Prepress Workers

Career summary

Prepress workers may be called prepress technicians.

Prepress workers start each job by examining the artwork, film, or paste-ups. They read the instructions from page layout workers or job orders. They determine how large projects are, whether printing will be color or black and white, and if they need to do any camera work. They may edit or touch up photos.

Prepress workers usually work with electronic files and format the jobs using page layout software. One task is to fit the pages to size of the paper to be used. After formatting the file, but before doing the final printing, technicians create a proof. This is a printed example of how the page will look. Technicians send the proof to clients for review. If there are errors, technicians fix them. When the proof is approved, technicians send the files on for printing.

Related careers

This career is part of the Arts, Audio/Visual Technology, and Communications cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Graphic Designers
• Page Layout Workers
• Photograph Processing Workers
• Printing Press Operators

Military careers

• Printing Specialists

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to prepress workers.

• Examine paste-ups, artwork, film, and instructions to determine color, size, and camera work needed.
• Edit photos and artwork. Make adjustments to color, contrast, and density as needed.
• Use page layout software to modify content before printing.
• Generate proofs in digital or other formats to review their final appearance.
• Send sample of printed material to client for approval.
• Modify content at clients' request.
• Proofread text and images.
• Check all files to make sure they are complete before they are sent to the printer.
• Select proper type of plates. Examine plates for flaws and make sure they are correct.

Common work activities

Prepress workers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Use computers
• Get information needed to do the job
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Think creatively
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Schedule work and activities
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Control machines and processes
• Process information
• Teach others
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Document and record information
• Communicate with people outside the organization

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, prepress workers:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a medium to high level of social contact.
• They usually communicate through face-to-face discussions, telephone, and e-mail.
• May work as part of a team.
• Are somewhat responsible for the work done by other prepress workers.

Physical work conditions

• Always work indoors.
• Are sometimes exposed to contaminants, such as chemicals and inks.
• May share work space with other prepress workers.
• Are sometimes exposed to loud or uncomfortable sounds from the presses.

Work performance

• Must fully complete and be exact in their work. Errors could delay projects or cost the company money.
• Repeat the same physical activities.
• Must keep up with the pace of the machines.
• Regularly make decisions that greatly impact clients and their employer's reputation. They often act independently, but may also seek feedback from others before deciding a course of action.
• Set many of their daily tasks and goals without speaking to a supervisor first.
• Must constantly meet strict daily deadlines.

Hours/travel

• Usually work full time.
• May work nights, weekends, and holidays if working at a newspaper.
• May work overtime to meet deadlines.

Physical demands

Prepress workers frequently:

• Sit for long periods of time.
• Repeat the same movements.
• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.

It is important for prepress workers to be able to:

• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for prepress workers to be able to:

• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.

Skills and abilities

Prepress workers need to:

Communicate

• Understand written information.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand spoken information.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Read and understand work-related materials.

Reason and problem solve

• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.

Work with people

• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.

Work with things

• Watch gauges, dials, and output to make sure a machine is working properly.

Perceive and visualize

• Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.
• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.
• Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Desktop Publishing and Digital Imaging
• Printing Technologies

Other programs of study to consider

• Graphic Design

Training

To work as a prepress worker, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• complete a formal training program.

Education after high school

Most prepress workers complete a formal program in printing technology or desktop publishing. Professional-technical schools and two-year colleges offer these programs. Graphic arts and computer courses can also be good preparation.

Work experience

Working in a print shop can be good experience. You could operate a printing press or work in the office where the prepress work is done. Internships are also a good way for you to get experience.

On-the-job training

Some prepress workers learn their skills on the job from an experienced worker. Training lasts from several weeks to several months depending on the skills learned. Some skills require many years to master.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be printing specialists. Training lasts from eight to 20 weeks, depending on your specialty. Additional training occurs on the job.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum may be different from your state's graduation requirements.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Art
• Computer Applications
• Desktop Publishing
• Graphic Design
• Webpage Design

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Most employers prefer to hire prepress workers who have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. They look for applicants with good oral and written communication skills. They also look for people who are able to work well with customers. In small shops, prepress workers may take customers' orders. They may also figure cost estimates for orders.

For positions that require more computer skills, employers prefer to hire applicants who have experience. Some employers prefer to hire graduates of formal training programs. Smaller shops provide the best opportunities for inexperienced workers.

Prepress workers must be able to pay attention to details. They must have good vision and be able to tell the difference between colors and small changes made to objects. Artistic ability is also helpful. Employers look for prepress workers who can meet deadlines without much supervision. They also look for people who learn how to operate new equipment quickly.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Prepress Technicians and Workers 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Wages for prepress workers vary by job, location, and size of the company. Employees may also be paid more if they have more training and experience. Workers who are members of a union usually are paid more than non-union employees.

Prepress workers who work full time usually receive benefits. Typical benefits include sick leave, paid vacation, and health insurance. Some companies also provide a retirement plan.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Prepress jobs are located throughout the nation. However, most jobs are located in large cities such as New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles.

Major employers:

• Commercial printing and business form companies
• Newspaper publishers
• Magazine and book publishers

National outlook

Demand for this occupation is declining significantly. There has been a decline in printed newspapers and magazines. More media is moving to online digital formats. For items that are printed, most prepress work is now done by computers.

Despite the decline in jobs, openings will occur as current workers retire or leave this occupation for other reasons. Opportunities should be best for workers with computer experience and good customer service skills.

Other resources

Graphic Communications Conference 
25 Louisiana Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20001
202.624.6800

NPES The Association for Suppliers of Printing, Publishing and Converting Technologies 

Pacific Printing Industries Association 
PO Box 23575
Portland, OR 97281-3575
503.221.3944

Printing Industries of America 
301 Brush Creek Road
Warrrendale, PA 15086-7529
800.910.4283
412.741.6860

References

Career cluster

• Arts, Audio/Visual Technology, and Communications

Career path

• Realistic (Technical)

O*Net  occupation

• Prepress Technicians and Workers (51-5111.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations.

DOT occupations

• Blueprinting-machine Operator (979.682-014) 
• Electrotyper (974.381-010) 
• Electrotyper Apprentice (974.381-014) 
• Etcher Apprentice, Photoengraving (971.381-010) 
• Etcher, Hand (971.261-010) 
• Etcher, Photoengraving (971.381-014) 
• Lithographic Platemaker (972.381-010) 
• Lithographic-plate-maker Apprentice (972.381-014) 
• Pantographer (979.382-022) 
• Photo Mask Maker, Electron-beam (972.382-018) 
• Photoengraver (971.381-022) 
• Photoengraver Apprentice (971.381-026) 
• Photoengraving Finisher (971.381-030) 
• Photoengraving Printer (971.381-034) 
• Photoengraving Proofer (971.381-038) 
• Photoengraving-proofer Apprentice (971.381-040) 
• Photographer, Photoengraving (971.382-014) 
• Photographic-plate Maker (714.381-018) 
• Plate Finisher (659.360-010) 
• Plate Grainer (972.682-010) 
• Plate-grainer Apprentice (972.682-014) 
• Platemaker, Semiconductor Packages (972.384-014) 
• Repeat Chief (970.361-014) 
• Repeat-photocomposing-machine Operator (971.382-018) 
• Retoucher, Photoengraving (970.381-030) 
• Roller Varnisher (979.682-022) 
• Roller-print Tender (971.685-010) 
• Router (979.682-026) 
• Stereotyper (974.382-014) 
• Stereotyper Apprentice (974.382-010) 
• Stripper (971.381-050) 
• Stripper Apprentice (971.381-054) 
• Stripper, Lithographic I (972.281-022) 
• Stripper, Lithographic II (972.381-022) 
• Transferrer (972.381-026) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Realistic/Conventional/Enterprising

COPSystem

• Arts Skilled
• Technology Skilled