What does a desktop publishing specialist do?
A desktop publishing specialist prepares and processes documents and other materials for print or online publication. A desktop publishing specialist must have an eye for detail because they are primarily in charge of handling the layout, proofreading pages, designing and developing materials, identifying and correcting issues, and performing revisions as necessary. They usually coordinate with clients to determine their needs and preferences, completing projects within deadlines and budgets. Moreover, a desktop publishing specialist maintains a clear and open communication line with staff to ensure quality and efficient results.
Desktop publishing specialist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real desktop publishing specialist resumes:
- Manage and utilize extensive internal photography libraries and external resources.
- Design, code, and update department intranet using HTML, CSS, frames, and tables.
- Access SharePoint to monitor and revise bid documents.
- Prepare electronic documents for submission to the FDA.
- Perform platemaking duties and quality check before going to press.
- Document new processes and create ISO work instructions for multiple OEMs.
- Develop user documentation and train staff in use of FrameMaker and templates.
- Perform quarterly ISO audits on various programs to ensure compliance with ISO []
- Use of working knowledge of medical terminology, statistical concepts, guidelines and requirements of the FDA ..
- Typeset pages from desktop in PDF format to printers and press operators for negative-to-plate production for press runs.
- Archive documents and proposals; PDF and compress with WinZip final files and graphics for storage on the archive server.
- Used some HTML and other web page building functions to design, lay out, and produce camera ready copy.
- Typeset and proofread personalized imprints.
- Process, inspect negative and positive platemaking materials.
- Typeset medical/legal information into brochures and other print media.
Desktop publishing specialist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 14% of Desktop Publishing Specialists are proficient in PowerPoint, Graphic Design, and Proofreading. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Artistic ability, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Desktop Publishing Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- PowerPoint, 14%
Created visually dynamic PowerPoint presentations to promote advancements in national medical research and marketing of newly approved prescription drugs.
- Graphic Design, 8%
Coordinated with Graphic Designers and Technical Writers for timely development of materials.
- Proofreading, 6%
Designed and created: banners, business cards, processed film using a variety of techniques and proofreading.
- Adobe Indesign, 5%
Used Adobe InDesign to create ads for monthly regional publication, Kid Scoop.
- Adobe Illustrator, 5%
Provide Adobe Illustrator support as needed.
- Adobe Photoshop, 5%
Produced various projects implementing QuarkXpress and Adobe Photoshop.
"powerpoint," "graphic design," and "proofreading" are among the most common skills that desktop publishing specialists use at work. You can find even more desktop publishing specialist responsibilities below, including:
Detail oriented. One of the key soft skills for a desktop publishing specialist to have is detail oriented. You can see how this relates to what desktop publishing specialists do because "desktop publishers must pay attention to details such as margins, font sizes, and the overall appearance and accuracy of their work." Additionally, a desktop publishing specialist resume shows how desktop publishing specialists use detail oriented: "created detailed style sheets and templates for larger publications such as the catalog and credit schedule. "
Artistic ability. Another essential skill to perform desktop publishing specialist duties is artistic ability. Desktop publishing specialists responsibilities require that "desktop publishers must have a good eye for how graphics and text will look, so that they can create pages that are visually appealing and legible." Desktop publishing specialists also use artistic ability in their role according to a real resume snippet: "used basic design skills and artistic creativity to implement two or three dimensional animation in support of training objectives. "
Communication skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of desktop publishing specialists is communication skills. This skill is critical to many everyday desktop publishing specialist duties, as "desktop publishers must collaborate with others, such as writers, editors, and graphic designers, and communicate ideas effectively." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "trade show management, marketing communications, corporate branding, graphic design, art direction, photography, database management"
Organizational skills. A big part of what desktop publishing specialists do relies on "organizational skills." You can see how essential it is to desktop publishing specialist responsibilities because "desktop publishers often work under strict deadlines and must be good at scheduling and prioritizing tasks in order to have documents ready in time for publication." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical desktop publishing specialist tasks: "maintained organizational sharepoint site including design, which established my reputation as an internal sharepoint expert within the organization. "
The three companies that hire the most desktop publishing specialists are:
- Mathematica5 desktop publishing specialists jobs
- NORC at the University of Chicago3 desktop publishing specialists jobs
- Lockheed Martin1 desktop publishing specialists jobs
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Compare different desktop publishing specialists
Desktop publishing specialist vs. Computer typesetter
Specialists are employees who are responsible for specific tasks or activities in the department they are assigned to. The actions or tasks they work on are related to their educational background or work experiences. They are usually highly skilled in specializations related to the work they are assigned to. Specialists are also highly trained on the competencies that are required of their specialty. As such, they are focused on the skills and competencies that are needed to enhance their experience in their specific field further.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between desktop publishing specialists and computer typesetter. For instance, desktop publishing specialist responsibilities require skills such as "powerpoint," "graphic design," "proofreading," and "adobe indesign." Whereas a computer typesetter is skilled in "computer programs," "pagemaker," "desktop," and "grocery store." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Computer typesetters tend to reach lower levels of education than desktop publishing specialists. In fact, computer typesetters are 5.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Desktop publishing specialist vs. Magazine publisher
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, desktop publishing specialist responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "powerpoint," "graphic design," "proofreading," and "adobe indesign." Meanwhile, a magazine publisher has duties that require skills in areas such as "photo shoots," "editorial content," "sales presentations," and "target audience." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Magazine publishers tend to reach higher levels of education than desktop publishing specialists. In fact, they're 8.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Desktop publishing specialist vs. Electronic publisher
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a desktop publishing specialist is likely to be skilled in "powerpoint," "graphic design," "proofreading," and "adobe indesign," while a typical electronic publisher is skilled in "desktop solutions," "pdfs," "troubleshoot," and "macintosh."
Electronic publishers typically earn lower educational levels compared to desktop publishing specialists. Specifically, they're 5.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Desktop publishing specialist vs. Specialist
Updated January 8, 2025
