Description
Imagesetters process images and graphic templates by using phototypesetting machines. They optimise the templates for the best possible result by determining the right arrangement of text and image on the print sheet. The product is then set onto photo paper or film.
Other titles
The following job titles also refer to imagesetter:
imagesetter engineer
phototypesetter technician
phototypesetting machine operator
phototypesetting machine engineer
phototypesetter operator
imagesetter technician
phototypesetter engineer
phototypesetting machine technician
Minimum qualifications
A high school diploma is generally required to work as an imagesetter.
ISCO skill level
ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:
- the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
- the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
- the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.
Imagesetter is a Skill level 2 occupation.
Imagesetter career path
Similar occupations
These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to imagesetter.
typesetter
prepress operator
prepress technician
reprographics technician
lithographer
Long term prospects
These occupations require some skills and knowledge of imagesetter. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of imagesetter with a significant experience and/or extensive training.
print studio supervisor
3D printing technician
webmaster
gaming inspector
equine dental technician
Essential knowledge and skills
Essential knowledge
This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of imagesetter.
- Typography: The procedure of arranging written texts for printing processes.
- Reprography: The process of reproducing, reprinting, or copying graphic material especially by mechanical or electronic means such as photography or xerography.
- 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.
- 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.
- Printing techniques: The techniques and processes to reproduce text and images using a master form or template such as letterpress printing, gravure, and laser printing.
- 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.
- 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.
- Graphic design: The techniques to create a visual representation of ideas and messages.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Print stripping: Printing technique in which the printed pages are arranged into specific patterns in order to create efficient printing plates. This has to be planned correctly so that the printed material can be folded to produce the requested brochures or books with the correct pagination and to be cut down after printing.
- Typesetting machines: The various typesetting or composing machines include linotype, monotype, and phototype machines. They are used for assembling letters and characters into cast stripes or lines.
- 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.
- 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.
Essential skills and competences
These skills are necessary for the role of imagesetter.
- 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.
- Output electronic files: Load customer supplied electronic files onto the prepress file server, whilst checking them for completeness and potential problems. Communicate eventual problems with customers and production personnel.
- Interpret illustration needs: Communicate with clients, editors and authors in order to interpret and fully understand their professional needs.
- Align content with form: Align form and content to make sure they fit together.
- Apply desktop publishing techniques: Apply desktop publishing techniques and software to create page layouts and typographic quality text.
- Arrange printer sheets: Fully arrange or separate a printed product’s pages on a printer sheet in order to reduce paper waste and printing time by using an imposition proof.
- Operate imagesetter: Use a typesetting device that transfers electronic text and graphics directly to film, printing plates or photo-sensitive paper. The image is generated by a laser and raster image processor. Their use is to proof documents before the making of printing plates.
- Use typesetting software: Use specialised computer programs to arrange the type of texts and images to be printed.
- Follow safety precautions in printing: Apply safety and health principles, policies and institutional regulations of working in printing production. Protect oneself and others against such hazards as chemicals used in printing, invasive allergens, heat, and disease causing agents.
- 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.
- Lay out digital written content: Lay out pages by selecting sizes, styles and entering text and graphics into computer systems.
- Operate digital printers: Handle inkjet and laser printers, allowing the operator to print documents in a single ‘pass’. Download or print the digital files to the digital printing machine using the correct machine and print download settings so that the correct fonts and substrates are used and the output meets the specifications and required quality standards.
- 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.
Optional knowledge and skills
Optional knowledge
This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of imagesetter. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.
- Publishing industry: Key stakeholders in the publishing industry. Acquisition, marketing and distribution of newspapers, books, magazines and other informative works, including electronic media.
- Printing plate making: The different techniques used to produce the plates that will be mounted on rolls for the flexographic or offset printing process such as laser engraving or the technique consisting in placing a film negative over a plate exposed to ultra-violet light.
- Prepress processes: The processes that occur between the creation of a print layout and the final printing, such as copyediting, proofing, proofreading and others.
- Printing media: Specific techniques related to various printing surfaces such plastics, metal, glass, textiles, wood, and paper.
- Printed goods processes: The various types and characteristics of producing printed goods such as catalogues, flyers, etc.
- Maintenance of printing machines: Upkeep procedures and technical working of machines that produce printed graphical material.
Optional skills and competences
These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of imagesetter. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.
- Communicate with customers: Respond to and communicate with customers in the most efficient and appropriate manner to enable them to access the desired products or services, or any other help they may require.
- Follow work schedule: Manage the sequence of activities in order to deliver completed work on agreed deadlines by following a work schedule.
- Set colour profiles: Maintain consistent colour output in digital colour and inkjet printers by running calibration routines and making sure that the colour profiles for the printers are still accurate.
- Digitise documents: Load analog documents by converting them into a digital format, using specialised hardware and software.
- Create digital images: Create and process two-dimensional and three-dimensional digital images depicting animated objects or illustrating a process, using computer animation or modelling programs.
- Proofread text: Read a text thoroughly, search for, review and correct errors to ensure content is valid for publishing.
- Reproduce documents: Reproduce documents such as reports, posters, booklets, brochures, and catalogues for a range of audiences.
- Perform image editing: Edit various types of images such as analogue and digital photographs or illustrations.
- Inspect printing output: Verify that the printing output is satisfactory using various methods such as visual verification, use of spectrophotometers or densitometers. The problems that might occur include misregisters or colour variation.
- Reduce dots: Use a contact frame or automatic film processor to reduce the size of dots in printing plates by increasing or reducing colour.
- Use colour printing programs: Use colour printing programs, such as the CMYK colour (ink) model for various pressing machines.
- Maintain lithographic printing plates: Produce and store plates used in lithographic offset printing by running a previously imposed and ripped file to plate or exposing and developing the plate using hand tools or machines.
- Operate scanner: Set up and operate scanner equipment and its hard- and software.
- Prepare films for printing plates: Place the photographic materials coated with a light-sensitive substance on the printing plate in such a way that will limit waste and facilitate printing processes. Place the plates in the machine for the different exposure and curing processes.
- Track changes in text editing: Track changes such as grammar and spelling corrections, element additions, and other modifications when editing (digital) texts.
- Develop film: Prepare tools and developing and printing equipment. Develop and print exposed film using chemicals.
ISCO group and title
7321 – Pre-press technicians
References
- Imagesetter – ESCO