What do 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.

Also known as:

Compositor, Desktop Operator, Digital Prepress Operator, Electronic Operator, Electronic Pre-Press Technician, Electronic Prepress Operator (EPP Operator), Electronic Prepress Technician (EPP Tech), Graphic Technician, Plate Maker, Plate Mounter, Pre-Press Proofer, Prepress Operator, Prepress Specialist, Prepress Stripper, Prepress Technician, Scanner Operator, Type Setter

Typical Wages

Projected Growth Rate

Employment of Prepress Technicians and Workers is projected to Decline 17 percent from 2022 to 2032

Projected Employment in VA

No Data Available
  • -17.9%

    Change

    Ranks #48 in job growth rate
    50

    Job Openings

    Ranks #24 in net job growth

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Education Level

Percent of workers in this field with these degrees:

  • High school diploma equivalent  (36%)
  • Some college, no degree  (23%)
  • Bachelor's degree  (18%)
  • Associate's degree  (12%)
  • Less than high school diploma  (6%)
  • Master's degree  (3%)
  • Doctorate or Professional Degree  (1%)

Typical College Majors

Most Popular Majors that prepare Prepress Technicians and Workers

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People in this career often know a lot about:

  • Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
  • Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

People in this career often have talent in:

  • Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

People in this career often do these activities:

  • Operate photographic developing or print production equipment.
  • Inspected printed materials or other images to verify quality.
  • Enter commands, instructions, or specifications into equipment.
  • Program equipment to perform production tasks.
  • Maintain production or processing equipment.
  • Monitor equipment operation to ensure that products are not flawed.
  • Select production equipment according to product specifications.
  • Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.
  • Drill holes in parts, equipment, or materials.
  • Examine condition of property or products.
  • Clean production equipment.
  • Repair production equipment or tools.
  • Mix ingredients to create specific finishes.
  • Mix substances to create chemical solutions.
  • Operate digital imaging equipment.
  • Edit documents.
  • Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment.

This page includes data from:

O*NET OnLine Career data: O*NET 28.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (“USDOL/ETA”). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Logo Occupation statistics: USDOL U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics

careeronestop logo Videos: CareerOneStop, USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development

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