Description
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.
Duties
The duties of a typestter include, but are not limited to:
- Typesetting publication materials such as books, magazines, brochures, or newsletters
- Proofreading the text to ensure it is free of errors before printing
- Reading manuscript material and formatting it accordingly using computer software such as Adobe InDesign or QuarkXPress
- Using specialized computer programs to set type using digital files from authors or other sources
- Setting the type for books, magazines, brochures, or other publications
- Performing layout work to arrange text and images on a page in accordance with the publisher’s requirements
- Working with authors to review drafts of their work for accuracy, format, and style prior to publication
- Setting type from manuscript or electronic files using computerized typesetting equipment such as photocomposition systems or computerized typesetting systems
- Communicate with editors about any changes that need to be made to ensure that the layout meets their requirements
Working conditions
Typesetters work in a variety of settings, including print shops, publishing houses, advertising agencies, and corporate communications departments. They typically work a standard 40-hour week, although they may occasionally have to work overtime to meet deadlines. The work can be repetitive and sometimes stressful, as typesetters must pay close attention to detail and be able to work quickly and accurately.
Other titles
The following job titles also refer to typesetter:
typesetting technician
typesetting specialist
graphic designer & typesetter
digital typesetter
typesetting machine operative
typesetting machine worker
typesetting worker
typesetting operative
production typesetter
typesetting machine technician
designer & typesetter
typesetting machine specialist
typesetting machine operator
typesetting operator
graphic designer and typesetter
designer and typesetter
Minimum qualifications
A high school diploma is generally required to work as a typesetter. Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have a bachelor’s degree in graphic design, fine arts or another related field.
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.
Typesetter is a Skill level 2 occupation.
Typesetter career path
Similar occupations
These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to typesetter.
imagesetter
prepress operator
prepress technician
proofreader
reprographics technician
Long term prospects
These occupations require some skills and knowledge of typesetter. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of typesetter with a significant experience and/or extensive training.
print studio supervisor
publishing rights manager
3D printing technician
webmaster
court reporter
Essential knowledge and skills
Essential knowledge
This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of typesetter.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Prepress processes: The processes that occur between the creation of a print layout and the final printing, such as copyediting, proofing, proofreading and others.
- 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 typesetter.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Use typesetting software: Use specialised computer programs to arrange the type of texts and images to be printed.
- Consult with editor: Consult with the editor of a book, magazine, journal or other publications about expectations, requirements, and progress.
- Apply grammar and spelling rules: Apply the rules of spelling and grammar and ensure consistency throughout texts.
- 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.
- Transcribe texts: Use input devices such as mouse, keyboard and scanner, to transcribe texts into a computer.
- 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.
- 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.
Optional knowledge and skills
Optional knowledge
This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of typesetter. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.
- Digital printing: The technique that allows printing a digital-based image directly onto a variety of materials, mostly using inkjet or laser printer.
- Publishing industry: Key stakeholders in the publishing industry. Acquisition, marketing and distribution of newspapers, books, magazines and other informative works, including electronic media.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 typesetter. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.
- Respect data protection principles: Ensure that access to personal or institutional data conforms to the legal and ethical framework governing such access.
- 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.
- Follow a brief: Interpret and meet requirements and expectations, as discussed and agreed upon with the customers.
- Troubleshoot: Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.
- Digitise documents: Load analog documents by converting them into a digital format, using specialised hardware and software.
- Manage offset printing process: Select and oversee implementation of relevant printing processes, necessary tools, and colours.
- Proofread text: Read a text thoroughly, search for, review and correct errors to ensure content is valid for publishing.
- 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.
- Manage data: Administer all types of data resources through their lifecycle by performing data profiling, parsing, standardisation, identity resolution, cleansing, enhancement and auditing. Ensure the data is fit for purpose, using specialised ICT tools to fulfill the data quality criteria.
- 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.
- Draw design sketches: Create rough pictures to assist in creating and communicating design concepts.
ISCO group and title
7321 – Pre-press technicians
References
- Typesetter – ESCO
- Typesetter Job Description: Salary, Duties, & More – Climb the Ladder
- Featured image: By Bundesarchiv, Bild 183-27924-0001 / CC-BY-SA 3.0, CC BY-SA 3.0 de