I’ve tried designing brochures in Word more times than I’d like to admit.
You already know how that story ends. Images that won’t stay where you put them. Text boxes that jump around when you add a single word. And the final product looks exactly like what it is: something made in a word processor.
Word processors handle text well. But they weren’t built for design work.
Here’s what changed for me: I started using software actually designed for layout and design. The difference was immediate.
I’ve spent years working with digital systems and testing design tools at shotscribus. I know which ones deliver professional results and which ones just add more frustration.
This guide breaks down the software options that give you real control over layouts, images, and typography. I’ll show you what makes each one different and help you figure out which tool fits your project.
You’ll learn what separates design software from word processors, which programs match your skill level, and how to pick the right one without wasting money on features you don’t need.
No fluff about creative possibilities. Just the technical capabilities and real-world performance of each option.
What is Desktop Publishing (DTP) Software?
Desktop Publishing software is what you use when you need to create documents with real design control.
Think brochures. Magazines. Annual reports. Anything where layout actually matters.
Here’s the difference between DTP and something like Microsoft Word.
Word processors work in a linear flow. You type from top to bottom and the text just keeps going. That’s fine for letters or essays but it falls apart when you need text wrapping around images or multiple columns that don’t break weird.
DTP software uses frame-based layouts. You place text boxes and image boxes exactly where you want them. You control everything.
The typography tools are different too. You get kerning controls (the space between individual letters) and leading adjustments (line spacing) that actually work the way designers need them to. Not the basic stuff you find in word processors.
Then there’s color management.
Word processors think in RGB because they’re built for screens. DTP software handles CMYK color profiles because it’s built for print. That matters when you’re sending files to a professional printer and you don’t want your colors coming out wrong.
Some people say you can just use Word or Google Docs for everything. They’ll tell you it’s easier and you already know how to use it.
But here’s what happens. You spend hours fighting with text boxes that won’t stay put. Images that jump around when you add a sentence. Colors that look nothing like what you expected when they print.
The benefit? You get documents that look like a professional designed them. Not like you cobbled them together in a word processor at 2am. Your marketing materials actually represent your brand the way you intended.
I’ve seen companies try to create product catalogs in Word. It’s painful to watch.
If you’re curious how can shotscribus software help the environment, there are some interesting angles on sustainable design workflows worth checking out.
Bottom line: if layout quality matters for your project, you need DTP software.
The Top Tiers of Design Software in 2024
Let me clear something up right away.
When people ask me about design software, they usually mean two different things. Desktop publishing (DTP) software for layout work and graphic design tools for creating visuals.
I’m talking about the first one here. The programs you use to arrange text and images into polished documents.
The Industry Standard: Adobe InDesign
InDesign is what you’ll find in almost every design agency I’ve worked with.
It’s the professional choice for a reason. The software handles multi-page documents better than anything else out there. Magazines, books, annual reports. If it’s got complex layouts and needs to go to print, InDesign can do it.
The real power comes from how it works with Photoshop and Illustrator. You can move between all three without losing your mind over file compatibility issues.
But here’s what nobody tells beginners.
InDesign has a learning curve that’ll make you question your life choices. And you’re paying for it every month through Adobe Creative Cloud. That subscription adds up fast if you’re just starting out.
Best for: Multi-page documents, complex layouts, and professional print production.
The catch? You need time to learn it and money to keep it.
The Powerful One-Time Purchase: Affinity Publisher
Publisher is the software that made Adobe nervous.
You pay once. That’s it. No monthly fees eating into your budget while you’re trying to build a freelance career.
I’ve tested Publisher against InDesign on real projects. For most professional work, it holds up. The tools are there. The precision is there. The output quality matches what clients expect.
What you’re giving up is the massive community. InDesign has thousands of plugins and millions of users sharing tips. Publisher’s community is smaller but growing.
Best for: Freelancers, small businesses, and professionals who want professional features without subscription fatigue.
If you don’t need every single InDesign plugin, Publisher will save you hundreds of dollars a year.
The Free & Open-Source Champion: Scribus
Scribus is completely free. Not a trial. Not a limited version. Actually free.
What surprises people is that Scribus supports CMYK color (which matters if you’re doing professional printing). It has vector drawing tools built in. These features usually cost money.
I won’t pretend the interface is as smooth as commercial options. It’s not. The learning curve sits somewhere in the middle. Not as steep as InDesign but not as easy as what’s coming next.
For nonprofits or anyone working on a tight budget, Scribus delivers professional print features without the price tag. You can learn more about it at shotscribus.
Best for: Budget-conscious users, nonprofits, and anyone needing professional print features at zero cost.
The tradeoff is a less polished interface. But free is free.
The Accessible Cloud-Based Tool: Canva
Here’s where I need to be clear about something.
Canva isn’t really desktop publishing software. It’s a web-based design platform that works great for simple projects.
Think flyers. Social media graphics. Basic marketing materials. Canva excels at template-driven work that needs to look good fast.
What it can’t do is handle the fine typography control or complex multi-page layouts that traditional DTP software manages. You’re trading power for speed and simplicity.
Best for: Beginners, marketers creating quick designs, and teams that need to collaborate online.
If you’re designing a 200-page book with precise typographic control, Canva will frustrate you. If you need a decent-looking flyer in 10 minutes, it’s perfect.
How to Choose the Right Document Design Software for You
You know what drives me crazy?
Spending two hours designing something only to realize the software can’t actually do what you need. Or worse, finding out right before a deadline that your “free” tool won’t export in the format your printer requires.
I’ve been there. Multiple times.
The problem isn’t that there aren’t enough options. It’s that there are too many. And most comparison articles just list features without telling you what actually matters for your situation.
Some designers will tell you to just learn InDesign and call it a day. That it’s the industry standard and everything else is a waste of time.
But here’s what they’re missing.
Not everyone needs (or can afford) a $55 monthly subscription for a tool they’ll use twice a year. And if you’re just starting out, jumping straight into InDesign is like learning to drive in a semi truck.
Let me walk you through what actually matters when picking document design software.
Your budget shapes everything. Subscriptions like Adobe Creative Cloud make sense if you’re using the tools constantly. One time purchases work better for occasional projects. Free options like shotscribus can handle serious work if you’re willing to learn them.
The learning curve is real. I’m not going to sugarcoat it. Some platforms take weeks to feel comfortable with. Others you can figure out in an afternoon.
Match the tool to your project. A single page flyer doesn’t need the same horsepower as a 200 page manual. Using overpowered software for simple jobs just slows you down.
Think about how you work. Do you need teammates jumping in from different locations? Cloud tools win here. Working solo on sensitive projects? Desktop software gives you more control.
Know where it’s going. Digital only? Almost anything works. Sending files to a professional printer? You need proper print features or you’ll waste money on reprints.
The Right Tool for a Flawless Layout
You now have a clear map of the best software for creating professional documents.
I’ve shown you everything from industry-standard powerhouses to accessible free alternatives. Each one has its place depending on what you need to accomplish.
The frustration of trying to force a word processor to be a design tool is over. You don’t have to fight with margins and text boxes anymore.
When you choose a dedicated DTP or design platform based on your budget and skill level, you gain real control. Your layouts will finally look as polished as they should.
Here’s what to do: Go back to the key decision factors we outlined. Match them against your specific requirements. Pick the tool that fits best and start creating.
Your documents should reflect the quality of your work. Now they will.
shotscribus gives you the technical knowledge you need to make informed decisions about your tools. We break down complex software choices so you can move forward with confidence.
Stop settling for layouts that don’t represent your standards. Choose your tool and get to work.