CA 132 - Page Composition I

Course Description

  • Prerequisite: CA 121 and CA 122
  • CA majors only

Page Composition I is a basic paste up for preparing simple digital mechanicals for offset printing. Emphasis on preparing mechanicals for brochures, newspaper ads and other print formats incorporating tints, reverses and manipulated type, as well as single, spot color separations and trapping.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of CA 132, the student will be able to:

  • Apply composition concepts to various print formats.
  • Set up the following formats according to a job ticket specification:
    • column grids
    • pagination
    • margins
    • gutters
    • leading headings
  • Import text or copy from word processing.
  • Import scanned graphics or photos.
  • Import graphics from an existing file into a publication according to job specifications.
  • Apply the appropriate techniques and rules of page design for:
    • text alignment
    • element positioning
    • cropping graphics electronically
    • scaling
    • trapping
  • Apply proofreading techniques.
  • Apply editing techniques.
  • Make corrections to copy on screen.
  • Use the following fonts appropriately:
    • postscript
    • type 1
    • type 2
    • true type
    • screen fonts
    • printer fonts
    • multiple master fonts
  • Download fonts.

Desktop Publishing

  • Follow customer specified instructions for file
    • production
    • modification
    • output
  • Identify various items that can be designed and produced using desktop publishing.
  • Identify basic desktop publishing equipment.
  • Explain the limitations and capabilities of desktop publishing.
  • Define the basic procedures for interfacing desktop publishing with photo-typeset processing.
  • Distinguish among word processing, page layout, and graphic software.
  • Operate the hardware components of a computer-aided publishing system.
  • Select appropriate software for
    • word processing
    • graphics
    • scanning
    • layout
  • Use computer software
    • commands
    • codes
    • menus
    • palettes.
  • Perform the following procedures for a page layout program:
    • log-on
    • boot-up
    • printout