Prepress Technicians and Workers

Overview

Prepress Technicians and Workers has a national median salary of $48,690 per year, with -15.3% projected job growth from 2025–2035. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a postsecondary certificate as the typical education needed to enter this occupation.

Description

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.

Work Values

• Support
• Independence
• Relationships

Work Styles

Responsibilities

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.

Work Activities

• Working with Computers
• Getting Information
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Thinking Creatively
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
• Scheduling Work and Activities

Detailed Work Activities

• Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

T-A-S-K

Technology, Abilities, Skills & Knowledge

Education

Education Levels of Current Workers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a postsecondary certificate as the typical education needed to enter this occupation. The chart below shows the highest level of education held by people already working in this field, ages 25 and older. It includes workers who earned more education than the job requires and workers who entered the field under earlier requirements, so the largest bar is not the entry requirement. For example, if someone finished a bachelor's degree and then started working in this field, they are counted under “Bachelor's degree” here, but the job itself typically asks for a postsecondary certificate.

Certificates

Certifications applicable to Prepress Technicians and Workers:

Video Resources