Posted on 04-07-2025 | Category: General | Views: 22
Adobe PageMaker was one of the pioneering desktop publishing (DTP) software tools that revolutionized the print and publishing industry. Used for creating brochures, newsletters, books, and reports, it brought professional publishing capabilities to personal computers. But before Adobe acquired it, PageMaker had its beginnings with a different company.
Here’s a full article exploring the history of PageMaker, its version-wise evolution, original developer, features, and what software replaced it.
Original Developer: Aldus Corporation (Founded in 1984 in Seattle, USA)
First Release: 1985 for Apple Macintosh
Key Innovation: First WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) layout software for page design
PageMaker’s release on the Macintosh platform marked the start of the desktop publishing revolution, particularly when paired with the Apple LaserWriter printer.
| Version | Release Year | Platform | Developer | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PageMaker 1.0 | 1985 | Macintosh | Aldus Corporation | First desktop publishing software, WYSIWYG interface |
| PageMaker 1.2 | 1986 | Macintosh | Aldus | Improved compatibility and print support |
| PageMaker 2.0 | 1987 | Macintosh, Windows | Aldus | Added support for styles, multiple columns |
| PageMaker 3.0 | 1988 | Mac/Win | Aldus | Enhanced typography and templates |
| PageMaker 4.0 | 1990 | Mac/Win | Aldus | Integrated word processor tools |
| PageMaker 5.0 | 1993 | Mac/Win | Aldus | Color support, tables, improved UI |
| PageMaker 6.0 | 1995 | Mac/Win | Adobe Systems | Adobe acquired Aldus in 1994, added PDF export |
| PageMaker 6.5 | 1996 | Mac/Win | Adobe | Better layout features, plug-in support |
| PageMaker 7.0 | 2001 | Mac/Win | Adobe | Final version, added improved PDF support, integration with Adobe tools |
Drag-and-drop page layout tools
Master pages for uniform design
Text wrap, image placement, and precise alignment
Integration with Photoshop and Illustrator (in later versions)
Export to PDF, PostScript, and print-ready formats
Templates for business cards, flyers, reports, etc.
Adobe discontinued PageMaker in 2004
Reason: Outdated architecture and lack of support for newer OS versions
Final supported OS: Windows XP and macOS 9
Did not support Unicode or modern PDF formats natively
Launched: 1999 (as InDesign 1.0)
Purpose: Replace PageMaker with a more powerful layout tool
Key Advantages: Unicode support, full typography controls, live preview, OpenType fonts, professional print output
InDesign quickly became the industry standard for publishing, replacing not only PageMaker but also many QuarkXPress users.
First Released By: Aldus (1985)
Acquired By: Adobe (1994)
Last Version: Adobe PageMaker 7.0 (2001)
Discontinued: 2004
Replaced By: Adobe InDesign