Who are they and what do they do? The typesetter ‘s task is to prepare, adjust, correct and compose text for printing (in newspapers, periodicals, novels or professional publications, textbooks, dictionaries, legal edicts, etc.) so that they will be fit for printing using the relevant technique.
What are the activities of the job? Proof reading the text to be printed – marking faults (grammatical, typographical or others) using the standard proof reader’s symbols, also in both your own and foreign languages – applying the rules of grammar and spelling – using words and symbols of foreign origin, letters of the Greek alphabet and possibly also other symbols, following the rules of typography – setting and proof reading mathematical and chemical formulae, which do not fit into normal lines – reading revisions and alterations in foreign languages – modification of printed sheets from the point of view of aesthetics and the way letters, ornaments and lines are used – operating control and exposure units, carrying out system operations, using computer programs and type-setting machines for modifying manuscripts, for breaking up text and for other typesetting operations is the work of the typesetter.
Where is it done and under what conditions? In type-setting shops, where the working environment is quite good – but shift work must be expected.
What tools/equipment do they use? The main instruments used are computers and photographic equipment for print setting; to a lesser extent aids for manual print setting such as magnifying glasses, writing and drawing equipment, exposure systems, moulding machines, various chemicals etc.
What do you need to succeed? You need vocational training, concentration, accuracy, and ability to learn.