Typesetter
Dublin Core
Title
Typesetter
Subject
An article reprinted in The Silent Worker describing the field of printing.
Description
Articles were printed and reprinted in Deaf publications offering advice and insight on work in the field of printing. This article emphasized the specialized training required of printers and outlined the process of obtaining employment and union membership.
Publisher
Gallaudet University Archives
Date
1917
Rights
This Item has been made available for educational and research purposes by the Drs. John S. and Betty J. Schuchman Deaf Documentary Center at Gallaudet University. This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You may need to obtain permission for your intended use if your use is otherwise not permitted by the copyright and applicable related rights legislation. For specific information about the copyright and reproduction rights for this Item, please contact the Schuchman Deaf Documentary Center: https://www.gallaudet.edu/drs-john-s-and-betty-j-schuchman-deaf-documentary-center
Text Item Type Metadata
Text
TYPESETTER
The work of setting type is one of the most important branches of the printing trade, and requires a certain amount of skill which can only be acquired by experience. Therefore the experienced, reliable typesetter is a valuable man in the printing business.
There are several definite classes of typesetters or compositors. The job compositor employed in the setting of type for books is one of them, An- other very important class of compositors consists of the men engaged in the newspaper printing office working the linotype machines.
Every young man who desires to become a type- setter must possess a certain definite liking for mechanical work. He must have a quickness of eye, be rapid in his movements and be at all times wide awake. He must especially be a master of spelling and punctuation and have a good grammar school education.
Almost all successful typesetters belong to the union of their trade. In the majority of newspaper shops typesetters must be members of the typo- graphical union.
The only way to learn the work of typesetting is to enter a printing-shop as an apprentice. Three to five j-ears is the time usually required to complete the term of apprenticeship. All learners receive a small wage during the period of apprenticeship, which varies with the locality, size of shop and kind of printing done. The average pay, however, is one dollar per day. At the end of three to five years the young man becomes a journeyman print- er, or compositor, entitled to full pay.
Most typesetters receive from $24 to $36 per week. Foremen in printing officers receive more. The highest paid men in this line of business are those engaged in setting up type for advertisements. This work requires special care and skill. These men receive as high as $40 per week. — Press Publishing.
The work of setting type is one of the most important branches of the printing trade, and requires a certain amount of skill which can only be acquired by experience. Therefore the experienced, reliable typesetter is a valuable man in the printing business.
There are several definite classes of typesetters or compositors. The job compositor employed in the setting of type for books is one of them, An- other very important class of compositors consists of the men engaged in the newspaper printing office working the linotype machines.
Every young man who desires to become a type- setter must possess a certain definite liking for mechanical work. He must have a quickness of eye, be rapid in his movements and be at all times wide awake. He must especially be a master of spelling and punctuation and have a good grammar school education.
Almost all successful typesetters belong to the union of their trade. In the majority of newspaper shops typesetters must be members of the typo- graphical union.
The only way to learn the work of typesetting is to enter a printing-shop as an apprentice. Three to five j-ears is the time usually required to complete the term of apprenticeship. All learners receive a small wage during the period of apprenticeship, which varies with the locality, size of shop and kind of printing done. The average pay, however, is one dollar per day. At the end of three to five years the young man becomes a journeyman print- er, or compositor, entitled to full pay.
Most typesetters receive from $24 to $36 per week. Foremen in printing officers receive more. The highest paid men in this line of business are those engaged in setting up type for advertisements. This work requires special care and skill. These men receive as high as $40 per week. — Press Publishing.
Citation
“Typesetter,” DeafPrinters, accessed May 3, 2024, https://deafprinters.com/items/show/102.