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Prepress Technicians and Workers
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.
Other titles employers use
Desktop Operator · Electronic Prepress Operator (EPP Operator) · Electronic Prepress Technician (EPP Tech) · Plate Maker · Plate Mounter · Pre-Press Proofer · Prepress Operator · Prepress Specialist
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to organizing, practical and creative work.
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Creative
- Making, designing, writing, or performing without one set answer
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Time Management
- Reading Comprehension
Subjects to know
- Computers and Electronics
- English Language
- Design
- Mathematics
- Production and Processing
Useful strengths
- Near Vision
- Problem Sensitivity
- Inductive Reasoning
- Visualization
- Visual Color Discrimination
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.2 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 2.3 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.7 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 3.5 | Some of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a postsecondary certificate. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- High school or less 42%
- A certificate or some college 30%
- A two-year degree 23%
- A four-year degree 5%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Desktop publishing software
- Document management software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Electronic mail software
- Presentation software
- Word processing software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 1,550
- Job openings each year
- 180
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- −12.9%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 1,550 | 180 | −12.9% |
| Wisconsin | 1,470 | 170 | −14.0% |
| California | 1,300 | 150 | −23.5% |
| Florida | 1,240 | 150 | −9.5% |
| New York | 1,160 | 0 | −13.4% |
| Texas | 1,120 | 140 | −2.6% |
| Illinois | 1,070 | 120 | −18.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 910 | 110 | −13.3% |
| New Jersey | 840 | 100 | −16.0% |
| Missouri | 680 | 80 | −5.6% |
| Tennessee | 680 | 80 | −9.3% |
| Georgia | 630 | 80 | −14.9% |
| Kentucky | 620 | 80 | −8.8% |
| Utah | 620 | 80 | — |
| Indiana | 610 | 70 | −19.7% |
| Kansas | 510 | 60 | −16.4% |
| Virginia | 460 | 50 | −17.9% |
| Washington | 460 | 50 | −11.5% |
| Iowa | 430 | 50 | −12.2% |
| Michigan | 430 | 50 | −21.8% |
| North Carolina | 410 | 50 | −6.8% |
| Alabama | 370 | 40 | −5.1% |
| Maryland | 320 | 40 | −13.5% |
| Oregon | 270 | 30 | −12.9% |
| Colorado | 260 | 30 | −21.2% |
| Nebraska | 240 | 30 | 4.3% |
| Connecticut | 230 | 30 | −17.9% |
| Arizona | 200 | 20 | −9.1% |
| South Carolina | 200 | 20 | −20.0% |
| Oklahoma | 150 | 20 | −6.3% |
| Massachusetts | 120 | 10 | −14.3% |
| New Hampshire | 120 | 10 | −20.0% |
| South Dakota | 120 | 10 | −14.3% |
| Arkansas | 110 | 10 | −15.4% |
| Maine | 100 | 10 | −9.1% |
| Nevada | 100 | 10 | −9.1% |
| Idaho | 90 | 10 | −10.0% |
| Puerto Rico | 90 | 10 | −18.2% |
| Louisiana | 70 | 10 | −12.5% |
| Mississippi | 70 | 10 | — |
| Vermont | 50 | 10 | — |
| West Virginia | 50 | 10 | −16.7% |
| Rhode Island | 40 | 0 | −20.0% |
| Delaware | 30 | 0 | −25.0% |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Savannah College of Art and Design
- Degrees each year
- 524
- Admit rate
- 84%
- Annual cost after aid
- $49,000
Columbia College Chicago
- Degrees each year
- 212
- Admit rate
- 91%
- Annual cost after aid
- $26,000
Ringling College of Art and Design
- Degrees each year
- 124
- Admit rate
- 67%
- Annual cost after aid
- $55,000
Arizona State University Campus Immersion
- Degrees each year
- 92
- Admit rate
- 90%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
George Mason University
- Degrees each year
- 80
- Admit rate
- 89%
- Annual cost after aid
- $15,000
Art Center College of Design
- Degrees each year
- 79
- Admit rate
- 75%
- Annual cost after aid
- —
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
- Degrees each year
- 75
- Admit rate
- 30%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
University of Maryland Global Campus
- Degrees each year
- 64
- Admit rate
- Not reported
- Annual cost after aid
- —