Creating a New Publication

A publication is the document or page layout that you create in PageMaker.

Publication
     ↓
Page
     ↓
Text + Images + Graphics
     ↓
Final Document

A publication can contain one page or multiple pages.

A new publication provides a workspace where you can design your document.

• Set page size.
• Choose page orientation.
• Set margins.
• Set columns.
• Begin adding text and graphics.

First open PageMaker on your computer.

Start PageMaker
       ↓
Application Opens
       ↓
Create New Publication
       ↓
Begin Designing

The exact appearance of the startup screen may vary depending on the PageMaker version being used.

To create a new publication, use the New command from the File menu.

File
  ↓
New
  ↓
Document Setup
  ↓
New Publication

The new publication setup options allow you to define the basic page properties.

When you create a new publication, PageMaker provides settings related to the page layout.

• Page size
• Orientation
• Margins
• Number of columns
• Column spacing

Page size determines the physical dimensions of the publication page.

Page Size
   ↓
Width + Height
   ↓
Available Design Area

Select a suitable page size according to the type of publication you are creating.

Different publications may require different page sizes.

• A4 – commonly used for documents and office publications
• A5 – useful for smaller documents and booklets
• Letter – commonly used in some regions
• Legal – used for larger legal-style documents
• Custom – used when a specific size is required

Page orientation determines whether the page is vertical or horizontal.

Portrait
   ↓
Vertical Page

Landscape
   ↓
Horizontal Page

Portrait orientation is taller than it is wide.

┌──────────┐
│          │
│          │
│ Portrait │
│          │
│          │
└──────────┘

It is commonly suitable for letters, notices, reports and many standard documents.

Landscape orientation is wider than it is tall.

┌──────────────────┐
│                  │
│    Landscape     │
│                  │
└──────────────────┘

It can be useful for wide layouts, presentations, certain brochures and other horizontal designs.

Margins define the space between the edge of the page and the main content area.

Page
┌──────────────────────┐
│      Top Margin      │
│  ┌────────────────┐  │
│  │    Content     │  │
│  └────────────────┘  │
│    Bottom Margin     │
└──────────────────────┘

Proper margins make the publication easier to read and help maintain a clean layout.

• Provide safe space around content.
• Improve readability.
• Maintain consistent layout.
• Help prepare documents for printing.
• Prevent content from appearing too close to page edges.

Columns divide the content area into vertical sections.

One Column

┌──────────────────┐
│                  │
│      Text        │
│                  │
└──────────────────┘


Two Columns

┌─────────┬─────────┐
│ Column 1│ Column 2│
└─────────┴─────────┘

The number of columns should depend on the type of publication.

The space between two columns is commonly called the gutter.

Column 1       Column 2
─────────     ─────────
  Text    |    Text
  Text    |    Text
          ↑
        Gutter

Proper column spacing keeps the text easy to read.

It is better to decide the basic document settings before adding large amounts of content.

Purpose
   ↓
Page Size
   ↓
Orientation
   ↓
Margins
   ↓
Columns
   ↓
Design

Suppose you want to create an institute notice.

Purpose: Notice
Page: A4
Orientation: Portrait
Columns: 1
Margins: Suitable safe margins
       ↓
Create Publication

After creating the page, you can add the heading, notice content, logo and other required elements.

A newsletter may require multiple columns and several pages.

Purpose: Newsletter
Page: Suitable Size
Orientation: Portrait
Columns: 2 or more
Pages: Multiple if required
       ↓
Create Publication

A flyer usually focuses on a strong visual message and important information.

Purpose: Flyer
Page Size: Required Size
Orientation: Portrait / Landscape
Columns: According to design
       ↓
Create Publication

A brochure may require a carefully planned page structure with several sections.

• Choose the final brochure size.
• Select orientation.
• Plan margins.
• Plan columns or panels.
• Prepare space for images and text.

After selecting the required settings, confirm the new publication setup.

Settings
   ↓
Review
   ↓
Confirm
   ↓
New Publication
   ↓
Design Workspace

After creating the publication, PageMaker displays the new page inside the document window.

New Publication
      ↓
Page Area
      +
Margins
      +
Rulers
      +
Pasteboard
      ↓
Ready for Design

Once the publication is created, you can begin adding content.

1. Create text blocks.
2. Add headings.
3. Import images.
4. Draw shapes.
5. Arrange objects.
6. Format the page.

Save the publication after creating it so that your work can be continued later.

File
  ↓
Save As
  ↓
Choose Location
  ↓
Enter File Name
  ↓
Save

Use a meaningful file name that makes the project easy to identify.

Use descriptive names for your PageMaker publications.

Good:
Institute_Notice
Course_Brochure
Annual_Newsletter

Avoid:
New1
Test
Document2

Meaningful names make your files easier to manage.

• Choosing the wrong page size.
• Using the wrong orientation.
• Ignoring margins.
• Using too many columns.
• Starting design without planning.
• Not saving the publication regularly.

Planning the document before designing helps avoid these problems.

Create a simple A4 publication for an institute notice.

1. Open PageMaker.
2. Create a new publication.
3. Select A4 page size.
4. Choose portrait orientation.
5. Use one column.
6. Set suitable margins.
7. Create the publication.
8. Save the file.

Create three different publications to understand how settings change according to the project.

Project 1 → A4 Notice
Project 2 → Newsletter
Project 3 → Flyer

Compare:
Page Size
Orientation
Margins
Columns

• ☐ Decide the purpose of the document.
• ☐ Choose the page size.
• ☐ Choose portrait or landscape.
• ☐ Set suitable margins.
• ☐ Decide the number of columns.
• ☐ Check the layout settings.
• ☐ Create the publication.
• ☐ Save the publication.

Creating a new publication is the first practical step in designing a document in PageMaker.

Before creating the page, decide the purpose of the document and select appropriate page size, orientation, margins and columns.

Purpose
   ↓
Page Size
   ↓
Orientation
   ↓
Margins
   ↓
Columns
   ↓
New Publication
   ↓
Start Designing