Computers are ideal tools for certain design related jobs, like creating business cards, flyers or letterheads. Many word processing applications come with basic capabilities and some templates to get users started. Those who want a professional solution can either hire a designer for a few hundred bucks, or use a program like SpringPublisher to create their own templates.
SpringPublisher is a desktop publishing software that can be used to design and print business cards, flyers, postcards and letterheads, among others. The program is template driven, with templates available after installation and additional ones in the online store.
Users who first start the program can create a new project by starting with a blank template, or select an existing template from the local storage or the online store.
Templates can be modified easily once they have been loaded into the program. A click on text or visual elements opens the element’s properties. Here it is possible to make direct changes to the template. All it takes for instance to enter your name and address is to click on the elements and change the default text under Element Properties. You can alternatively double-click on an entry for even quicker editing.
It is furthermore possible to remove elements from the template if they are not needed or if they need to be replaced. Shapes, text and images can be inserted into each template easily with a click on one of the Insert buttons on the left sidebar.
Images need to be selected from the local system. They are initially displayed in their original size which can be altered under Element Properties. Here it is possible to change the width and height, vertical and horizontal alignment, orientation, opacity and several other parameters.
Here is an overview of what you can add, edit or remove from a design template:
- Insert Images: Load jpg, png, gif or bmp images. Edit their resolution, position, opacity, orientation, shadow and tile.
- Insert Text: Select font size and color, use formatting options like bold or underline. Select the width and height of the text and font separately.
- Insert Shapes: Insert geometric shapes, change their colors and position.
- Page Manager: Create multi-page layouts, for instance the front and back of a business card.
Projects can be saved as project files or images. The former is handy if you want to have a copy of the design on your computer, for instance to act as a template or as a backup if you need to make modifications at a later time.
The images can be saved as low (96dpi), medium (180dpi) or high (350dpi) quality images. The active design can be printed locally as well with a click on the print button.
Creating Templates
Most users are probably interested in creating their own designs and templates, and that’s relatively easy with SpringPublisher. It begins with the selection of a standard sized project, for instance a US business card or European letterhead, or a custom sized project. Selecting a standard size ensures that print shops can print out the finalized design easily.
A blank template is then generated and displayed on screen. It is then up to the user to add the contents. Since that is easy to do it should not pose any problems, even to inexperienced users.
SpringPublisher Verdict
What I really like about SpringPublisher is the ability to edit and move around all elements at the same time. While it is possible to create a blank template, I would suggest that new users start with an existing template to get to know the program and modify the design according to their needs.
The real strength of the program is the ability to design and print new templates with little effort and design experience.
SpringPublisher is offered as a Free and Professional version. The professional version comes with free template store credits, rights for commercial use and the high quality dpi output option.
Giveaway
We have ten licenses for the program that we want to give away. Winners will be drawn randomly from all users who leave a comment under this review. Good luck everyone. The giveaway ends in one week’s time.
Update:
The winners are: Guy from Canada, Jordan Humberto de Souza, Paul, Jan Wroblewski, Carl Turcotte, sunkumarspace, Ravi Lodhiya, Gerry, Don and Niroop.
Related Articles:
Microsoft Office 2007 Design FamiliesFastPictureViewer Professional Review And Giveaway [Ghacks Christmas Giveaway]
Bulk Image Downloader Review And Giveaway [Ghacks Christmas Giveaway]
A Beginner’s Guide to Using Templates in MS Excel and Word 2007/ 2010
Hitman Pro Review and Giveaway [Ghacks Christmas Giveaway]
Enjoyed the article?: Then sign-up for our free newsletter or RSS feed to kick off your day with the latest technology news and tips, or share the article with your friends and contacts on Facebook, Twitter or Google+ using the icons below.
First, thanks to ghacks.net and to SpringPublisher for this giveaway. Please include me in this draw. Thanks in advance and good luck to everyone.
i’m in
I appreciate the chance to get in on this. Thanks Mr. Brinkman. Nice site btw.
=] Give it away to me! =D
I’m always following your posts, + i need a professional card maker.
I would be interested in this as well!
Not familiar with it but looks nice
derp derp plez :)
Link to manufacturer website is not accessible from the article
Nice!
Me too please
Looks like a very useful piece of software, would very much like to use, please include me in your draw for the pro version, thankyou
Looks like a (quit) sophisticated program.
I’d be interested in trying this program out.
Thanks for this review. In good old time, I was using Pagemaker software a lot. Springpublisher could be the one I was waiting for. Word is bad for flyers, single page article or anything else that a multiple pages document.
Rolls dice…
It seems like an interesting and very good program.
Thanks
Ability to edit! That’s quite useful. Would like to be included in the draw.
Thanks
Please put my name in for this drawing.
Thank you for bringing this offer to us!!!
I’m in too, please.
Thanks, I’ll pass. The freeware version is readily online, and one can upgrade to pro; it clicks in the brain, however, that “more templates can be found at the online store” means the better templates will cost the user. For those who lose out, try the following: http://www.freeserifsoftware.com/ .
Nice software, I would like to have a chance to work with this. Good luck to all and many thanks to Ghacks.net for their excellent articles.
Interesting software, will try the free version first and hoping to win one of the giveaway.
Looks handy. I could use a copy! :)
Nice giveaway, Count me in……….!
{B}Hope to win………
Thanks
nice one here, if available i’d like one
thanks for this discovery
thanks,nice one,please include me in this giveaway
thanks for giveaway, please count me in
hope to win
thanks for good software and very nice software! Thanks for the chance to win!!!
Desktop publishing software would be a welcome addition to my small collection of useful office applications. Thanks… I hope I win one!
p/s count me in.nice give way