Yes, We Still Print Microsoft Publisher Files!
Do you have an old Microsoft Publisher (.pub) file that you need printed?
Discount Printing Service can continue to accept and print Microsoft Publisher files as long as we are able to open and properly process the file.
However, Microsoft Publisher reached its end of life in October 2026. Microsoft 365 subscribers are losing access to Publisher as the retirement takes effect, and support for perpetual versions of Publisher is scheduled to end October 13, 2026. If you have important Publisher files, we recommend preserving them and converting them to PDF whenever possible.
What Should I Do With My Microsoft Publisher Files?
If you have Publisher files that you use for business cards, brochures, newsletters, forms, letterhead, flyers or other printed materials, we recommend:
1. Identify your important Publisher files.
Find the .pub files that you may need to print, modify or reorder in the future.
2. Convert important files to PDF while you still can.
PDF is our preferred file format for submitting finished artwork for commercial printing. Converting important files while you can still open them helps preserve a version of your artwork that can be used for future printing.
3. Keep your original Publisher files if possible.
Even after creating a PDF, keep a backup of the original .pub file. It may be useful for future artwork recreation or conversion.
4. Begin using a modern design application for new projects.
There are many alternatives to Microsoft Publisher, including Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Express, Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Scribus, Canva and other design applications.
What If My Microsoft Publisher Program No Longer Works?
If you have a Publisher file but Microsoft Publisher is no longer installed, won't open, or is no longer working properly on your computer, don't immediately assume that your artwork has been lost.
Contact Discount Printing Service before recreating the artwork from scratch.
If you have the original .pub file, send it to us and we can determine whether we are able to open and process it.
We cannot guarantee that every old Publisher file can be opened or converted. Older files may contain fonts, graphics, links or other elements that can affect how the publication opens or prints.
However, we may be able to help you determine the best way to get your existing artwork printed or recreated.
Need an Old Publisher File Recreated?
If your Publisher software is no longer working and your .pub file cannot be opened, there may still be options.
Depending on the file and the condition of the artwork, we may be able to:
- Attempt to open and process the original Publisher file
- Work from an existing PDF or printed copy
- Recreate portions of an existing design
- Prepare artwork for commercial printing
- Update an existing design
- Create a new version of the artwork using modern graphic design tools
If significant graphic design work is required, we can provide a separate design quote before proceeding. Graphic design fees are separate from printing prices.
Learn more about our Graphic Design & Print File Preparation services.
What Can I Use Instead of Microsoft Publisher?
There is no single replacement that is best for everyone. The right application depends on the type of artwork you create and how much control you need over the design.
Adobe Creative Cloud
For professional commercial graphic design, Adobe offers several applications:
Adobe InDesign — Professional page layout and desktop publishing for brochures, newsletters, catalogs and other multi-page documents.
Adobe Illustrator — Vector artwork, logos, illustrations and graphics.
Adobe Photoshop — Photo editing and image manipulation.
Adobe Express — An easier-to-use design platform for creating many types of marketing materials and visual content.
Other Design Applications
Depending on your project, other applications may also be useful:
- Scribus — Free, open-source desktop-publishing software with page-layout features.
- Canva — An online design platform with templates and tools for creating marketing materials.
- Microsoft Word — Suitable for many text-based documents and simpler printing projects.
- Microsoft PowerPoint — Useful for certain single-page layouts, presentations and graphics.
- Inkscape — Free vector-graphics software for logos, illustrations and scalable artwork.
- GIMP — Free image-editing software for photographs and raster graphics.
Modern design applications provide a range of templates, layout tools, graphics and editing features that can help individuals and small businesses develop professional-looking materials. The best choice depends on the project, your experience and the level of control you need.
For additional software options, see our Free DIY Graphic Design Software for Printing guide.
Preparing Publisher Artwork for Commercial Printing
If you are still able to open your Publisher file, we recommend saving a PDF version of the finished artwork whenever possible.
Before submitting a PDF for printing, check the:
- Finished document size
- Bleed requirements
- Safe margins
- Image resolution
- Color setup
- Fonts and graphics
- Folding or finishing requirements
- Spelling and other content
PDF is our preferred file format for finished artwork submitted for commercial printing.
For more information about preparing artwork, see our File Preparation for Commercial Printing and Print Design, Layout & Document Setup guides.
We Can Help With Your Microsoft Publisher Project
If you have an old Microsoft Publisher file that you need printed, don't assume you have to recreate the entire project yourself.
Contact Discount Printing Service and let us know what you have.
If we can open and process the file, we can determine the best way to prepare it for printing.
If your Publisher software no longer works, we can discuss whether your existing file can be recovered, converted or recreated.
And if you're ready to move away from Publisher completely, we can help you transition your existing printed materials to a modern, print-ready workflow.
Call us at 678-561-8151 or contact Discount Printing Service for assistance with your Publisher file.