Profession typesetter

Typesetters ensure that printed text is correctly set and visually pleasing. While typesetting was originally done manually and later employed techniques like linotype and phototypesetting, almost all typesetting is now done digitally using design programs or specialised typesetting programs.

Personality Type

• Artistic / Investigative
• Realistic / Conventional

Knowledge

• Typography

  The procedure of arranging written texts for printing processes.

• Adobe Photoshop

  The computer program Adobe Photoshop is a graphical ICT tool which enables digital editing and composition of graphics to generate both 2D raster or 2D vector graphics. It is developed by the software company Adobe.

• SketchBook Pro

  The computer program SketchBook Pro is a graphical ICT tool which enables digital editing and composition of graphics to generate both 2D raster or 2D vector graphics. It is developed by the software company Autodesk.

• Quality standards

  The national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.

• Printing materials

  The materials, such as paper, film, metal foils, and glass, on which texts or designs can be transferred by applying ink through direct pressure or with intermediate rollers.

• Prepress processes

  The processes that occur between the creation of a print layout and the final printing, such as copyediting, proofing, proofreading and others.

• Adobe Illustrator

  The computer program Adobe Illustrator CC is a graphical ICT tool which enables digital editing and composition of graphics to generate both 2D raster or 2D vector graphics. It is developed by the software company Adobe.

• Microsoft Visio

  The computer program Microsoft Visio is a graphical ICT tool which enables digital editing and composition of graphics to generate both 2D raster or 2D vector graphics. It is developed by the software company Microsoft.

• Synfig

  The computer program Synfig is a graphical ICT tool which enables digital editing and composition of graphics to generate both 2D raster or 2D vector graphics. It is developed by Robert Quattlebaum.

• Graphic design

  The techniques to create a visual representation of ideas and messages.

• GIMP (graphics editor software)

  The computer program GIMP is a graphical ICT tool which enables digital editing and composition of graphics to generate both 2D raster or 2D vector graphics. It is developed by The GIMP Development Team.

• Graphics editor software

  The field of graphical ICT tools which enable digital editing and composition of graphics, such as GIMP, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator, to develop both 2D raster or 2D vector graphics.

Skills

• Apply grammar and spelling rules

  Apply the rules of spelling and grammar and ensure consistency throughout texts.

• Use markup languages

  Utilise computer languages that are syntactically distinguishable from the text to add annotations to a document, specify layout and process types of documents such as HTML.

• Interpret illustration needs

  Communicate with clients, editors and authors in order to interpret and fully understand their professional needs.

• Use microsoft office

  Possess the ability to work with the standard programs contained in Microsoft Office at a capable level. Create a document and do basic formatting, insert page breaks, create headers or footers, and insert graphics, create automatically generated tables of contents and merge form letters from a database of addresses (usually in Excel). Create auto-calculating spreadsheets, create images, and sort and filter data tables.

• Operate printing machinery

  Operate machinery for various types of printed documents, adjusting the font, paper size, and weight. This allows ascenders and descenders to be correctly placed.

• Use typesetting software

  Use specialised computer programs to arrange the type of texts and images to be printed.

• Transcribe texts

  Use input devices such as mouse, keyboard and scanner, to transcribe texts into a computer.

• Produce prepress proof

  Make single or multi-coloured test prints to ensure that the product meets the arranged standards. Compare the sample with the template or discuss the result with the customer in order to make the last adjustments before mass production.

• Lay out digital written content

  Lay out pages by selecting sizes, styles and entering text and graphics into computer systems.

• Consult with editor

  Consult with the editor of a book, magazine, journal or other publications about expectations, requirements, and progress.

• Apply desktop publishing techniques

  Apply desktop publishing techniques and software to create page layouts and typographic quality text.

• Track changes in text editing

  Track changes such as grammar and spelling corrections, element additions, and other modifications when editing (digital) texts.

• Prepare imposition

  Use manual or digital techniques to prepare the arrangement of the pages on the printer's sheet to reduce the cost and time of the printing process. Take various factors into account such as the format, the number of pages, the binding technique, and the fibre direction of the printing material.

• Align content with form

  Align form and content to make sure they fit together.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB