or without a dedicated desktop publisher. Consequently, less time spent on desktop publishing means there is more time in the proposal life cycle for writing and reviews, which can improve the quality of a proposal.   
• Writers who understand desktop publishing and Word’s advanced tools are able to work on a document more easily and produce a better proposal.  

Therefore, it is beneficial for proposal writers and managers in proposal teams of all sizes to know the basics of desktop publishing.   

What is desktop publishing?  

Desktop publishing is the art of using specialized software to visually display information, either for physical print (such as books, magazines, pamphlets, etc.) or online distribution (electronic documents, web pages, etc.).

If you have ever adjusted the position of a graphic on a page, bolded a header to make it stand out more, or changed the color of a table to make it look nicer, then you have done a basic form of desktop publishing. In proposal development, desktop publishing is used to ensure proposal content is:  

• Readable and accessible  
• Communicating information effectively  
• Visually appealing and incorporates the submitting company’s branding  
• Compliant with solicitation requirements  

Desktop publishing functions can also include formatting a print proposal for production , which may require different formatting from an entirely electronic proposal. For example, inside margins may have to be extended to allow for hole punches so a proposal can be bound in a binder. Also, some colors may have to be adjusted if they are not as visible in a print document as they are on a screen.   

In the proposal development life cycle, desktop publishing occurs as an iterative process similar to editing. Desktop publishing should be used to establish a compliant proposal template before writing begins, and to clean up formatting before the red team review , before the gold team review, and before submission.

This schedule ensures the document is in its best state for reviewers for each review, and that any last-minute formatting mistakes are caught before submission. Desktop publishing usually must be conducted with all other contributors exited from a document (if using SharePoint or other collaborative platforms), as simultaneous changes can corrupt document formatting.   

  Because desktop publishing takes time, and proposal writing activities must cease as it is being conducted, it is imperative to minimize the time needed for desktop publishing. Having writers that know how to use a template properly can greatly reduce the time a desktop publisher needs to spend fixing a document’s formatting.   

A well-formatted proposal leverages the formatting of text, graphics, tables, page layout, and other desktop publishing elements to emphasize important information and make it easy for the reviewer to read and understand. A desktop publisher must be able to use page layout software to generate tables of contents, figures, tables, headers and footers, cross-references, and other elements that are needed in a proposal.  

Why is desktop publishing important for proposals?

Additionally, desktop publishing is used to format a proposal, so it complies with solicitation ( Request for Proposal ( RFP ) / Request for Quote ( RFQ ) ) requirements . M ost often, RFPs will specify requirements for margins, font types, font sizes, and page counts.

The table below shows some of the visual aspects of a layout that can affect the overall presentation of a proposal:

What software should be used for desktop publishing?  

The U.S. Federal proposal industry most often uses Word for desktop publishing and will therefore be the subject of the tutorials in this article. Performing desktop publishing effectively in Word requires a deeper knowledge of the program than average users have. The following tutorials will demonstrate some of Word’s most useful advanced functions.   

  Using web applications like Google Docs or Word Online for proposal writing and performing desktop publishing is not recommended , as these applications lack the advanced functions needed to format a complex document. In addition, DO NOT edit documents in Word Online after working in the Word Desktop App, as this can corrupt document formatting —it is best to avoid using Word Online entirely if desktop publishing is necessary.  

What are the basic desktop publishing skills for all proposal professionals?  

1. Complying with RFP requirements

Before demonstrating how to accomplish specific desktop publishing tasks, we will discuss which tasks need to be done for every proposal to comply with solicitation requirements . These tasks should be applied to the template before writing begins in the template. All writers should be made aware of these requirements to refrain from reformatting content which could make the proposal non-compliant.  

The following includes the most common formatting settings that a solicitation will specify requirements for:  

• Complying with specified font styles and sizes is critical—don’t get thrown out for non-compliance over formatting  
• Set templates to meet font style and size requirements  
• Ensure graphics meet font styles and sizes (during reviews, overlay graphics with a text box to check font size)

Margins and page sizes 

• Ensure margins and page sizes comply with formatting requirements by using the correct settings in the template
• For a document with multiple sections that have different page limit requirements (for instance, a technical volume that includes technical, management, and staffing sections that each have different page limits), set up section breaks that will restart page numbering for each section to enable evaluators to track the length of each section.

2. Using page breaks and section breaks  

Page breaks are used to separate text on one page from the text on another page. You can insert a page break using the keyboard command CTRL + Enter, or using the “layout” tab.  

Section breaks are used when you need to restart page numbering for a new section, change a header or footer, or change the page layout options (such as margins, orientation, size, etc.) of a section without affecting the rest of the document.   

At a minimum, a proposal document should have two sections. Material such as cover pages, table of contents, glossaries, and other front matter that is outside of page count and precedes the main section of the proposal should be in a separate section, with separate page numbering, from the rest of the document. Appendices should also be kept in their own section.   

3. Setting the page size  

  The standard page size in North America is letter (8.5” x 11”), while the standard page size internationally is A4 (8.27” x 11.69”). Word will automatically set the default page size to letter or A4, depending on what country you are in. As such, you will most likely only need to adjust a page size if you are creating an outsize page for a large chart or graphic if this is allowed by the page size restrictions described in the solicitation.  

  Some proposals or proposal sections allow outsize pages for charts or graphics. You can make custom-sized pages by changing the page size settings, but only if the page is in its own, separate section; otherwise, you will change the page size settings of the entire document.  

  Page orientation refers to the direction that pages face; portrait orientation means a page is longest vertically, while landscape means it is longest horizontally.   

By default, Word sets a document to portrait orientation. The only time you will need to make pages landscape is for certain large, full-page charts or graphics (such as a large organization chart). Just like changing individual page sizes, however, you will need to make a separate section to make pages a different orientation from the rest of the document.  

  Margins are the space between the edges of a page and the area in which visual content is placed on a page. Typically, in proposals, margins will be set to 1” on the top, bottom, and left and right of the page; this is also the default setting in Word.

Body text, graphics, and other text and objects that constitute the main content of a document MUST remain inside page margins. However, headers and footers, including page numbers, should be placed OUTSIDE of page margins, which Word does automatically.   

6. Creating headers and footers  

Headers and footers are content placed above a page’s top margin (header) and below a page’s bottom margin (footer). Information in headers and footers isn’t directly related to the body text on the page, but tells the reader other important information:  

• Provides the reader a reminder of where they are in the document (e.g., page numbers and section name/numbers)  
• Provides metadata about the document, reminding the reader of high-level information about the document (e.g., the name/title of the document, including the volume name and number, information about the solicitation or submitting company and their logo, information about the organization the proposal is being submitted to, the RFQ number)  
• Includes messages of confidentiality or disclaimers that are required on every page, either by RFQ requirements or the submitting company’s needs   

If allowed by the formatting requirements of the RFP, headers, and footers should be formatted using a smaller font size (about 2 pts smaller than the body text), a different font than the body text, and even a different color to distinguish it visually from the main content of the document. This prevents headers and footers from distracting the reader from the main content.  

Important Note: If you need a header or footer in one section of a document to be different from another, you must disable “link to previous.” You may have to do this if you need to restart page numbering for a new section or an appendix, or if you need to adjust the header and footer to fit an outsize page. Keep in mind that you can only make headers and footers different from other sections, not different from pages in the same section.  

7. Inserting page numbers  

Page numbers can go in headers or footers, but they tend to be placed in footers. Page numbers, if inserted properly, automatically list the number for each page in the document. You can configure separate sections (for example, a technical approach and a staffing plan) to restart page numbering within a single document—this is useful when proposal sections have page limits, as it makes it easier for both writers and the reviewers to see how long a section is.  

8. Creating, updating, and applying styles  

Styles are used to automatically format selected text with the following characteristics: font, font size, color, spacing, indents, and more. It is easy to apply styles; simply click on a line or paragraph, or highlight the text to be formatted, and select the desired style, and Word will automatically apply the characteristics of that style to the selected text.   

I t is impossible to overstate the importance of knowing how to use styles properly in a document.   

  In Word, many important automated features rely on using styles, such as:  

• Generating tables of contents and lists of tables and figures   
• Navigating using Word’s navigation pane   
• Making numbered headings  

Additionally, if styles are used properly, in less than a minute you can change the font style and size of specific text elements in the document (such as the body text), while leaving headings and other elements alone. This is a great time saver when editing long documents and also improves the document’s consistency through automation.   

  Fortunately, Word already has built-in styles that can be used as they are, or easily customized for your purposes and your company’s branding. These built-in styles are configured to support the automatic functions discussed above. There are, however, certain styles you will have to make from scratch; this is a fairly easy process.  

There are two methods for creating and modifying styles.   

• Using existing text that you have formatted with the desired font and paragraph settings.  
• Using the “modify style” dialogue box.  

For most tasks, either method will produce the same results, and it is up to you which you prefer to use. However, producing certain text effects, like adding a colored border to a header, is easier using the “modify style” dialogue box. These videos show the basics of each method: 

The following outlines wh ich styles you need to have a functioning proposal template and provides video tutorials for how to create each .   

Copying and pasting material incorrectly into a document can cause style settings from another document to be imported into the proposal template, which can break the styles in your proposal document. As such, you always need to copy and paste text and tables without formatting. If enough problems are caused by imported styles and settings, you may be forced to move the proposal to a new, clean template, which is exceedingly time-consuming. So, ultimately, copying and pasting material correctly saves time that would be otherwise wasted fixing errors.   

When pasting in text from another document, right-click and select the “keep text only” option. This ensures text adopts styles in the new document and does not import styles from the old document. Pasting text this way will remove formatting like bolding, italics, and underlining from the original material; be sure to reformat the text in the new document if you want to preserve this formatting.

b. Copying and pasting tables

When pasting in tables from another document, you must also use the “keep text only” option. However, this will paste the text-only and remove the table structure. You can reconstruct the table by using the “convert text to table” tool, found in the “insert” tab under “tables”. This feature will create a table using a specified number of columns and will separate text into different cells based on typographical marks (typographical marks are typically hidden but can be viewed using the “show/hide” tool under the “home” tab).

If this tool does not recreate the table properly, you may have to reconstruct the table manually.

It is best to insert graphics from a file, instead of copying and pasting them in from another source, as this preserves the size and resolution of the original graphic. Graphics artists should be instructed to create graphics using specific dimensions, so they do not have to be resized when inserted into a document. Graphics should not be resized for two reasons:  

• The graphic’s resolution may be distorted, making the graphic blurry or difficult to read; low-resolution graphics also make a layout look unprofessional.  
• The font size may be changed and become non-compliant.   

According to the needs of the proposal section, graphics should be created to fit a specific size (such as a quarter page or half page) or to fit a certain size margin (for a typical document with 1” margins all around on letter-size paper, the widest a graphic can be is 6.5”), and with a minimum font size (if one is dictated by RFP requirements).  

After being inserted into the document, you can change the layout options for a graphic to format how body text wraps around it. For graphics that span the full width of a page, use the “in-line with text” layout option. For smaller graphics, use the “square” or “tight” layout option with text wrapping, so that the main text of the document surrounds the graphic.   

Keep in mind that graphics and tables, like body text, must remain within page margins to be compliant.   

11. Inserting figure/table captions and cross-references  

  Figure/table captions , as described earlier, identify figures/tables using a number. In proposals, these should include an action caption  and a description of the meaning or significance of the graphic.  

Cross-references are references in body text to a figure/table, heading, or other section in a document that directs the reader elsewhere in the text to supplementary material. Most editing style guides recommend that figures/tables be referred to at least once in the body text.  

Word has a tool in the “references” tab that enables users to insert numbered captions for figures and tables automatically and add cross-references to figures in the body text. Using this feature enables the automatic generation of a list of figures and/or a list of tables ( see “Insert table of contents, list of figures, and list of tables” for how to insert lists of figures and tables ). While it is possible to automatically generate lists of figures and tables without using this feature, this is the simplest method. In addition, using this tool automatically updates figure/table numbers throughout a document as additional figures and captions are added, and makes it easy to update cross-references that were placed in the body text (a cross-reference number can be updated by right-clicking on it).  

12. Inserting a table of contents, list of figures, and list of tables  

  These tables/lists are often required by RFPs and are typically considered outside of page count. They should be placed after the cover page and before the main section of a document.   

  Tables of contents and lists of figures tables can be generated automatically if built-in paragraph styles are used, or were customized, for a template. In Word, any text formatted using one of the built-in heading styles can be included in a table of contents. You can specify the number of heading levels that will be included in the table of contents; by default, Word shows three (using a typical numbered heading approach, this would show 1.0, 1.1, and 1.1.1). For lists of tables and figures, any text formatted with the Caption style will show up in the list.   

•  Keeping figure and table titles while removing captions from lists of figures and          tables: 

Some proposal teams prefer to keep only the figure/table titles in lists of figures and tables and avoid including the entire caption. In order to do this, the text of the caption must be made a different style than the title—however, you must use a special tool called the Style Separator to use two different styles in one paragraph. This tool is not accessible via the default tabs and toolbars in Microsoft Word, but it is easy to add. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Alt + Enter to add in a style separator.   

The following video will demonstrate how to add the style separator to an accessible toolbar, and how to use the style separator to remove captions from lists of figures and tables.   

Conclusion  

These simple tools allow anyone to build a simple, useable proposal template with all the elements needed to make a professional-looking, compliant proposal and enable proposal writers to easily use and navigate a premade template without breaking the formatting. While it’s best to have a desktop publishing expert on-hand to create and fix document templates, you now have enough expertise in Word to perform typical layout tasks.

For additional training, please use the template that was built using the video tutorials. This can be used to check the settings used in the tutorial and for additional practice. Or you can customize it and use it for your proposals.  

Topics: Proposal Graphics and Desktop Publishing Desktop Publishing proposal template

Written by Cosette Puckett, CF APMP

Cosette Puckett is a Proposal Development professional. A jack of all trades, her proposal skills range from writing and editing to desktop publishing and graphic design. She is interested in learning and identifying the best practices and methods used to develop successful proposals, and enjoys teaching these processes to proposal professionals. In her spare time, she uses her editing and graphic design skills to support her family’s small, indie publishing company.

Previous Post

Five Things That Will Lead to a Higher Scoring Proposal

How to Manage Document Recovery for a Stronger Proposal

Post a Comment

Subscribe to our blog, lists by topic.

• Proposal Writing (47)
• Proposal Management (41)
• KSI Advantage Capture & Proposal Guide (13)
• Capture Management (12)
• KSI Advantage (12)
• Proposal Development Process (12)
• Government Contracting (10)
• Small Business (10)
• Color Team Reviews (9)
• Proposal Development (8)
• Proposal Graphics (7)
• Small Business Guide to GovCon (7)
• Task Orders (7)
• Business Development (6)
• Contract Recompetes (6)
• How to get started in GovCon (6)
• Proposal Career Development (6)
• Category Management (5)
• Proposal Consulting Best Practices (5)
• Proposal Evaluation (5)
• Proposal Graphics and Desktop Publishing (5)
• Compliance (4)
• Desktop Publishing (4)
• Graphic Design (4)
• Proposal Development Training (4)
• Third Party Assessment (4)
• Bid Decision and Pursuit (3)
• Content Repository (3)
• IDIQ Proposals (3)
• Past Performance (3)
• Proof Points (3)
• Proposal Plan Development (3)
• Proposal Process (3)
• Proposal Reviews (3)
• Proposal Strategy (3)
• APMP Foundation Certification (2)
• Capture Planning (2)
• Developing a Technical Solution (2)
• Executive Summary (2)
• Federal Budget (2)
• Federal Opportunity Lifecycle (2)
• GWAC Contracts (2)
• Holiday Content (2)
• Leadership (2)
• Opportunity Pipeline (2)
• Oral Proposals (2)
• Orals Coaching (2)
• Post Award Debriefs (2)
• Pre-RFP Planning (2)
• Professional Development (2)
• Proposal Compliance (2)
• Proposal Newbies (2)
• Proposal Production (2)
• Proposal Professional Certification (2)
• Red Team Review (2)
• Resume Writing (2)
• Subject Matter Experts (2)
• What is an IDIQ (2)
• Win Strategy (2)
• proposal template (2)
• Agile Proposal Development (1)
• Bid/ No-Bid Strategy (1)
• Collaborative Proposal Software (1)
• Contractor Performance (1)
• Cost Proposals (1)
• Daily Stand Up Meetings (1)
• Data Calls (1)
• Editing (1)
• Federal Procurement (1)
• Gate Reviews (1)
• GovCon Marketing (1)
• Government Design (1)
• How Do You Respond to an IDIQ (1)
• How to Create a Proposal Outline (1)
• How to Win a Recompete (1)
• How to deal with turnover (1)
• How to layout proposal graphics (1)
• Incumbency (1)
• Interviewing SMEs (1)
• KSI Rescue Squad (1)
• Management Approach (1)
• Management Section (1)
• Multiple Award Task Order Contracts (1)
• Opportunity Shaping (1)
• Oral Proposal Presentations (1)
• Outline Development (1)
• Pricing (1)
• Proposal Consulting Team (1)
• Proposal Content Library (1)
• Proposal Content Management (1)
• Proposal Debrief (1)
• Proposal Kickoff Meeting (1)
• Proposal Management Plan (1)
• Proposal Project Management Tools (1)
• Proposal Schedule (1)
• Proposal Support and Rescue Training (1)
• Proposal Team Turnover (1)
• Proposal Writing Template (1)
• Quick Turn Proposals (1)
• RFP Shaping (1)
• SLED Proposals (1)
• Section Theme Statement (1)
• Selecting Key Personnel (1)
• Self-Assessment Solicitations (1)
• Self-Scoring Bids (1)
• Self-Scoring Solicitations (1)
• Staffing Plan (1)
• Storyboarding for Proposals (1)
• Teaming Agreements (1)
• Technical Approach (1)
• Technical Solution (1)
• Understanding RFP Sections (1)
• Understanding an RFP (1)
• What is a MATOC (1)

Posts by Topic

Key Solutions, Inc. (KSI) is a consulting firm that helps companies win government contracts through bid and proposal development services.

Learn More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]

Useful Links

[fa icon="phone"]  (703) 953-3838

[fa icon="envelope"]    [email protected]

[fa icon="home"]  14420 Albemarle Point Place, Suite 200, Chantilly Virginia

[fa icon="linkedin-square"] [fa icon="twitter-square"]  

[fa icon="facebook-square"].

70+ Profitable Desktop Publishing Business Ideas for Entrepreneurs

Desktop publishing businesses create visually appealing content using computer software. They design things like logos, brochures, and social media graphics.

Some businesses focus on specific services like creating templates for others to use. Freelancers in this field work on various projects for clients.

They can also teach others how to use desktop publishing software through training sessions. In today’s digital world, where good design is crucial, desktop publishing businesses play a vital role, making them a promising venture for those interested in creative work.

In This Article

Lucrative Desktop Publishing Business ideas 

 graphic design services.

Graphic design is the backbone of the desktop publishing industry. 

From creating eye-catching logos to designing stunning marketing, graphic designers play a vital role in bringing ideas to life ? . 

By offering graphic design services, you can cater to individuals and businesses seeking visually appealing solutions.

For example, you could specialize in designing logos for startups or crafting visually captivating social media posts ?.

To differentiate yourself from the competition, concentrate on specialization. 

You can establish yourself as an authority and draw clients looking for your distinctive approach by improving your talents in a particular field.

Customized Stationery

In today’s digital age, there is still something magical about receiving a beautifully crafted piece of stationery. You can tap into people’s desire for personalization and nostalgia by offering customized stationery services.

 Create elegant wedding invitations, bespoke greeting cards, or sophisticated business stationery ?. 

Your artistic touch will help individuals and organizations make a lasting impression. 

Consider leveraging the power of social media platforms, such as the platforms like Instagram and Pinterest, to showcase your stunning designs and attract potential customers.

E-book Formatting

With the rise of e-books and self-publishing, authors constantly seek professional assistance to ensure their manuscripts shine in the digital world. 

Offering e-book formatting services can be a lucrative opportunity for desktop publishers ? .

 You can help authors navigate the complex and multifaceted technical nuances of producing a visually appealing and user-friendly digital publication if you become an expert in e-book formatting. 

To produce top-notch outcomes, be informed of the most recent trends and features of the various e-book platforms. 

Work together with writers to make a final result that has been carefully developed and perfectly captures the spirit and center of their literary masterwork.

Digital Magazine Publication

In the era of digital media, niche magazines cater to specialized interests, providing valuable content to passionate readers. 

By launching a digital magazine publication, you can curate fascinating articles, stunning visuals, and engaging multimedia for a specific target audience ?  .

Choose a niche that perfectly aligns with your interests and expertise, whether it’s fashion, travel, technology, or any other passion. 

Monetize your publication through subscriptions, sponsored content, and partnerships with relevant brands. 

Build a dedicated readership by consistently delivering high-quality content and promoting your magazine through social media and targeted advertising.

Infographic Creation 

In the age of information overload, presenting data in a visually appealing and digestible format is crucial ? .

Enter the world of infographic creation, where you can breathe life into complex information by crafting engaging visual narratives.

 Offer infographic design services to businesses, educators, and content creators seeking to communicate their data in a visually captivating manner. 

Transform statistics, research findings, and complex concepts into stunning visuals that simplify information and enhance understanding.

 You can position yourself as an invaluable asset in digital publishing by showcasing your ability to distill complex ideas into visually compelling infographics.

Creative Resume And Portfolio Design

In today’s competitive job market, individuals constantly seek the best ways to ?stand out. 

Help job seekers and professionals make a memorable impression with creatively designed resumes and portfolios.

Offer personalized resume and portfolio design services, leveraging your layout, typography, and visual storytelling expertise. 

Tailor each design to the individual’s industry and aspirations, ensuring their unique qualities shine through. 

With your creative touch, you can empower professionals to showcase their alluring skills and achievements visually compellingly, giving them a competitive edge in their career journeys.

Packaging Design

Packaging is pivotal in helping people attract consumers and convey a brand’s personality ?. 

By offering packaging design services, you can collaborate with businesses to create visually stunning packaging that entices customers and elevates their products.

 Design captivating packaging solutions that align with the brand’s values and target market. 

Consider materials, functionality, and shelf appeal while infusing your artistic flair into every detail. 

Your packaging designs can help businesses leave a lasting impression and increase their market presence, whether for food and beverages, cosmetics, or consumer goods.

Branding And Identity Design

In a crowded marketplace, businesses strive to stand out and uniquely leave a lasting impression on their target audience.

By offering branding and identity design services, you can help companies create a compelling visual identity that resonates with their customers ?.

From designing captivating logos and brand guidelines to developing cohesive visual assets, your expertise can make a significant impact.

 Collaborate closely with clients to understand their values, aspirations, and target market, ensuring your designs accurately reflect their brand essence.

 By delivering unique and cohesive branding solutions, you can carve a different niche for yourself in the competitive world of desktop publishing.

Launch Your Own Custom Printing Venture.

Embark on your entrepreneurial journey and launch your very own custom printing venture today.

With the increasing demand for personalized merchandise, the possibilities are endless. Whether it’s custom t-shirts, promotional items, or personalized gifts, tap into this lucrative market.

Create unique designs, offer top-notch quality, and cater to diverse customer needs. With the right strategy and dedication, your custom printing business can thrive in this dynamic industry. Start now and turn your passion for creativity into a profitable venture.

Establish a Branding Agency.

Establishing a branding agency can be a rewarding venture in today’s competitive business landscape.

A branding agency specializes in creating and enhancing a company’s image, helping it stand out in the market.

By offering services like logo design, marketing strategies, and brand messaging, you can help businesses connect with their target audience and build a strong identity.

With creativity, market insights, and a strong team, your branding agency can play a pivotal role in shaping the success of various businesses across industries.

Best Desktop Publishing Business Ideas

Initiate a print communication enterprise..

Starting a print communication enterprise can be a lucrative venture in today’s digital age. This business could offer a wide range of services, from traditional printing and promotional materials to digital marketing collateral.

To succeed, entrepreneurs should invest in cutting-edge printing technology, employ skilled designers, and establish strong client relationships.

As businesses and individuals continue to rely on print materials for branding and communication, this enterprise has the potential to thrive and remain relevant in the evolving world of marketing and information dissemination.

Pursue a Career as A Graphic Designer.

Pursuing a career as a graphic designer offers an exciting and dynamic path for those with a passion for creative expression.

Graphic designers blend artistry with technology, crafting visuals that convey messages and captivate audiences. This profession provides opportunities to work in diverse industries, from advertising and marketing to web design and branding.

With the constant evolution of design tools and techniques, graphic designers are always in demand, making it a rewarding and ever-evolving career choice for those who thrive on innovation and aesthetics.

Open a Souvenir Shop.

Opening a souvenir shop can be a rewarding venture for entrepreneurs with a passion for travel and culture. Souvenir shops offer a wide range of unique and locally crafted mementos, catering to tourists and collectors alike.

Success in this business requires careful selection of merchandise, an inviting store layout, and a prime location in a tourist hotspot.

Providing excellent customer service and fostering connections with suppliers can help ensure a thriving souvenir shop that preserves memories for visitors while generating profits for the owner.

Create a Business Specializing in Large Print Designs.

Starting a business specializing in large print designs can be a lucrative venture in today’s visually-driven world.

Catering to various industries like advertising, event planning, and interior decor, your company can offer customized, eye-catching visuals that leave a lasting impression.

Leveraging cutting-edge printing technology and creative expertise, you can help clients make a bold statement with oversized prints on banners, posters, and signage.

With a keen focus on quality and innovation, your large print design business can carve out a niche in the market and thrive in the competitive landscape.

Start an Ebook Formatting Service.

Starting an ebook formatting service can be a lucrative venture for those with a keen eye for detail and a love for literature.

With the rising popularity of ebooks, authors and publishers are constantly seeking professional formatting to ensure their digital books look polished and reader-friendly.

Offering services like layout design, font selection, and compatibility checks can help self-published authors and small presses stand out in the competitive digital market.

Emphasize your expertise and reliability to attract clients and build a successful ebook formatting business.

Venture Into the World of Painting and Decorating.

Venturing into the world of painting and decorating opens doors to a realm of creativity and transformation.

It’s a captivating journey where blank canvases and plain walls become your playground for expression. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned artist, the act of adding colors and textures can breathe life into any space.

It’s a craft that allows you to infuse your personality, style, and imagination into your surroundings, turning them into personalized works of art that evoke emotions and inspire awe.

Begin a Career as A Cartoonist.

Beginning a career as a cartoonist is a creative journey filled with endless possibilities. With a passion for storytelling and a knack for visual humor, aspiring cartoonists can craft unique worlds, characters, and narratives.

Whether you dream of creating comic strips, webcomics, or animated series, honing your artistic skills and developing your own distinctive style is key.

Embrace the power of humor, satire, and social commentary as you bring laughter and thought-provoking content to audiences of all ages, making your mark in the vibrant world of cartooning.

Dive Into the Office Supplies Industry.

Diving into the office supplies industry unveils a dynamic and essential sector. From pens and paper to advanced tech gadgets, it caters to businesses of all sizes.

As workplaces evolve, so do the products and trends within this field. Sustainability, digitalization, and ergonomic design are now driving forces.

Navigating this industry requires a blend of traditional knowledge and adaptability to stay ahead in a world where office essentials are constantly evolving. It’s a vibrant arena with opportunities waiting for those ready to plunge in.

Offer Desktop Publishing Tutorials as A Business.

Starting a business that offers desktop publishing tutorials can be a lucrative venture in today’s digital age. With the increasing demand for visually appealing content, individuals and businesses seek to enhance their design skills.

By providing comprehensive tutorials, you can empower your clients to create professional-quality materials. Offering personalized, hands-on guidance and covering popular design software can set your business apart.

Whether it’s for graphic design, marketing collateral, or self-publishing, your desktop publishing tutorials can help clients unlock their creativity and achieve their design goals.

Starting a desktop publishing business is a smart idea. People need well-designed materials, both online and offline. If you’re creative and tech-savvy, you can succeed in this industry. With hard work and good marketing, you can build a successful business in desktop publishing.

Similar Posts:

• 51+ Design Business Ideas: Creative Ventures for Success
• How To Hire A Graphic Designer? Responsibilities And Skills
• 63+ Agency Business Ideas: Top Profitable Ventures for Success
• 111+ Instagram Business Ideas: Creative Ways to Boost Your Brand
• 65+ Lead Generation Business Ideas: Proven Strategies for Succes

Business, marketing, and blogging – these three words describe me the best. I am the founder of Burban Branding and Media, and a self-taught marketer with 10 years of experience. My passion lies in helping startups enhance their business through marketing, HR, leadership, and finance. I am on a mission to assist businesses in achieving their goals.

Did you like this article? Why not share it:

Leave a Comment

•   Saturday, May 11, 2024
• Terms & Conditions

DBS Next Level

DBS Next Level is business blog site hat shares information on business ideas, online business, franchise, wholesale, startup ideas and agriculture.

• Small business opportunities

Start your desk top publishing (DTP) business

Not many people are aware that desktop publishing or graphic designing is an excellent idea for a small business. It is easy to start and require only small capital investment. Using DTP software one can publish wide range of printed materials without incurring expenses of commercial printing. DTP is a form of digital typography, where different page layouts are used in creating wide range of printed items such as – books, menus, directories, brochures, catalogs etc.

About this business opportunity

Both scopes and demand for DTP publishing has increased manifold over the years. If you have abilities to create appealing page layouts and editing other’s work then DTP business can be a great career option for you. Since commercial printing is expensive and time intensive, most small and medium size businesses depend on desktop publishing for their business communication material. It is affordable and immediate, which suits their requirements aptly. This creates a huge market demand for qualified DTP publishers across industries.

Current market trend

The current market shows a growing demand for DTP publishing works. The ideal place to start a DTP business is near schools, colleges, educational institutes, business centers, etc., where demand for such work would be high. Students seek qualified DTP publishing for their projects and thesis and similarly, businesses need it for their wide range of commercial requirements. Apart from that, DTP is required in wide range of fields from legal to entertainment. If you can type fast and have good writing abilities and concept of page layout and designing, you can enjoy great success as a DTP operator.

Level of competition

Depending on where you are and where you plan to start your business, competition may vary. But overall the market is highly competitive where thousands of DTP developers struggling for reaching out to their target market.

Success of your business will largely depend upon your abilities to identify the right market, promoting your services to them to keep the flow of new businesses coming in. Side-by-side you’ll also have to consider building long term relationship with your existing clientele that will ensure steady source of income.

Who can start this business?

If you are looking for an alternative to replace your income, DTP business can be great. With minimal set-up expense anyone can start a DTP business – working professionals, retired individuals, housewives, or students.

Aside from artistic abilities, becoming successful DTP operator also needs some additional skill sets, which we have mentioned below.

• Knowledge in desktop printing software, like – Microsoft Pagemaker, Coral Draw etc.
• Understanding of different type formats and page layouts
• Knowledge of Photoshop can be added advantage
• Some DTP operators also offer content creation services to clients. You too can do that if you have good writing skills
• Along with, you would need computers with the latest configuration and licensed software
• Entrepreneurial abilities and multi-tasking skills necessary for running small business

Starting a DTP job may require some initial investment such as – computers, Xerox machine, scanner, good quality printer, DTP software; and shop establishment expenses such as – rented space, chairs and desks, electricity bills etc. Despite initial investment a DTP business can achieve breakeven soon if you take time in marketing your services.

Website building

If you have a DTP business then building a business website is a good idea. It can become a formidable marketing tool in helping your client find your business easily. Nowadays, you can avail affordable website developing solutions from website designing and developing firms near you. Most of them have special rates and discounts for small business entrepreneurs. SEOTP in Bangalore offers small business training, mentoring and web hosting solutions to entrepreneurs to help them start off.

Buy this book to be a success in DTP business

Marketing plan

Visibility is most important for DTP businesses and therefore finding the right place to set your shop up is very important. But it is not a guarantee of customer footfall to your shop. In order to achieve success in your DTP business, you therefore need a consolidated marketing strategy that would help promoting your business across platforms.

Off line: Putting up banner or hoarding or simply a sign before your shop if the first step of marketing for a DTP business. Your objective would be to attract as many customers as possible and therefore you’d need visibility. Secondly, you can pay direct visits to your intended customers and make them aware of the services offered by you. Direct mailers, fliers, pamphlets or promotional goodies are great ideas of promoting your business to your customers.

Internet marketing: Internet marketing is affordable and therefore preferred by small entrepreneurs. Whether yours is a traditional brick and mortar establishment or an ecommerce solution, you can reach out to larger customer base using digital marketing avenues. You can learn the art of SEO and social media marketing from courses offered by SEOTP to small business entrepreneurs.

Don't bother with copy and paste.

Get this complete sample business plan as a free text document.

Business Analysis Publishing Business Plan

Start your own business analysis publishing business plan

The Wonderkind

Executive summary executive summary is a brief introduction to your business plan. it describes your business, the problem that it solves, your target market, and financial highlights.">.

Our Mission : Our mission is to tap into the brightest young minds of today and tomorrow by empowering them to research the trends, themes, and technological advances that are prevalent among college students and decipher how these phenomena translate into the investing dynamics of the stock market.

Description of the Business Concept : We will offer bright, motivated college students who are passionate about business and investing a forum to gain real business experience by empowering them to analyze trends, themes, and companies and write about them outside of the classroom. The original thoughts and ideas of these business-minded wunderkinds will be available on the Internet at our website: www.thewonderkind.com and in a hard copy newsletter printed quarterly and mailed to subscribers. We are an informational publishing company which provides analysis citing key trends in various industries to our subscribers. The Wonderkind’s focus allows students to discuss business matters most relevant to them and their Wall Street analyst counterparts-–current market and product trends, social issues, and general stock market dynamics-–and decipher how these phenomena translate into current investment opportunities. Our analysts are independent from the biases created due to the investment banking relationships between traditional Wall Street firms and their clients. Interested readers from across America will be able to access the collaborative findings of The Wonderkind by subscribing via the website for a monthly fee of $12.95 or $129.95 per year. This flat fee includes unlimited access to our online database, including email interaction with our analysts, as well as our quarterly newsletter, which provides the top articles and analyses in a printed form.

Opportunity and Strategy : The founding partners will rely upon their own investment wisdom and perspicacity as well as that of their network of peers from other schools from across the country to create the initial knowledge base. This foundational base will be used as a marketing tool to encourage motivated students from any university to submit their own original investment ideas to be considered for publication on the website and newsletter of The Wonderkind. We believe that motivated students will flock to this opportunity to gain exposure and honor through publication on the website as well as in the quality periodical without the need for other monetary compensation. Judging from the quality of investment analyses submitted we would look to recruit additional full-time writers and compensate them accordingly. As our subscriber base continues to grow, so will the number and quality of articles submitted by students.

The Wonderkind has a range of possible recruitment and implementation methods including the Internet; promotion via official college and university newsletters and magazines; with business and entrepreneurial departments at other schools; and lastly, through friend and family networking and support.

Target Market : Subscribers of The Wonderkind will be motivated to gain exposure to the pulse of collegiate America. The Wonderkind’s target market consists of:

• Business professionals who enjoy a multitude of information sources.
• College students with business, finance, or marketing interests.

Competitive Advantage : Our competitive advantage is two fold:

• There is currently no other investment publication that taps into the collective collegiate intellect.
• Our internship would be offered during the school year as well as during the summer.
• Because our internship would be performed electronically, students will not need to relocate nor arrange for lodging.

The Wonderkind’s uniqueness stems from its planned creation of an elite team of college students who embody America’s most technologically savvy and dynamic generation of youth. College students of today command more respect from business professionals and society at large than ever before. With the incredible success stories of college entrepreneurs such as Bill Gates, Michael Dell, and Sean Fanning, everyone seems to have an interest in the pulse of the collegiate America.

Economic Potential : Our five year projected models indicate over one million dollars in annual revenue. Additional value-added services and cross marketing initiatives could become accretive to our bottom line beginning two years out.

Management : Both founding partners, Frank Peanut and Jacob Sweller have unique resumes and background experiences. They each bring to the table distinct personal qualities that will complement one another as they manage and grow their business.

Frank Peanut is majoring in finance and is ranked in the top 5% of his class. His past experience includes being mentored under the guidance of two hedge fund managers in Minneapolis. Frank currently serves as the Co-fund Manager of the Investment Club at school responsible for approximately $400,000 in assets. Frank has been managing his own personal funds in the equity markets since the age of 14. His future plans after graduation entail working in the Investment Banking industry for a short duration and then attending graduate school.

Jacob Sweller is on track to receive a dual degree in finance and government. Jacob, enrolled in the Honors Program, scored a 1500 on the SAT exam and is currently ranked in the top 10% of his class. While at school, Jacob has been extremely active in the business arena and has directed business-consulting presentations to the Credit Suisse First Boston investment banking firm as well as McKinsey & Co. consulting firm.  Jacob has received over 30 prestigious awards in academics and athletics over the past few years. Jacob currently serves as the Co-fund Manager of the Investment Club responsible for approximately $400,000 in assets.

The Offering : We propose to offer a large minority stake in The Wonderkind in exchange for our desired financing to cover start-up costs associated with promotion of our services, and business infrastructure. We are open for negotiations.

Risks : While any start-up company investment necessitates a high degree of risk, we are committed to using any funds received conservatively and wisely. However, The Wonderkind is not an Internet company. We are an informational publishing company which provides services citing key trends in various industries to our customers. We have decided to utilize the Internet for distribution purposes because it is the most cost efficient method.

1.1 100 Word Summary of Business Venture

The Wonderkind is an informational publishing company whose focus allows exceptionally bright students with business/investing interests to discuss business matters most relevant to them and their Wall Street analyst counterparts–current market and product trends, social issues, and general stock market dynamics-–and decipher how these phenomena translate into current investment opportunities.  Our analysts are independent from the biases created due to the investment banking relationships between traditional Wall Street firms and their clients.

Team leaders and contact personnel:

Frank Peanut:  [email protected].  Office: (555) 589-3432

Jacob Sweller:  [email protected].  Office: (555) 589-3453

1.2 Objectives

We will offer bright, motivated students who are passionate about the stock market a forum to gain real business experience by allowing them to analyze companies and write about them outside of the classroom.

Our objectives for growth in our subscriber base are as follows:

1.3 Mission

Brought to you by

Create a professional business plan

Using ai and step-by-step instructions.

Secure funding

Validate ideas

Build a strategy

1.4 Keys to Success

The following is a list of crucial steps in which we will take:

• Recruit qualified college students from around the country and properly integrate their research into our services.
• Ensure that the content we publish is truly original and unique in all aspects.
• Convince investors and interested readers of the quality and differentiated content of our service.
• Market our concept to institutional interests at the collegiate level and in business to ensure that more than just individual subscribers endorse it.
• Retain existing subscribers and persuade them to recommend our service to others.
• Keep our costs minimized to ensure self-sufficiency and longevity in all operations.

Company Summary company overview ) is an overview of the most important points about your company—your history, management team, location, mission statement and legal structure.">

The Wonderkind is an informational publishing company comprised of the best and brightest college students with business/investing interests. The Wonderkind’s focus allows students to discuss business matters most relevant to them and their Wall Street analyst counterparts-–current market and product trends, social issues, and general stock market dynamics-–and decipher how these phenomena translate into current investment opportunities. Our analysts are independent from the biases created due to the investment banking relationships between traditional Wall Street firms and their clients. Student analysts will offer a unique perspective in the following areas: 

• Company analysis and recommendation.
• Business and investment issues from the perspective of generation Y.
• Current market and product trends/themes prevalent on the college campus.
• What’s happening now in collegiate America and business today?

An online edition and hard-copy newsletter will be available to subscribers for $12.95 per month or $129.95 per year.

2.1 Company Ownership

The Wonderkind will be a privately owned, operated, and funded partnership.

2.2 Start-up Summary

At this time, we anticipate minimal start-up related costs associated with our company. We plan on devoting a substantial amount of our personal time and utilizing already existent resources available to us at little or no cost. Our website is hosted and maintained by Vista.com for a monthly charge of $50. However, through a special partnership with Vista we will receive Web hosting and developing capabilities free of charge for the first year. Marketing and business infrastructure expenses will be the primary source of cash outflow during the beginning stages of growth.

2.3 Company Locations and Facilities

The primary operations of The Wonderkind will take place in New York, NY. Because all activities and information can be tracked and maintained using a personal computer and the Internet, we will not need exclusive office space until our operations have reached a scale in which dedicated office space is necessary.

The Wonderkind will publish a website and newsletter that provides product, market trends, and theme analysis, company insight, and interesting business issues impacting society from the collegiate perspective. The angle that we address business and societal issues from is unique in that it is representative of today’s and tomorrow’s top college students opinions. The interests of today’s college generation indicates broader themes that will eventually transform society as a whole. The Wonderkind offers bright, motivated students who are passionate about business and/or the stock market a forum to gain real business experience by allowing them to analyze companies and trends and write about them outside of the classroom. The original thoughts and ideas of these wunderkinds will be available on the Internet at our website: www.thewonderkind.com and in a hard copy newsletter printed quarterly.

3.1 Competitive Comparison

The Wonderkind is a collection of the best young financial minds in the U.S. These people see trends and issues in the market that the Wall Street analysts fail to realize. In addition, our analysts do not have the investment banking ties that create a major bias in the Wall Street analysts’ opinion. Certain trends cannot be read in yearly reports and can only be realized at the earliest moments by those with a feel for the future of trends in business and technology. In addition, our analysts are willing to perform the more hands-on research carried out by the Wall Street analyst of thirty years ago. This kind of research could include actually eating at a restaurant with the intent of judging the quality of food service. Or perhaps visiting the local mall and witnessing the consumer traffic at Abercrombie & Fitch vs. The Gap vs. J. Crew. If a hot new MP3 player is creping into the popular music scene, then college students with an astute wit will detect the trend first. Our team of college students will be the Wall Street analysts and business professionals of the future. The Wonderkind provides a forum for these brilliant students to voice their observations and ideas before they become biased by their investment banking counterparts.

The Wonderkind’s uniqueness stems from its creation of an elite team of college students who embody America’s most technologically savvy and dynamic generation of youth. College students of today command more respect from business professionals and society at large than ever before. With the incredible success stories of college entrepreneurs such as Bill Gates, Michael Dell, and Sean Fanning, everyone seems to have an interest in the pulse of the collegiate America.

Our competitive advantage is two fold:

• There is currently no other business/investment publication that taps into the collective collegiate intellect.
• We will appeal to motivated college students who are frustrated with the lack of response and organization of internship programs at large corporations.
• Because our internship would be performed electronically, students will not need to relocate nor arrange for lodging.

3.2 Sales Literature

Nearly all needed sales literature will be produced in-house using personal computer desktop publishing software such as Microsoft Publisher. We will outsource all of our printing needs. Sales literature will consist of brochures that can be passed out in person or mailed to our initial list of prospective clients. In addition we will publish performance reports including graphs and charts from our analysts using software such as Microsoft Excel.

3.3 Future Services

After creating the initial knowledge base for our business and we have a growing base of subscribers to our service, we will explore opportunities to further personalize the relationships between our subscribers and our analysts/writers. Our analysts will become available via email communication to subscribers who wish to further discuss the ideas presented by the writer. We will also explore the possibilities of adding additional channels of more consistent communication between subscribers and writers. One possibility for a future channel would be aimed at the corporate recruitment division of firms seeking top collegiate talent. The Wonderkind could become a means to establish an early link between corporations and students.

3.4 Technology

The Wonderkind will be heavily reliant upon the use of the Internet as a means for publishing its website and communicating with clients through email. We feel that technology will be utilized strictly to our advantage and we currently do not see any competitive threats resulting from the advent of new technologies. This mentality is subject to change and will be reevaluated continually in the future.

3.5 Fulfillment

The core value of The Wonderkind will lie in our analysts’ role as the brightest and most motivated college students in the country. The Wonderkind is different from other informational publishing services in that it represents collegiate America. Furthermore, value of this company will lie in the experience, education, dedication, and willingness of the analysts and owners to go out on a limb to observe the most pressing trends and tech themes prevalent today. Sound, unbiased analysis of these market trends, themes, and investment ideas, will be our objective.

Market Analysis Summary how to do a market analysis for your business plan.">

Subscribers of The Wonderkind will be motivated to gain exposure to the pulse of collegiate America. The Wonderkind’s target market consists of business professionals who enjoy a multitude of information sources.

4.1 Market Segmentation

We will target business professionals who enjoy a range information sources. These people could include buy/sell-side Wall Street analysts or other marketing managers at companies with an interest in consumer trends. The perspective offered by college students is truly separate from the bombardment of traditional business periodical sources. The interests of today’s college generation indicates broader themes business professionals need to be aware of.

4.2 Market Trends

The most relevant trend to the success of The Wonderkind is the continuing recognition of college business persons. No longer are the top Wall Street analysts and managers the only voices being heard. After the astounding success stories of college students such as Bill Gates, Michael Dell, and Sean Fanning, everyone seems to have an open ear to the collective collegiate conscious.

Another important trend originating in the last few years results from the “Fair Disclosure Act” which was created by the S.E.C. This act states explicitly that companies must disclose all information to the general investing public at the same time as releasing information to Wall Street analysts. In other words, individual investors can be present in the same conference calls with management along with Wall Street analysts effectively leveling the playing field for individual investors.

Another critical market influence on the investing public deals with the separation of the Wall Street research analysts from their investment banking counterparts. The inherent biases of investment banking research is being realized by the investing public. Investors want unbiased fundamental research to make decisions.

4.3 Market Growth

J. P. Morgan estimates that that 18 million Americans used online brokerages in 2000. This number is expected to increase to 27 million users with online accounts by the year 2003. J. P. Morgan also projects European online accounts to increase from 3.9 million in 2000 to an estimated 17 million accounts by 2003, an anticipated average annualized growth of over 60%. We mention the European statistics here because we expect some foreign investors to utilize The Wonderkind’s service as a concise, interactive, and cost-efficient method of gaining insight into the American markets. This trend indicates that more people are investing without the aid of a traditional broker. Such people, whether they be college students or business professionals, need supplementary research and information to make their investment decisions.

4.4 Service Business Analysis

The online investment research industry consists of a handful of all-inclusive websites that touch on nearly all realms of financial activity. Next, there are numerous lesser-known websites and newsletter services that take a more limited approach, specializing in various aspects of the financial markets.

The Wonderkind’s biggest challenge will be to establish itself as a quality niche service in an arena already filled with a wealth of information.

4.4.1 Business Participants

To our knowledge, there is no other company that offers the same services as The Wonderkind. However, there are several virtual businesses that charge fixed monthly rates for their analysts’ suggested portfolios along with periodic email newsletters. These companies will certainly be competition. However, we believe that The Wonderkind offers many competitive advantages over these more automated market information services. The uniquely powerful collection of extremely smart college students that we plan to create will separate us from these other standardized information services.

4.4.2 Distributing a Service

The Wonderkind will be distributed via Internet subscriptions and mailed newsletters, which will be promoted via our marketing campaigns. The highly scalable knowledge-based platform on which we will operate, will allow us to efficiently leverage our business to a large audience. In addition, we will be able to communicate with our clients via our website, email, and telephone.

4.4.3 Main Competitors

The Wonderkind is removed from these otherwise comparable sites because of our collection of the best and brightest young minds representative of the American collegiate pulse:

1. All-inclusive online financial services:

Already established financial sites such as Yahoo! Finance, CBS MarketWatch, MSN MoneyCentral, The Street.com, and Fool.com certainly could be grouped in the same industry as The Wonderkind. We also group any information provided by discount brokers into this category as well. These services provide market research, daily articles, charts, quotes, and much more. We certainly recognize the breadth and reputation of these sites. However, our object will not be to take away market share from this group. Instead we will strive to serve as a desired supplementary informational service.

2. Reputable and focused companies:

3. Stock Picking Services/Technological Forecasting

Persons such as George Gilder and Michael Murphy have set up subscription-based revenue models similar to what we will strive to achieve for The Wonderkind.

Strategy and Implementation Summary

We plan to collect an extensive network of bright and talented college students as writers and analysts. We will gather student representatives from schools across the nation. The position of writer and analyst for The Wonderkind will become more coveted than an internship because of the manner in which our newsletter will provide students with a voice to be heard. Lastly, the college community has a perspective and insight that the overall investing world needs to hear.

5.1 Value Proposition

Subscribers have access to the stock ideas and societal trend/theme analysis generated by our analysts. In addition, subscribers will have access to a more personalized form of communication with our advisors regarding their own investment ideas as well as further exploration into those ideas already put forth by our analysts.

While traditional stockbrokers and Wall Street Analysts are biased in their buy/sell recommendations due to their financial incentives being aligned with the quantity of trading and preconceived investment banking relationships rather than the soundness of individual investment decisions, The Wonderkind analysts remain independent and unbiased in their advice. The Wonderkind analysts have no incentives other than to offer practical stock picking and trend/theme analysis based upon independent and thorough research.

5.2 Competitive Edge

The Wonderkind is a collection of the best young financial minds in the U.S. These people see trends and issues in the market that the Wall Street analysts fail to realize. In addition, our analysts do not have the investment banking ties that create a major bias in the Wall Street analysts’ opinion. Certain trends cannot be read in yearly reports and can only be realized at the earliest moments by those with a feel for the future of trends in business and technology. Furthermore, our analysts are willing to perform the more hands-on research carried out by the Wall Street analyst of thirty years ago. This kind of research could include actually eating at a restaurant with the intent of judging the quality of food service, or perhaps visiting the local mall and witnessing the consumer traffic at Abercrombie & Fitch vs. The Gap vs. J. Crew. If a hot new MP3 player is creeping into the popular music scene, then college students with an astute wit will detect the trend first. Our team of college students will be the Wall Street analysts and business professionals of the future. The Wonderkind provides a forum for these brilliant students to voice their observations and ideas before they become biased by their investment banking counterparts.

The Wonderkind’s uniqueness stems from its elite team of college students who embody America’s most technologically savvy and dynamic generation of youth. College students of today command more respect from business professionals and society at large than ever before.

5.3 Marketing Strategy

Our marketing strategy for The Wonderkind will focus on our differentiation by virtue of representation of college students and their opinions and advice. We seek out the brightest and most motivated students at colleges and universities around the country. The name ‘The Wonderkind’ is a play on the German and American word wunderkind, which describes a person of remarkable talent or ability who achieves great success or acclaim at an early age especially in business.

5.3.1 Promotion Strategy

Our most effective means of gaining exposure to a wide audience will come as a result of communicating with the business/entrepreneurial offices at the top 100 universities in the country. We will look to establish permanent links with these institutions in order to generate interest for student writers as well as publicity from university publications. Also, we will be mailing brochures and information to selective lists of potential subscribers and investors.

Our promotion strategy will be in-line with our main competitive advantage from a business perspective: our ability to contain costs. We will rely upon inexpensive forms of publicity that reach a large number of potential clients. Examples of such publicity will manifest in the form of articles written for student-business publications. One publication in which we have already contacted regarding our proposal is Business Today magazine. Business Today is the largest and most influential student-run publication in the country and is distributed widely to over 200,000 subscribers nationwide.

It is our assumption that one effective means of promoting our service will come by word-of-mouth from all people connected with our service including our analysts, writers, and customers. We expect that networks of friends and family will represent a portion of our initial cliental base and that word of mouth will continue to spread. We will be offering incentives for clients to sign up their friends and colleagues. This incentive will take the form of credit toward our existing services for referring clients. We will reward two free months of service for each new subscriber that is referred by an existing subscriber.

5.3.2 Positioning Statement

The Wonderkind will be positioned as an alternative form of investment advice designed to offer an enjoyable and energetic source of investment advice from an otherwise unrecognized group of people–college students. We provide investment advice from those who will be making the rules in the future. Ultimately, we fall into the category of an  informational publishing service utilizing the Internet as well as traditional paper printing methods of distribution.

5.3.3 Pricing Strategy

While we believe that our services are premium in quality, we have decided to offer them for a flat monthly charge. We believe that we should enter the market with a pricing strategy that is focused on convincing possible clients to give us a try. If we were to initially charge a much higher amount, possibly more in-line with the quality of service our clients will be receiving, we may experience a more difficult time selling to new clients. Once we have established ourselves in the eyes of our clients, we will begin raising our prices accordingly.

We will initially charge a fee of $12.95/month or $129.95/year for our basic service which provides access to all articles and content on our website in addition to a quarterly newsletter mailed to the subscriber.

5.4 Sales Strategy

We imagine that our sales strategy will be a natural follow up from our marketing strategy. Once we have attracted users to our website, the natural progression will be to retain them as subscribers. The majority of this process will be carried out through the website itself. The website will describe the specific benefits of subscribing to our service as well as address any questions prospective subscribers may have. We will give prospective subscribers a sample of the services offered by The Wonderkind. Sample articles and abridged articles will be available free of charge by accessing our website at www.thewonderkind.com. We will make an extraordinary effort to accommodate new subscribers in the beginning and throughout the duration of his or her subscription. We will strive to familiarize our subscribers with our services both on the website and through the comprehensive quarterly newsletter.

5.4.1 Sales Forecast

Our objectives for growth in our subscriber base are as follows:

Assuming our yearly subscription fee of $129.95, projected subscriber bases translate into yearly revenue projections of:

For fiscal accounting purposes, this plan begins in June even though we do not expect to receive income from subscriptions until January of the following year. In the seven months between these dates, we will be carrying out an aggressive marketing campaign to attract both subscribers and contributors.

5.5 Strategic Alliances

Once we have established The Wonderkind as a viable entity, we will begin to evaluate strategic alliances and co-marketing initiatives. One possibility for a future alliance exists in another student-operated investment service called WallStreetProdigy.com which offers recommended stock portfolio analysis via its website. WSP offers analysis and live quotes for all stock picks and represents some of the best investing students in universities and colleges in the U.S. However, for now, our main focus will be on building the foundation of The Wonderkind alone.

Management Summary management summary will include information about who's on your team and why they're the right people for the job, as well as your future hiring plans.">

The initial management team consists of the founders, Frank Peanut and Jacob Sweller. As we grow, we will be looking to recruit exceptionally qualified students. Both partners are currently taking on as much responsibilities as possible and working together on a number of critical issues.

6.1 Organizational Structure

Frank Peanut and Jacob Sweller will remain full-time partners for the short term. We will look to expand our organizational structure of student networks very shortly and have already contacted a select few potential analysts for The Wonderkind. These students come from universities including: University of Pennsylvania, University of Virginia, and Duke University.

6.2 Management Team

Both founding partners have unique resumes and background experiences. They each bring to the table distinct personal qualities that will complement one another as they manage and grow their business.

Jacob Sweller is on track to receive a dual degree in finance and government. Jacob, enrolled in the Honors Program, scored a 1500 on the SAT exam and is currently ranked in the top 10% of his class. While at school, Jacob has been extremely active in the business arena and has directed business-consulting presentations to the Credit Suisse First Boston investment banking firm as well as McKinsey & Co. consulting firm. Jacob has received over 30 prestigious awards in academics and athletics over the past few years. Jacob currently serves as the Co-fund Manager of the Investment Club responsible for approximately $400,000 in assets.

6.3 Management Team Gaps

Our management team identified insufficient expertise in Web development as an area of concern. While both Frank Peanut and Jacob Sweller have some experience with HTML hard coding and building basic Web pages, neither has the expertise to develop the website that they had originally envisioned.

Several solutions to this problem were evaluated:

•  Bringing in a third partner to specialize entirely in building and maintaining the company’s website.
•  Hiring a professional Web-development team to build and host a custom website.
•  Partnering with Vista.

Vista.com is a revolutionary e-Business Infrastructure Provider (eBIP) delivering a fully automated and integrated infrastructure platform for corporations to rapidly deliver e-business services to their small- and medium-size business customers. Vista will be providing us with an all-inclusive solution to develop our Web-based business. We are able to access a full range of tools through a Web browser platform from any computer terminal with Internet access. In addition, Vista will be hosting our site and managing a range of smaller details related to maintaining a business on the Web. They have provided us with the tools necessary to implement a fully enabled e-commerce site that has many features including customer database management, password protected content filled areas, email management, and a myriad of other back office applications that will prove extremely useful and necessary. While Vista has empowered us to create our website on our own, they also have customer support and technical specialists available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week in the event that we need assistance with any area of our site. We feel that in choosing to setup our business with Vista, we have effectively filled the Web design gap that initially existed. Vista should allow for our growth and expansion plans as we envision them.

6.4 Personnel Plan

The Writers : Our writers will be students who submit articles for publishing on The Wonderkind website and newsletter. Only select articles that embody the quality and spirit of The Wonderkind will be published. The writers will not be paid but will gain the opportunity to be promoted to analyst status through exceptional written articles.

The Analysts : An analyst is defined as a consistent writer for The Wonderkind. These analysts will represent the best of our writers and will be true investment wunderkinds. We estimate that each analyst will make approximately $400 per month. Each analyst will be paid X amount of dollars per customer for every month plus a monthly commission determined by the analyst’s quality of service provided to the customers. We estimate the average commission at about $100 monthly for the first year.

The Wonderkind will not have any personnel during the initial stages of operation, during which the partners of the company will handle all services and site operations. We plan to employ 10 full-time analysts by the end of year one. By year three we plan to have 25 analysts on payroll. The table below indicates the payroll provided by The Wonderkind. Not all analysts are expected to produce articles for our company every month.

Financial Plan investor-ready personnel plan .">

We want to finance growth mainly through free cash flow. We recognize that this means we will have to grow more slowly than we might like. We think that this strategy of more conservative financial management makes sense since we are not trying to create a conglomerate financial company, rather one that focuses on what we believe to be our core competencies and interests. We believe in financing opportunities that add value to our company from a cost/benefit analysis perspective. However, we will not blindly invest our resources in endeavors that do not have a high likelihood of bearing fruit in the future.

7.1 Important Assumptions

Our most important assumption is regarding the arrangement we have obtained with Vista whereby we are in essence being subsidized 100% for the first year. Vista, nonetheless, currently charges regular paying customers $100/month or $599/year.

7.2 Key Financial Indicators

We foresee steadily rising service revenues starting in June of 2001. Our initial objectives for client retention should lend itself directly to our sales forecasts. It is important to note that these goals as stated are extremely subjective to change once we begin operating and acquire a better feel for our market.

7.3 Break-even Analysis

By the beginning of the second year, assuming that we pay the costs related to Vista’s services, and assuming 10 analysts on the payroll, the Break-even Analysis below shows what is needed in sales to break even.

7.4 Projected Profit and Loss

The Wonderkind should be a profitable entity following the first year. This is possible because of our minimal start-up expenses and projections for consistent sales growth. Also, our arrangement with Vista for a full year’s worth of service free of charge is a substantial financial subsidy. The primary expenses incurred will be marketing and payroll. Marketing expenses will include printing fees for brochures to be distributed and other promotional initiatives.

The following table shows the Projected Profit and Loss for The Wonderkind.

7.5 Projected Cash Flow

The following chart and table show the Projected Cash Flow for The Wonderkind.

7.6 Business Ratios

The Industry standard ratios are for the Other Management Consulting service industry, NAICS code 541618. A quick comparison between the industry standards and Wonderkind shows that our company is in a class all by itself. Therefore, some explanation is necessary. First of all, because it is primarily an Internet company, all sales will be on credit. This means that the company has a very high amount of accounts receivable. In addition, the company has a very high gross margin for the same reasons. Furthermore, because it is a service company utilizing currently owned assets, the company has few long-term assets. We expect the company to have a decreasing net worth as the sales growth slows down, however it may seem abnormally high for some time.

7.7 Projected Balance Sheet

The table below is the Project Balance Sheet.

The quickest way to turn a business idea into a business plan

Fill-in-the-blanks and automatic financials make it easy.

No thanks, I prefer writing 40-page documents.

Discover the world’s #1 plan building software

All Formats

Plan Templates

11+ publisher business plan templates.

With the advent of the Internet, this business industry has grown with further progressions. However, running a business isn’t enough to make profit. You always require knowing the tweaks and tricks of running an effective business. For the beginners, simple business plan samples would help you to progress in this field with flying colors.

Self-Publishing Marketing Plan Template

• Google Docs

Publisher Business Plan

Desktop Publisher Business Plan

Open Society Institute Model Business Plan

Creating Successful Business Plan

Successful Business Plan Secrets Strategies

Publisher School Business Plan

Self-Publishing Versus Traditional Publishing

Writing Publisher Business Plan

Publishing Rewrites Publishing Market

TextCentric Business Plan Outline

Publisher Business Plan Project

Publisher Business Plan Template

• Attain the targeted circulation level.
• Control the costs when spending maximum on the subscription marketing in just one year.
• Monitor the response rates of the media executions.
• Follow-on the marketing of the book titles in the first half of the year or the first year.
• Attain the targeted advertising sale revenues.
• Quality editorial contents in every issue.
• Make the production and the distribution dates in the timely fashion for every issue.
• Entry Barriers are negligible or less
• SEO happens to be another factor
• Inclusion of professional outlook
• The tax benefits
• Publishing companies also provide democracy to the writers.
• Advice from experts
• Learning the laws
• Selecting the name and buying the domain

More in Plan Templates

Business continuity plan template, business development plan template, small business plan template, one page business plan template, business plan outline template, coffee shop business plan template, business plan in entrepreneurship template, business project plan template, one-page fashion business plan template, business plan for students template.

• 7+ Financial Plan Templates
• 10+ Operational Plan Templates
• 9+ Training Plan Templates
• 5+ Shooting Schedule Template
• 11+ School Counselor Lesson Plan Templates in PDF | Word
• 9+ Interdisciplinary Lesson Plan Templates in PDF | MS Word
• 10+ Business Continuity Plan Templates in Google Docs | Ms Word | Pages | PDF
• 18+ Compensation Plan Templates in Google Docs | MS Word | Pages | PDF
• 10+ Executive Bonus Plan Templates in PDF
• 8+ Facility Management Plan Templates in PDF
• 10+ Diversity Recruitment Plan Templates in PDF | MS Word
• 11+ Audit Corrective Action Plan Templates in MS Word | Excel | PDF
• 9+ Recruitment Agency Marketing Plan Templates in PDF
• 10+ Recruitment Marketing Plan Templates in PDF | MS Word
• 10+ Student Recruitment Plan Templates in PDF | MS Word

File Formats

Word templates, google docs templates, excel templates, powerpoint templates, google sheets templates, google slides templates, pdf templates, publisher templates, psd templates, indesign templates, illustrator templates, pages templates, keynote templates, numbers templates, outlook templates.

Best desktop publishing software of 2024

Find the best desktop publishing software and page layout tools for designing pro publications

• Best overall
• Best InDesign alternative
• Best for Windows
• Best for professionals
• Best for beginners

How we test

1. Best overall 2. Best InDesign alternative 3. Best for Windows 4. Best free 5. Best for professionals 6. Best for beginners 7. FAQs 8. How we test

The best desktop publishing software helps you design posters, plot page layouts, make magazines, and create other print assets.

If you've never used DTP software and apps before, they're like the best graphic design software but with an equal focus on words and pictures for when you need to design a page layout for magazines, brochures, books, and other printed materials. To make the design process easier, most of the best desktop publishing software use a simple grid system, where you can drop, reposition, and resize text and image blocks. But which is best your next print project? 

Our team of expert reviewers have tested tools like Adobe InDesign and the best InDesign alternatives - so we know what to watch out for when it comes to the best DTP software. As part of our review process, we've compared the user experience, feature-set, advanced graphics tools, print-ready quality of exports, and the overall design workflow to find the top magazine maker apps for beginners and professionals. 

Best desktop publishing software overall

1. Adobe InDesign

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

Adobe InDesign should need no introduction - it has become the industry standard for Desktop Publishing, whether your work is destined for print, online or mobile. As such, it’s an incredibly powerful piece of software filled with features that will delight professionals.

However, as it’s part of Adobe’s software subscription bundle, you might be tempted to give it a spin just because you’re already paying for it. If you’re familiar with the layout of their other software, it won’t take you long to get to grips with the interface.

The latest version introduces a number of welcome additions, from the basic, like finally being able to preview a document from the Mac’s Finder or Windows Explorer without having to open it, to more needed improvements, like being able to copy and paste from Illustrator to InDesign, to the introduction of Auto Styling - a feature that lets you change the entire text formatting of a document with a single click. It shows immense potential but is as yet currently a work in progress.

You can subscribe to InDesign on its own or as part of Adobe’s Creative Cloud All Apps subscription plan. 

Read our full Adobe InDesign review  .

• ^ Back to the top

Best alternative to Adobe InDesign

2. Serif Affinity Publisher 2

Affinity Publisher 2 is a serious step up from version one of Serif's popular desktop publishing software. With big improvements across the board, it feels good enough to rival big players Adobe InDesign and QuarkXpress.

The page layout designer’s interface is polished, but nothing we haven’t seen before - although the icons and labels might be a bit too small if you have a pixel-dense display. And really, that’s the worst you can say about an otherwise excellent DTP app. 

You’ll find a wide selection of tools are available to help make document design a breeze. Much is centered around efficiency. We were impressed with these time-saving features, which range from simple yet necessary tools like footnote creation to serious object manipulation. These include the ability to copy effects from one object to the next, selecting similar objects to alter them all at the same time, or even creating a grid of objects in seconds.

Affinity Publisher 2 comes subscription-free on Windows, Mac, and iPad. A one-time buy available as a standalone app or part of the Affinity V2 Universal Licence, a creative suite that includes Affinity Designer and Affinity Photo. Having all three allows you to use the tools of the other two directly inside Publisher 2, which is a massive advantage. And with the new (and free) V2.2 update, Serif keep expanding its toolset with welcome upgrades. 

Read our full Serif Affinity Publisher 2 review .

Best desktop publishing software for Windows

3. Microsoft Publisher

Microsoft Publisher delivers precision desktop publishing to a broad audience. Since its inception in 1991, the DTP application has proved an accessible entry-point for print designers. 

Barrier to entry is low, making Publisher one of the best desktop publishing software tools for beginners and general users, especially if you’re already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem. The interface is sleek and uncomplicated. Starting your creations is intuitive. If you’ve used other Office programs, interface navigation will be second-nature.

To ease you into the design process, Microsoft’s magazine-making software also boasts a decent collection of templates. The results are good, though lacking InDesign’s ultra-professional polish.

Publisher for PC only is available as part of the Microsoft 365 Business subscription (though Business Basic users will need to upgrade). You can also get Microsoft Publisher 2019 as a one-time purchase, if you’d rather avoid subscription deals. 

Read our full Microsoft Publisher review .

Best free desktop publishing software

Scribus is the best free DTP software, offering an attractive alternative to InDesign for creatives on a budget. 

As an open-source application, it’s the clear winner of the coveted best free DTP software title. You won’t need to pay a license fee, whether you’re a single user or a business. But beyond the enticing price-point lies a desktop publishing tool that’s more powerful than its admittedly dated interface might suggest. 

Available on Windows, Mac, Linux, and FreeBSD, the software for desktop publishing hosts professional features including CMYK and spot colors, ICC color management, direct editing of vector drawings, and extensive PDF support. In other words, it's one of the best software tools for creating magazines, or producing brochures, flyers, newspapers, and even books.

Be warned: the powerful Scribus toolset does take time to master. That’s the trade-off for choosing the top free DTP tool packed to the rafters with professional-grade features. You’ll find plenty of documentation and developer support, but there’s still a significant learning curve.

Read our full Scribus review .

Best desktop publishing software for professionals

5. QuarkXPress

QuarkXPress once led the field in digital publishing. It was indisputably the best desktop publishing software on the market. Then Adobe InDesign stole its crown. For many, it's still their number one. You'll find it still lovingly used in older businesses, or those trying to extract themselves from the costly Adobe ecosphere.

Despite losing mainstream popularity, QuarkXPress remains one of the best DTP software solutions - and still retains a loyal and growing fanbase, as it continues to tempt back Adobe users through a large suite of features and full-bodied compatibility with InDesign files. 

The magazine-builder app has a particularly impressive typography toolkit, making it possible to create stunning publications thanks to OpenType controls and support for Color Fonts in SVG, SBIX, and COLR formats. web design tools also come as standard. 

As one of the best Adobe InDesign alternatives, it’s not quite as feature-rich as Adobe’s top DTP software, but it comes close. Unlike its design rival, you can pick up a perpetual license for a one-off fee, or sign up on a subscription basis.  

Best desktop publishing software for beginners

6. Xara Page & Layout Designer

Xara Page & Layout Designer is the ideal DTP software for graphic designers new to digital document creation but keen to use top software to design a magazine. The clean, straightforward interface is welcoming, and won’t bamboozle you when building your first publications, whether it’s an attention-grabbing business card or a long-form sales brochure. 

Getting to grips with the tool is easy enough. You’ll find a bevy of templates included to help you get started on your design journey, too. However, that accessibility is tempered by a lighter list of features compared to professional DTP kits. For advanced users, this won't the the best desktop publishing software for anything but quick fixes and minor tweaks.

That’s not to say it’s underpowered. As one of the best DTP software kits, it’s more than enough for anyone who needs a package that blends DTP and word processor capabilities with image editing tools. The price, too, makes it more affordable than the likes of InDesign and Publisher. Though if you’re an experienced designer, you’re likely to swiftly outgrow Xara Page & Layout Designer. 

Page & Layout Designer is available as a standalone product, or as part of the Designer Pro+ subscription package. 

What is desktop publishing software?

Desktop publishing software (DTP) are tools that let you create printed assets and publications. It's like the best mockup software for print materials. Magazines, brochures, posters, and newspapers are all designed in DTP software. Desktop publishing tools help to set the layout and arrange texts and other graphics on a page. 

One reason for their popularity is, they help ease the creative process - it's a lot faster and easier to layout a page in desktop publishing tools. They also ensure accuracy, so your initial idea looks and feels identical when it's produced, matching any brand guidelines. 

If your frustrated by the current production process or want new ways to bring your media to life, then you'll need to decide which DTP software is best for you. There's no single answer. It depends on experience, skill, budget, and what you're designing. Adobe InDesign has remained one of the most popular choices, but there are plenty of best Adobe InDesign alternatives out there, including the ever-enduring QuarkXPress.

How to choose the best DTP software for you

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

When choosing which desktop publishing software is best for you, first set a goal: what will you be designing? The best desktop publishing software handles print and digital designs with ease, but if you’re mainly working with print, you may get more use from a tool like QuarkXpress or Page & Layout Designer. 

Budget is a factor - Adobe InDesign requires a monthly or annual Creative Cloud subscription, and Publisher needs a Microsoft 365 subscription. If you’d rather opt for a one-time-buy, Serif Affinity Publisher 2 and Xara Page & Layout Designer offer this choice. QuarkXpress, meanwhile, lets you choose either - and, may we say, paired with the best graphic design laptops and the best monitors for graphic design , this software presents a credible alternative to InDesign for serious professionals.

If you can, grab a free trial and find the best desktop publishing software that chimes with the way you work.

Our expert reviewers have tested, reviewed, and rated a wide range of professional graphic design tools, including the best digital art and drawing software , best free logo makers , and best logo makers .

At its core, the very best DTP software needs to make page layout simple - even if there’s a bit of a learning curve to start. It shouldn’t be a chore to bring your creative ideas to life. 

In determining the top tools, we look at the user experience and interface, performance and power, and the range of extras like text editing features. We also test how well the publishing software performs across different mediums, such as print magazines and digital assets. 

However, digital desktop publishers come in all shapes and sizes, and we assess how well each performs for its intended users. For example, an industry standard like InDesign is naturally going to offer more functionality and polish than Microsoft Publisher, but for beginners and enthusiasts, the latter may be the smarter choice.

Read more on how we test, rate, and review products on TechRadar .

Get in touch

• Want to find out about commercial or marketing opportunities? Click here
• Out of date info, errors, complaints or broken links? Give us a nudge
• Got a suggestion for a product or service provider? Message us directly
• You've reached the end of the page. Jump back up to the top ^

Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter

Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed!

Matt is TechRadar's Managing Editor for Core Tech, looking after computing and mobile technology. Having written for a number of publications such as PC Plus, PC Format, T3 and Linux Format, there's no aspect of technology that Matt isn't passionate about, especially computing and PC gaming. Ever since he got an Amiga A500+ for Christmas in 1991, he's loved using (and playing on) computers, and will talk endlessly about how The Secret of Monkey Island is the best game ever made.

• Steve Paris
• Steve Clark B2B Editor - Creative & Hardware

Webflow announces acquisition of Intellimize - expanding beyond visual development to become an integrated Website Experience Platform

Square Online review 2024: Top ecommerce platform pros, cons, and features tested

US officials confront China over Volt Typhoon cyberattacks

Most Popular

• 2 The Arc browser just launched and yes, it really is that good
• 3 Dell cracks down on hybrid working again — computing giant is going to start color-coding employees to show who is coming back to the office
• 4 10 things Apple forgot to tell us about the new iPad Pro and iPad Air
• 5 New iPad preorders - where to buy Apple's 2024 Pro and Air tablets
• 2 Apple iPad event 2024 – 9 things we learned from the Let Loose event
• 3 It's officially time to abandon the Oculus Quest 2, as new VR games and apps are dodging the aging headset
• 4 Don't fall for the PHEV hype – go battery EV or go home
• 5 The 5 subtle AI announcements Apple made at its big iPad 2024 launch event

404 Not found

Gov. Gavin Newsom proposes painful cuts to close California's growing budget deficit

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed a series of painful budget cuts to close the state's growing deficit

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- California's budget deficit is at least $45 billion, a shortfall so large it prompted Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday to propose painful spending cuts impacting immigrants, kindergarteners and low-income parents seeking child care in a state often lauded for having the world's fifth-largest economy.

Officially, Newsom said the state's deficit is $27.6 billion. But really, it's closer to $45 billion when including previous spending reductions that Newsom and the state Legislature agreed to in March. Including reductions in public education spending, which Newsom has not included, the deficit would be even billions of dollars more, according to recent analysis by the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office.

The size of the deficit is important as it will shape the national perspectives of Newsom, who is a top surrogate for President Joe Biden's reelection campaign and who is widely believed to harbor presidential aspirations of his own. Newsom has spent much of his time in office basking in the glow of historic budget surpluses that allowed him to greatly expand state spending. But back-to-back budget deficits — with more on the horizon — are testing California's commitment to those increases.

So far, Newsom has not gutted some of his splashiest policy advancements, including free kindergarten for all 4-year-olds and free health insurance for all low-income adults regardless of their immigration status. But as Friday's proposal showed, Newsom is willing to chip away at some of those promises to balance the budget.

While Newsom has not taken away health insurance from anyone, he proposed the state stop paying for health care workers to care for some 14,000 disabled immigrants in their home. That would save the state $94.7 million. While he hasn't pulled back the state's commitment to expanded kindergarten, he proposed eliminating $550 million that would have helped school districts build the facilities they need to teach all of those extra students.

After promising to pay for child care for another 146,000 children from low-income families, Newsom on Friday proposed pausing that expansion at 119,000. And after promising to boost how much money doctor's get to treat Medicaid patients, Newsom on Friday proposed canceling $6.7 billion that had been set aside to do that.

The cuts prompted outrage from across the political and ideological spectrum. Anthony Wright, executive director of the consumer advocacy group Health Access California, said the removal of in-home care for immigrants with disabilities would result in those people becoming “further impoverished or end up in much more expensive nursing home care.”

Yolanda Thomas, a member of the Child Care Providers United negotiations team, said cutting the child care slots means “we cannot build a stronger economy when our lowest paid workers ... don't have somewhere safe to send their children during their shifts.”

For every question on Friday, Newsom had a similar response.

“I prefer not to make this cut. These are programs, propositions that I have long advanced, many of them,” he said. “But you've got to do it. You have to be responsible.”

Before the coronavirus pandemic, California's revenues were growing at about 5% per year. From 2019-20 through 2021-22, revenues grew an astounding 55%. That's because California got a lot of money from the federal government to blunt the impact of the pandemic. And it's because the stock market had historic increases, fueling a rapid expansion of wealth among California's richest residents — generating a tax windfall for the state.

State budgeting is a guessing game, where governors and lawmakers have to predict how much money they will have and plan to spend it. Following the bountiful years of the pandemic, California's guesses have been way off. The Newsom administration now predicts state revenues will be $83.1 billion lower than they thought for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 fiscal years.

“If you knew that those were unrealistically high and totally unsustainable revenue levels, why wouldn't you put a little bit more in the reserves,” said state Sen. Roger Niello, a Republican and vice chair of the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee. “If that's the case, you know it's going to come crashing down and you are going to have a big deficit to cover.”

Newsom defended California's previous budget actions, noting the state Constitution required the state to return a big chunk of that surplus to taxpayers in the form of rebates. Newsom said it “provided a lot of support at the time to people who needed money.”

“I feel like we were doing the best we could under that circumstance,” he said.

Newsom on Friday repeatedly vowed he would not sign a sweeping tax increase on individuals. But he did propose suspending a popular tax deduction for businesses, which many see as a tax increase.

In total, Newsom is proposing $32.8 billion in cuts over two years, including eliminating 10,000 unfilled state jobs and an 8% cut to state operations — including things like eliminating landlines. He promised there would be no layoffs, furloughs or salary cuts for the state's more than 221,000 state workers.

Democratic legislators applauded Newsom’s effort to deal with multiple years of deficits and vowed to protect spending for social safety net fundings and classrooms.

“Nobody knows what challenges California may face, so we must always stay prepared,” Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas and Assembly Budget Chair Jesse Gabriel said in a joint statement. ___ This story has been corrected to show that Newsom proposed eliminating $550 million for school facilities, not $500 million.

Top Stories

Exclusive: Mom speaks out after Air Force rescued son from cruise ship

• May 9, 7:36 AM

What led to DNA match, arrest of minister two decades after murders of 2 teens

• May 10, 6:03 AM

3 neighbors dead after fight over snow shoveling, authorities say

• Feb 3, 5:49 PM

Woman uses self-checkout to steal $60,000 of items from same Target store over a year

• May 10, 5:03 AM

Judge warns Michael Cohen to stop talking about Trump hush money case

• May 10, 4:11 PM

ABC News Live

24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events