Print Magic

{{Infobox software | name = Print Magic | logo =  | logo alt = | screenshot =  | caption = | screenshot alt = | collapsible = | author = | developer = Epyx | released = {{Start date and age|1988}}<ref name="Compute" /> | discontinued = | latest release version = | latest release date =  | latest preview version = | latest preview date =  | programming language = | operating system = | platform = Apple II, MS-DOS<ref name="Compute" /> | size = | language = | language count =  | language footnote = | genre = personal publishing | license = | website =  | standard = | AsOf = }}

'''Print Magic''' is a personal publishing program by Epyx. It was a direct competitor to the leading personal publishing program of the time, The Print Shop, by Broderbund. It was released in 1988 for the Apple II and MS-DOS.<ref name="Compute" /><ref name="printmagicmanual">{{cite news | url=https://archive.org/details/PrintMagicInstructionManualForAppleII1987Epyx | title=Print Magic Instruction Manual for Apple II | work=Epyx | date=1987}}</ref>

Like The Print Shop, Print Magic lets users create a variety of customized documents, mixing graphics and text, such as:<ref name="Compute" /><ref name="nytimes" /><ref name="Apple2000" /> * Greeting cards * Invitations * Award certificates * Meeting announcements * Publicity notices * Scratch pads * Stationery * Banners

The program's three disks aren't copy-protected, so users are free to make "working copies" of them. It employs a Macintosh-like GUI, unusual for software of its time. Most commands and features are accessed via pull-down menus or icons. It can also import clip art from other publishing software, such as The Print Shop and Newsroom. It includes the ability to create custom graphics, such as with a paint program.<ref name="Apple2000" />

Print Magic's included clip art was much higher resolution than other packages and scales much better as well.<ref name="Compute" /> It could also import fonts from Fontrix, a popular font program of the era. The flexibility of the text and graphic layout of documents was one of its most critically acclaimed features, though reviewers noted that sometimes it was troublesome due to the computer's limited resolution.<ref name="Compute" /> However, it also has a zoom function which allows for pixel-precision placement.<ref name="Apple2000" /> Print Magic includes other features, such as the ability to draw various borders on a document, something absent from other contemporary offerings.

==Reception== Print Magic was universally praised for its ease of use, versatility and high-quality graphics, especially compared to contemporary offerings. Duncan Teague of ''Compute!'' gave the program a favorable review saying, "''Print Magic'' provides solutions to nearly every drawback you've encountered with other printing programs... With its ease of use, intuitive interface, exquisite graphics and text, and superior documentation, Print Magic delivers a fine performance."<ref name="Compute" /> Peter Staek of ''Apple2000'' said it "combines the virtues of versatility and easy operation," and, "it is a splendid alternative (or complement) to Print Shop".<ref name="Apple2000" /> The only criticisms of the program were that it only allowed printing in black and white and that a fairly new ribbon should be used when printing.<ref name="Apple2000" />

==Legacy== Print Magic was later incorporated into another Epyx product, Studio of Greetings. Studio of Greetings used Print Magic as its engine to create a variety of greeting cards for any occasion. Released in 1992, Studio of Greetings was available only for MS-DOS.<ref name="nytimes" />

==References== <references>

<ref name="Compute">{{cite journal |last=Teague |first=Duncan |date=May 1988 |title=Print Magic |url=https://archive.org/details/1988-05-compute-magazine |journal=Compute! |page=[https://archive.org/details/1988-05-compute-magazine/page/n79 70] |access-date=July 25, 2014 }}</ref> <ref name="nytimes">{{cite news |last=Shannon |first=L.R. |date=June 23, 1992 |title=PERIPHERALS; Wishing A Merry Unbirthday To All of Us |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/06/23/science/peripherals-wishing-a-merry-unbirthday-to-all-of-us.html |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=July 25, 2014 }}</ref> <ref name="Apple2000">{{cite journal |last=Stark |first=Peter |date=June 1989 |title=Print Magic |url=https://archive.org/details/Apple2000_Vol_4_No_3_June_1989 |journal=Apple2000 |page=[https://archive.org/details/Apple2000_Vol_4_No_3_June_1989/page/n22 21] |access-date=July 25, 2014 }}</ref>

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Category:Desktop publishing software Category:Apple II software Category:DOS software Category:1988 software