Prepress Technician

Explore This Path

Perfect for those who love transforming creative designs into print-ready pages.
Ensure high-quality printed materials by mastering digital and photo typesetting.
Play a crucial role in the printing process with precision and attention to detail.

💰 Earn $43K-$60K

📚 Vocational Training

⏱️ 12–24 MONTH TRAINING

📈 -18.5% JOB GROWTH

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What You’ll 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.

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.

Scoop

Minimum Education

Vocational Training

Career Prospects

Risky (Decreasing by 5% or more)

Training Time

1 to 2 years

Job Openings

2,200 Annually

Median Earnings

$48,110 in California

$45,070 Nationally

$25K

$50K

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$250K

Best For You If...

YOU Like 💕

Using data or completing tasks
Working with my hands

You are skilled in 💫

Active Learning
Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Monitoring
Reading Comprehension
Speaking

You value 🙏

Having support
Having freedom
Personal relationships

Deep Dive

Prepress Technician

Explore career pathways, key skills, and what each role has to offer.

Pathways to this Career

Learn about the education and training paths that can lead to this career — and what to expect from each one.

Associate's Degree

An associate's degree typically provides graduates with foundational knowledge and skills for entry-level jobs in the graduate's industry, or serves as a stepping stone towards further education.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 2-3 years

Bachelor's Degree

A bachelor's degree typically results in increased knowledge about a variety of academic subjects, specialized knowledge in a focused field of study, and is considered the foundational qualification for many careers.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 4-5+ years

Vocational School

A vocational school typically equips students with specialized skills and practical training in specific trades or occupations, enhancing their employability and providing direct pathways to relevant careers.

🎓 Skills-Focused

⏱️ FINISH IN 6 months - 2 years