Prepress Technicians & Workers

conventional interests computer electronic equipment image proofread operate laser machine material format text production equipment

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

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.
On the job, you would:
  • 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.

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology

  • computers and electronics
  • design

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Math and Science

  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics

Manufactured or Agricultural Goods

  • manufacture and distribution of products

Skills

Basic Skills

  • keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Abilities

Verbal

  • communicate by speaking
  • listen and understand what people say

Ideas and Logic

  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
  • notice when problems happen

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include data, detail, and regular routines.

They do well at jobs that need:

  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Cooperation
  • Initiative
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Independence

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Graphics or photo imaging software

  • Adobe Creative Cloud software Hot Technology In Demand
  • Adobe Illustrator Hot Technology In Demand

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint Hot Technology

Desktop publishing software

  • Adobe InDesign Hot Technology In Demand
  • QuarkXPress

Education

high school diploma/GED or
associate's degree
usually needed

Get started on your career:

Find Training
Find Certifications
Apprenticeship.gov

Job Outlook

Below Average
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.

Salary:

$47,300
$34,270
$65,530
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See more details at O*NET OnLine about prepress technicians and workers.