Typesetting Tips: Terms to Know

Typesetting is the process of setting text onto a page. During this process, a typesetter arranges a book’s writing to create the best reading experience. This is done by determining the size of the margins, styling the chapter starts, picking the typeface and size for the content, and more.

As an author, you may or may not choose to typeset your book yourself. Some authors are entirely self-published, which means they decide to take this on and own it. If that’s you, you’ll soon be introduced to tons of unfamiliar jargon. Below we’ll talk you through the typesetting terms you need to know most.

Baseline

The baseline is the invisible horizontal line on which upper and lowercase letters rest. It does not include the space occupied by “descenders” like g, j, q, p, y, and sometimes f, depending on the font.

Brief

If you’re typesetting your own work, then this term doesn’t necessarily apply to you. If you’re working with a typesetter, then this is an important one to know. The design brief is the most important piece of communication between an author and their typesetter. It outlines the task and provides a detailed plan of the project.

Copyediting

“Copy” refers to any writing. When you copyedit, you check for basic grammatical, spelling, typographical errors, and inconsistencies in the style. Ideally, your typesetter will offer copyediting services as well, so your manuscript is ready for publication after you’ve sent it to them. It also helps to have another set of eyes to look at your manuscript, professionally. Consider hiring a professional editor to ensure your book is ready to be sold with the bestsellers.

EPUB

An .epub file is one of the formats used in eBook publications that is quickly becoming the industry standard. If you need your files converted for eBook publication, 48 Hour Books offers eBook conversion services.

Format

According to the typesetting and publishing world, “format” refers to the size of books, which is generally expressed with a depth followed by width.

·      A – Formatting of mass-market paperbacks

o   Trimmed to 198 x 128 mm

·      B+ – Another format used for paperbacks

o   Trimmed to 208 x 135 mm

·      C – Format used for paperback editions published at the same time as the hardback edition

o   Trimmed to 234 x 153 mm

House style

A house style is when several elements (think fonts, graphics, and typographical layouts) are applied over a series of documents to produce a consistent overall look.

For instance, the Harry Potter Series had a house style. By the time you got to Book 3, you knew exactly what to expect as a reader when you opened the first page. The same house style was always used.

Kerning

Kerning involves adjusting the horizontal space between letters. Depending on what is needed, it can be done based on a preset formula or manually.

Readability

If you’re wondering, “Why am I typesetting my book at all?” your answer is readability. Readability means that your book or document is easy and enjoyable to understand. Often, even if it’s high-quality writing, a number of other factors can reduce readability. As you typeset your book, you’ll be focused on the following elements and maximizing their readability.

·      Typeface

·      Point size

·      Number of words on a page

·      White space

·      Graphic elements

Serif

A serif is a short stroke that extends from letters. They typically appear on the top and bottom corners of letters. They can be small or large, square or elaborate. Times New Roman is one example of a “serif” font. This font has serifs on each letter.

Sans serif

“Sans” means “without” in French. Thus, sans serifs means typeface without serifs. Simple, right? One example of a sans serif font is Arial.

Final thoughts

While these terms won’t teach you how to typeset, they are key in reading any literature related to learning how. These terms are some of the first you’ll encounter whether you’re working with a typesetter or you’re utilizing a DIY typesetting approach.

Ready to start your self-publishing journey? Partner with 48 Hour Books and contact us today!