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.

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Personality Type

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

follow work schedule manage data draw design sketches publishing industry inspect printing output digitise documents troubleshoot prepare films for printing plates typesetting machines perform image editing manage offset printing process printing plate making proofread text maintenance of printing machines printed goods processes digital printing respect data protection principles communicate with customers printing techniques follow a brief

Source: Sisyphus ODB