Doctrinal publishing (DTP) is the process of creating documents on a personal computer (“desktop”) with specialized software. While it was first almost solely used for print publications, it is now widely utilized to help create a variety of online content types.[1] Page layouts and text and image content produced using desktop publishing software are analogous to the more straightforward forms of conventional typography and printing. With the use of this technology, people, companies, and other organizations can publish a wide range of content on their own without having to pay for commercial printing, including books, magazines, and menus.

In order to prepare documents for large-scale publishing or small-scale local printing and distribution, desktop publishing often requires the use of a personal computer and WYSIWYG page layout software; however, non-WYSIWYG technologies like TeX and LaTeX are also employed, particularly in academic publications.

Word processing software has grown to cover most, if not all, of the features that were formerly exclusive to specialized desktop publishing software. Initially, desktop publishing methods offered more control over design, layout, and typography than word processing software.

Graphics for point-of-sale displays, presentations, infographics, brochures, business cards, promotional products, trade fair exhibits, retail package designs, and outdoor signs can occasionally be created using the same DTP tools and abilities as standard paper publishing.