Prepress Technician / Worker

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.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Desktop Operator; Electronic Prepress Operator (EPP Operator); Electronic Prepress Technician (EPP Tech); Plate Maker; Plate Mounter; Pre-Press Proofer; Prepress Operator; Prepress Specialist; Prepress Stripper; Prepress Technician

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.
• Maintain, adjust, and clean equipment, and perform minor repairs.

Knowledge

• Computers and Electronics
• English Language
• Design
• Mathematics
• Production and Processing
• Customer and Personal Service

Skills

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

Abilities

• Near Vision
• Problem Sensitivity
• Inductive Reasoning
• Visualization
• Visual Color Discrimination
• Oral Comprehension
• Written Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Information Ordering
• Category Flexibility
• Deductive Reasoning
• Flexibility of Closure
• Perceptual Speed
• Selective Attention
• Control Precision
• Speech Recognition
• Speech Clarity