Adobe PageMaker introduced the world to desktop publishing when it was introduced in 1985. The software provided a tool to integrate images and text in a design that could be printed as a booklet, brochure or poster. In the following years, many vendors developed similar products aimed at the educators and small businesses with publishing needs.

Adobe discontinued development on PageMaker in 2004 with the introduction of the InDesign product. InDesign offered the same capabilities for small projects that PageMaker featured but added capabilities for books and larger products. PageMaker has not seen any new enhancements or upgrades since 2004 although the product is still available.

Users who respect its limitations still find PageMaker a useful software product. It is among the simplest ways to create such items as newsletters or short brochures although it would fail at producing a book or magazine. The software allows the use of templates for efficient design and works with the fonts installed on the computer. Many of the icons, tools and procedures used in PageMaker are similar to the other Adobe products allowing for a quick learning curve. Output can be printed or saved as PDFs for use by professional printers. It offers almost all the function of higher end publishing software but tailored for use on smaller projects.

Adobe continues to market PageMaker through its own website and other retailers and online outlets. There are less third party sites offering tutorials and other information than are available for InDesign. Users may find Adobe PageMaker just what they need to produce posters, brochures and newsletters for their club, business or school.