Prepress Technicians and Workers

Career Overview

Format and proof text and images submitted by designers and clients into finished pages that can be printed. Includes digital and photo typesetting. May produce printing plates.

Also Known As

Electronic Prepress Operator (EPP Operator)
Plate Maker
Prepress Operator
Prepress Technician

Alternate Job Titles

Ad Compositor
Ad Setter
Advertisement Compositor
Advertising Layout Worker
Bankman
Blueprint Blocker
Blueprint Cutter
Blueprint Developer
Blueprint Duplicator
Blueprint Machine Operator
Blueprint Maker
Blueprint Processor
Blueprint Reproducer
Blueprinter
Blueprinting Machine Operator

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

Generate prepress proofs in digital or other format to approximate the appearance of the final printed piece.
Proofread and perform quality control of text and images.
Enter, position, and alter text size, using computers, to make up and arrange pages so that printed materials can be produced.
Perform "preflight" check of required font, graphic, text and image files to ensure completeness prior to delivery to printer.
Operate and maintain laser plate-making equipment that converts electronic data to plates without the use of film.
Enter, store, and retrieve information on computer-aided equipment.
Maintain, adjust, and clean equipment, and perform minor repairs.

Emerging Responsibilities

As this field evolves, you may also:

Correct color in photographs or digital images.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

Computers and Electronics
English Language
Design

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

Near Vision
Visual Color Discrimination
Problem Sensitivity
Inductive Reasoning
Visualization
Oral Comprehension
Oral Expression
Written Comprehension
Information Ordering
Category Flexibility

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

Attention to Detail
Dependability
Cautiousness
Perseverance
Adaptability

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

Support
Independence
Relationships
Working Conditions
Achievement

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

Related Work Experience Needed: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years

On-the-Job Training: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months

Education Details: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Experience Required: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

Adobe Acrobat
Adobe Creative Cloud software
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe InDesign
Adobe Photoshop
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Word

Tools & Equipment

Automated film processors
Commercial digital plotters
Commercial digital printers
Compact disk CD duplicators
Desktop computers
Digital printing presses
Digital still cameras
Digital video disk DVD duplicators
Drum scanners
Flat bed scanners
Flexographic plate processors
Gravure cylinder engravers
Lithographic plate processors
Newspaper platesetters
Plate stackers

Work Environment

Time Pressure
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
E-Mail

Salary & Job Market

Salary Percentile	Annual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)	$34,270
Median	$47,300
Top Earners (90th percentile)	$65,530

Workers Employed Nationally: 23,070