Abstract: In a desktop publishing application program, functionality is provided for automatic trapping of all page objects in a publication. Each page object is trapped as completely as possible, meaning that each page object is subdivided into atomic geometric or color page object components. Each page object component is trapped against all of the page object components of the same page object. These page object components are then trapped against all objects beneath them on a page in the publication. In some cases, page object components are also trapped against page objects above them on the page. Page objects beneath the page object components are decomposed into page object components as well. Page object components may be trapped according to correct adjacency trapping principles as well as general-purpose trapping principles. Text characters contained within page objects in the publication are trapped as well.