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 has announced that Microsoft Publisher will reach end of life in October 2026. Microsoft 365 subscribers will no longer be able to access Publisher after October 1, 2026, and support for perpetual versions of Publisher ends October 13, 2026.
If you have important artwork stored as Microsoft Publisher files, we strongly recommend that you begin preserving those files now rather than waiting until Publisher is no longer available.
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. Microsoft also recommends converting existing Publisher files to PDF before Publisher reaches end of life.
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.
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 powerful applications:
Adobe InDesign — Professional page layout and desktop publishing.
Adobe Illustrator — Vector artwork, logos, illustrations and graphics.
Adobe Photoshop — Photo editing and image manipulation.
Adobe Express — A much easier-to-use design platform for creating many types of marketing materials and visual content.
Adobe Express and AI-Assisted Design
Modern design tools have changed considerably from the days when every element of a printed piece had to be created manually.
Adobe Express and Adobe Firefly can help with design concepts, graphics, images and other creative tasks, allowing certain types of artwork to be developed much more efficiently.
This can be especially helpful for small businesses and organizations that don't have an in-house graphic designer.
AI-generated artwork is not automatically print-ready artwork, however. The finished design still needs to be reviewed and properly prepared for commercial printing, including document size, resolution, bleed, color and PDF output.
Discount Printing Service can also use modern AI-assisted design tools as part of our graphic design workflow. This can allow us to complete certain projects more efficiently and potentially offer more affordable flat-rate design fees for qualifying projects.
Free Alternatives to Microsoft Publisher
If you are looking for a free desktop publishing application, Scribus is one option worth considering.
Scribus is an open-source desktop publishing application that can be used to create page layouts and many types of printed documents.
Other applications may be useful depending on the type of artwork you need to create, including:
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Designer
- Canva
- Inkscape
- GIMP
The best choice depends on your particular project and your experience with graphic design software.
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.