GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CLASS
The TYPESETTER prepares, operates, and maintains electronic or mechanical equipment used to select and set type
to produce camera-ready hard copy or negatives which will be used to make a production plate in a printing plant.
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
This is a single classification and not currently part of a series of classes.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Allocation of positions to this class will depend on the total work performed which may include one or a combination
of the duties or tasks listed below.
- Electronic Typing. Typical tasks: receives and reviews customer copy (may be on magnetic tape, computer
disc, or in hard copy form) and work order; determines type style and size required and page formatting; loads
tape or disc into reader equipment or places hard copy onto rack; keys in directions for formatting, type size,
and style at terminal, reviewing copy on video display screen; keys in copy received from customer; interprets
copy edit marks on original and keys in corrections to copy as required; makes provision for open space for graphics
as needed; may create computer graphic or digitize graphic to place into document; and keys in direction for type
style changes, footnotes, or other special requirements; plans each page to accommodate required borders, printing
fold and binder edges; loads completed discs or tapes into electronic phototypesetter which prints copy onto photosensitive
paper, film or onyx plate material; removes paper, film or plate material and inserts into daylight film processing
equipment which produces printed copy (at some plants copy is printed by direct feed from terminal to phototypesetter
or laser typesetter); proofs printed copy for errors and keys in corrections as required onto original tape or
disk; may perform some manual cut and paste or other layout operations to put copy in correct form; may contact
supervisor or customer directly for clarification on order information, to explain production problems in formatting,
or to suggest more economic or appropriate typestyle and formatting or outside media records job number, customer
identification, time worked, and job storage on each order; stores appropriate tape or disc for future reference
or enters into computer memory for later access; forwards completed job to customer for review or to plateroom
for further production processing.
- Mechanical Typesetting. Typical tasks: reviews customer work order to determine type style and size;
uses printer's rule to determine line length; sets up linotype machine which uses hot lead to produce lines of
type; loads machine with lead to be melted and proper type fonts; keys in customer copy to create lines of lead
type used in printing; may, in special order situations, hand select and set preformed type and space bars in a
composing stick, then to a larger form where inserts leads, slugs, or other spacers between lines to adjust length
of setup; may use a proof press to make a proof print of setup; may perform routine maintenance and repair of equipment;
forwards completed setups to press room for press run or proofs to customer for approval; may need to set type
with little or no specifications given, using knowledge of composition to complete setup and proof pages.
- Miscellaneous. Typical tasks: maintains record of all work completed on each job order; notifies supervisor
or customer of problems in composition process on given jobs; cleans and performs routine maintenance on equipment
used; determines when more extensive maintenance or repair is needed; changes chemical and solutions in photoprocessing
equipment; changes rolls of photosensitive paper, electronic printer paper, film or onyx plates and changes or
transfers discs or tapes as needed; uses general knowledge of printing process to recognize when there may be production
problems on any given order; electronically assembles negative imposition layouts into position for press run;
downloads and uploads data between mainframe computer and various pieces of typesetting equipment; communicates
with pressroom, plateroom, and bindery to coordinate and adjust typesetting to needs or limitations of other operations
(e.g., page formats to accommodate press or bindery operational requirements); may assist photocomposition technician
in computer room by changing tapes, discs, or printer rolls, developing copy in photocomposition machine, or setting
up the transmission or receipt of telecommunicated materials with other locations; may train new employees in composition
techniques and the operation and maintenance of equipment used; may assist in plateroom, bindery, or pressroom
when additional help is required. Some positions produce negatives ready for stripping and onyx plates ready for
press.
RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS
Employees in this class have regular telephone or in-person contact with pressroom, bindery staff or camera
room to exchange information about particular jobs to assure that composition made will accommodate equipment or
other production considerations of the other units. There is occasional in-person or telephone contact with customers
to obtain clarification about a job order or to recommend composition changes in order to better suit customer
needs.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Employees in this class, once proficient on the job, receive general supervision from the superior. Work assignments
are usually in the form of a written work order which gives specifics as to how a job is to be set up for the customer.
Problems encountered may be clarified by the supervisor or client. Guidelines include employer provided standards
of production and quality control and manuals or directions for the operation and maintenance of equipment.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Positions are primarily found in the production environment of a printing plant. They require the willingness
to work in the environment associated with the position's location including noise and exposure to the chemicals
associated with the trade.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Satisfactory completion of a typesetter apprenticeship training period; OR
An equivalent combination of training and experience.
The training and/or experience must show:
Knowledge of computerized typesetting equipment, procedures, and processes;
Skills in the set up, operation, and maintenance of electronic, mechanical, and manual typesetting and
auxiliary tools and equipment.
