typesetting processFor those out-of-the-know, typesetting can seem like a pretty elusive undertaking. We know that the books, magazines, and corporate documents we read every day have been typeset somewhere along the line, but what exactly that involved, we’re not so sure.

The truth is, typesetting is a measured task that requires plenty of planning and forethought – especially when working to a deadline.

Here at Post Pre-Press Group, we have crafted a fool-proof typesetting process. Each step is executed with meticulous attention to detail – we quite literally dot all of our Is and cross all of our Ts.

Let’s breakdown the typesetting process in a little more detail.

The typesetting process: what’s involved

Every project comes with its own set of unique requirements, challenges, and limitations. One minute we’re selecting typefaces for a crime novel, and the next we’re positioning images in a children’s book. It’s this incredible diversity that makes our work such a joy.

The typesetting process we follow typically involves the following steps.

Scoping

Typesetting begins with a consultation, an initial meeting that aims to identify the scope of the project. We’ll also chat about the desired style and layout, as well as your publishing schedule and budget.

Designing

Now, the fun part. Our team gets creative and begins designing your text. We select layouts, fonts, colours, and graphics. We aim to maximise readability – the goal of typesetting is to make reading a delight for your audience.

You will be presented with several design options before you make the final choice.

Creating

This is where the magic happens. We take your manuscript and, using our design as a guide, transform it into a beautifully presented, ready-to-publish masterpiece. If you are publishing digitally, we can provide the final files in PDF, ePub, or Mobi formats.

Checking

If needed, we can offer a fresh pair of expert eyes to proofread your text and note any spelling, grammatical, tense, or flow errors.

A step-by-step outline of the typesetting processnotes

How do the above activities come together when typesetting a book? Here’s the nitty-gritty of the typesetting process.

  1. The client supplies their manuscript as a Word document along with a brief.
  2. We supply a fixed quote for a set number of pages plus an hourly rate for any further corrections.
  3. Based on the design brief, we create and share sample pages.
  4. The client offers feedback, and we make any desired changes to the sample pages.
  5. Once the sample pages are approved by the client, we format the manuscript in Indesign.
  6. We supply the first pages to the client. They can then mark-up the document (either digitally or on a hardcopy) with any edits.
  7. We make any requested changes, and then send the new version to the client.
  8. This process continues until the client is 100 per cent satisfied with the typeset manuscript.
  9. We provide final print-ready files that meet the printer’s specifications, as well as ePub files, if required.

And that’s it. Hopefully, this gives you a more in-depth understanding of what a typesetter does and eases any temptation you might have to tackle the process yourself.

Start your journey to publication today

Have you got a manuscript ready for publication? Perhaps you’ve just finished a corporate document that needs to be distributed ASAP. Whatever it is, the team at Post Pre-Press Group can help.

Find out more about our typesetting services and don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns.