Prepress Worker

Print

Work Tasks

• Use computers to prepare material for printing presses
• Engrave printing plates with the image that will be printed
• Photograph text and pictures
• Make final printing plates
• Work for printing companies in all parts of the country, especially in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and Dallas
• Work with computers, printers, software, photographs, metal letterpress plates, chemical solutions, gravure-etched cylinders, ink, paper, and hand tools

Salary, Size & Growth

• $37,500 average per year ($18.00 per hour)
• A medium occupation (48,100 workers in 2010)
• Expected to decline (1.8% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: Experience in printing and training in computer graphics
• Employers Prefer: A 2-year degree in printing or graphic design
• Skills/Courses: Courses in computers, math, shop, and graphic arts.