However, recent versions have greater capabilities concerning color separations and proper process coloring output. are either not fully-functional or simply unavailable (especially in previous versions). Many higher-end features like transparency, object shadowing, slugs, text on paths, built-in PDF output, etc. Publisher's position as an entry-level application aggravates lots of issues (particularly in older versions) such as fonts unavailable and embedded objects not available on service providers' machines (however, Publisher does come with tools to pack related files into a self-expanding application). Publisher has historically been less well-liked among high-end commercial print shops, compared with other desktop publishing applications. This reflects Microsoft's emphasis on Publisher as an easy way to use and less expensive alternative to the 'heavyweights' and also its focus on the small business market where firms do not have dedicated design professionals available to make marketing materials and other documents. Publisher is included in high-end editions of Microsoft Office.

It is often considered to be an entry-level desktop publishing application, differing from Microsoft Word in that the emphasis is placed on page layout and design rather than text composition and proofing.

publisher Microsoft Office Publisher (previously and commonly Microsoft Publisher) is a desktop publishing application from Microsoft.

Office 2013 publisher