Design & DTP · Higher
Desktop publishing (DTP) terms & techniques
17 cards · 8 quiz · 0 exam
Graphic Communication · Higher · mrkellydt.co.uk
What you're learning in this topic
Learning intention WALT
We are learning about desktop publishing (DTP) terms & techniques, specifically to:
know
- DTP features in a layout: text wrap, reverse, drop shadow, bleed, flow text along a path, columns, gutter
understand
- the role of thumbnails and annotation
- why a serif or sans serif font suits a layout
- drop caps, pull quotes, placeholder text, master pages, layers, cropping types
- proofs, registration marks, crop marks and bleed
Success criteria WILF
- I can explain the role of thumbnails and annotation
- I can identify DTP features in a layout: text wrap, reverse, drop shadow, bleed, flow text along a path, columns, gutter
- I can explain why a serif or sans serif font suits a layout
- I can explain drop caps, pull quotes, placeholder text, master pages, layers, cropping types
- I can explain proofs, registration marks, crop marks and bleed
Planning a layout
- Thumbnails: small, quick sketches of layout ideas. They let you try a range of ideas fast and share them with the client.
- Annotation: notes on thumbnails explaining decisions and how they meet the brief.
- Visuals (Higher): more developed versions with colour and real proportions.
Layout terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Margin | Space between the edge of the page and the content |
| Column / gutter | Vertical blocks of text / the gap between columns |
| Text box, handles | A frame holding text / the squares used to resize or rotate an item |
| Title, heading, extended (body) text, caption | Main heading / section headings / the main paragraphs / short text describing an image |
| Header and footer | Content repeated at the top / bottom of pages |
| Text wrap | Text flowing around the shape of an image |
| Flow text along a path | Text following a curved line |
| Reverse | Light text on a dark background |
| Drop shadow / transparency | A shadow giving depth / an item made see-through so layers show below |
| Cropping | Removing unwanted parts of an image |
| Justification | How text lines up: left, right, centred or fully justified |
| Bleed | Colour or images extending past the trim edge so no white edge shows after cutting |
| Grid, guidelines, snap | Non-printing lines that items snap to, for accurate alignment and spacing |
| Colour fill, rotate, line | Filling shapes with colour / turning items / rules dividing items |
Higher DTP terms HIGHER
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Square crop / full crop | Trimming an image to a rectangle / cutting around the subject to remove its background, so text can wrap around it |
| Drop cap | A large first letter that leads the eye to the start of the body text |
| Pull quote | A short, eye-catching quote pulled out of the text and enlarged |
| Column rule | A thin line between columns |
| Folio | The page number |
| Running headline | A heading repeated on each page |
| Indent / hanging indent | First line set in / first line out and the rest set in |
| Line spacing | The space between lines of text |
| Placeholder text (lorem ipsum) | Dummy text used to plan a layout before the final copy is ready, showing how much space text needs |
| Master page | A template page whose items appear on every page, giving consistency and saving time |
| Layers | Separate levels that can be edited, hidden, locked or reordered without affecting other items |
| Textured and gradient fills, colour picking | Fills using a texture / a smooth blend between colours / sampling an exact colour from an image |
| Multi-page format | Documents with several pages, such as brochures and magazines |
Fonts
- Serif fonts have small strokes (serifs) at the ends of letters: traditional, formal, easy to read in long printed text.
- Sans serif fonts have no serifs: modern, clean, informal, easy to read on screen and at a distance; they suit simple, modern designs and younger audiences.
- Script (Higher): looks handwritten: elegant, personal, vintage.
When asked why a font suits a layout, link it to the theme or target audience.
Print production HIGHER
- Proof: a pre-press copy checked for errors before the full print run.
- Registration marks: targets that make sure each colour prints exactly in line; also used to align cutters.
- Crop marks: lines at the corners showing where to trim the page.
- Bleed: extra background beyond the trim, usually 3 mm.
Paper sizes
A-series sizes: each size is half the one before, with the same proportions (ratio 1 : 1.41). A4 is 210 × 297 mm; A3 (297 × 420) is double A4; A5 is half of A4. "Bigger" or "smaller" doesn't score when asked to compare: say double or half.
Benefits of DTP software
- Grids, guides and snap give accurate alignment and spacing quickly.
- Layouts can be changed and tried out quickly with real images and placeholder text.
- Master pages and templates keep documents consistent and can be reused.
- A wide range of fonts, colours and effects (transparency, drop shadow, text wrap).
- Output for both print and web.
Exam questions often ask you to describe DTP features in the given layout: point to where each is used. "Speeds up production" is a general benefit, not a layout feature, and scores 0.
Key terms
| Thumbnail | Small, quick layout sketch for generating ideas. |
|---|---|
| Gutter | The gap between columns. |
| Bleed | Background extending past the trim edge so no white edge shows. |
| Reverse | Light text on a dark background. |
| Text wrap | Text flowing around an image. |
| Flow text along a path | Text following a curved line. |
| Sans serif | Font without serifs: modern, clean, easy to read on screen. |
| Serif | Font with small strokes at the ends of letters: traditional, formal. |
| A3 compared with A4 | A3 is double A4, same proportions. |
| Full crop | Cutting around the subject to remove its background. |
| Drop cap | Large first letter leading the eye to the start of the text. |
| Pull quote | A short quote enlarged to attract the reader. |
| Registration mark | Target used to keep each print colour aligned. |
| Crop mark | Marks showing where to trim the printed page. |
| Placeholder text | Dummy text used to plan a layout before final copy. |
| Master page | Template whose items repeat on every page. |
| Folio | The page number. |
Quick check
1. The space between two columns is the…
- Gutter
- Margin
- Bleed
- Header
Show answer
A: Gutter. Gutter.
2. White text on a black box is…
- Transparency
- Reverse
- Drop shadow
- Bleed
Show answer
B: Reverse. Reverse.
3. Why does a designer extend the background past the trim edge?
- To use more ink and give stronger colours
- To add a white border round the edge
- So no white edge shows after cutting (bleed)
- To make the margins wider
Show answer
C: So no white edge shows after cutting (bleed). Bleed.
4. Text following a curved line uses…
- Text wrap
- Full justification
- Reverse text
- Flow text along a path
Show answer
D: Flow text along a path. Often confused with text wrap.
5. A sans serif font suits a modern layout because…
- It looks clean and modern and is easy to read
- It looks formal and traditional, like a newspaper
- It looks like handwriting, so it feels personal
- It is always printed in bold, so it stands out
Show answer
A: It looks clean and modern and is easy to read. Link to theme/audience.
6. Which mark ensures each printed colour lines up?
- Crop mark
- Registration mark
- Folio number
- Column rule
Show answer
B: Registration mark. Registration mark.
7. Lorem ipsum is used to…
- Translate the text into other languages
- Check the spelling of the final copy
- Plan a layout before the final text is ready
- Add a watermark to the background
Show answer
C: Plan a layout before the final text is ready. Placeholder text.
8. Removing the background around a product photo is…
- Square cropping
- Reverse
- Bleed
- Full cropping
Show answer
D: Full cropping. Full crop.
Printable worksheet
An I do, we do, you do worksheet for this topic, with a separate answer sheet.