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Prepress Technicians and Workers

The occupation Prepress Technicians and Workers covers people who format and proof text and images submitted by designers and clients into finished pages that can be printed. Expect to generate prepress proofs in digital or other format to approximate the appearance of the final printed piece. Interest ratings put Conventional on top at 5.8 out of 7 and Realistic second, so the code is CRA and the day leans toward orderly work with data, records and clear procedures. Plan on one or two years of vocational training, an apprenticeship or an associate’s degree; O*NET labels this medium preparation. Strength in time management, speaking, and monitoring helps most here. People who want orderly work with data, records and clear procedures usually fit better here than those who need leading, persuading and making business decisions.

What they do

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.

Main tasks

  • 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.

Skills

  • Time Management
  • Speaking
  • Monitoring
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Listening
  • Reading Comprehension

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You like clear rules and getting the details right.
  • You like ending the day with a physical result you can point to.
  • You are willing to put in a year or two of focused training.
  • You are comfortable relying on time management and speaking.

May not suit you if

  • You get restless with routine, records and exact procedures.
  • You want to lead people or run the business side. Enterprising rates 1.4 out of 7 here.
  • You need to start within a few months, with no training period.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code CRA takes the three highest, and Conventional comes first here.

Preparation

Medium preparation. Expect vocational school, an apprenticeship, related experience or an associate’s degree, usually one or two years in total.

Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED). This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.

Also called

  • Desktop Operator
  • Electronic Prepress Operator (EPP Operator)
  • Electronic Prepress Technician (EPP Tech)
  • Plate Maker
  • Plate Mounter

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.