What is the Typical Workflow from QGIS to Publishing Programs?

My suggestion would be to export to PDF or SVG. Here is a PDF I found on a workflow from QGIS to Inkscape.

In the past, when I worked on MapInfo, I hated the map production outputs so much, I would export each layer separately as a PDF. I would then bring the layers in to Adobe Illustrator which is similar to Inkscape. I found that I had much more control on the map output that way.

Keep in mind that QGIS does not support layered PDF for exports.

Why would you need to use another tool if QGIS print composer or atlas plugin supports CAD-type templates and layouts? If you really need to do that, then use QGIS print composer and export to PNG and bring that into inkscape. I created some quite detailed print templates with north symbols, logos, text boxes etc. Just as detailed as a CAD layout by just using QGIS composer.

I agree with the suggestion that for the time being it's best to export from the print composer as a PDF and load this into Inkscape.

It's also worth bearing Scribus in mind. Get the map looking about right in the print composer and export it as a PDF. Then load the PDF into Adobe Reader and "print" it to a PostScript (.PS) file. This can be directly loaded into Scribus (don't create a new document, just import the file). In Scribus you can add text boxes, graphics boxes, symbols and labels, et cetera, and then export the finished product as a PDF.

I've been using this way of working for some time now and am pleased with the results I get. As a DTP package Scribus is very strong (and it's free, which is even better).

N.