Science & ResearchISCO 2166
Desktop publisher
Desktop publishers are responsible for the layout of publications. They use computer software to arrange texts, photographs and other materials in a pleasing and readable finished product.
Check yourself in a minute: desktop publisher
Rate 5 of the 19 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
follow work schedule
follow a brief
translate requirements into visual design
align content with form
apply desktop publishing techniques
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (19)
typographytypographyThe procedure of arranging written texts for printing processes.printing techniquesprinting techniquesThe techniques and processes to reproduce text and images using a master form or template such as letterpress printing, gravure, and laser printing.graphic designgraphic designThe techniques to create a visual representation of ideas and messages.prepress processesprepress processesThe processes that occur between the creation of a print layout and the final printing, such as copyediting, proofing, proofreading and others.multimedia systemsmultimedia systemsThe methods, procedures and techniques pertaining to the operation of multimedia systems, usually a combination of software and hardware, presenting various types of media such as video and audio.digital mediadigital mediaThe set of medias that are transmitted through electronic devices.computer graphicscomputer graphicsThe field that merges approaches from computer science and design. It involves the process of creating images, 3D models generation, as well as the rendering, texturing and lighting them. Its applicat...desktop publishingdesktop publishingThe creation of documents using page layout skills on a computer. Desktop publishing software can generate layouts and produce typographic quality text and images.copyright legislationcopyright legislationLegislation describing the protection of the rights of original authors over their work, and how others can use it.follow work schedulefollow work scheduleManage the sequence of activities in order to deliver completed work on agreed deadlines by following a work schedule.follow a brieffollow a briefInterpret and meet requirements and expectations, as discussed and agreed upon with the customers.translate requirements into visual designtranslate requirements into visual designDevelop visual design from given specifications and requirements, based on the analysis of the scope and target audience. Create a visual representation of ideas such as logos, website graphics, digit...align content with formalign content with formAlign form and content to make sure they fit together.apply desktop publishing techniquesapply desktop publishing techniquesApply desktop publishing techniques to create page layouts and typographic quality text.adapt to artists' creative demandsadapt to artists' creative demandsWork with artists, striving to understand the creative vision and adapting to it. Make full use of your talents and skills to reach the best possible result.develop digital contentdevelop digital contentCreate and edit digital content in different formats, express oneself through digital means.adapt to type of mediaadapt to type of mediaAdapt to different types of media such as television, movies, commercials, and others. Adapt work to type of media, scale of production, budget, genres within type of media, and others.finish project within budgetfinish project within budgetMake sure to stay within budget. Adapt work and materials to budget.search databasessearch databasesSearch for information or people using databases.
Optional (22) — show
problem-solving with digital toolsproblem-solving with digital toolsIdentify digital needs and resources, make informed decisions on most appropriate digital tools according to the purpose or need, solve conceptual problems through digital means, creatively use techno...digital content creationdigital content creationCreate and edit new content (from word processing to images and video); integrate and re-elaborate previous knowledge and content; produce creative expressions, media outputs and programming; deal wit...reprographyreprographyThe process of reproducing, reprinting, or copying graphic material especially by mechanical or electronic means such as photography or xerography.adobe creative suiteadobe creative suiteThe set of software applications that are used to create visual content for personal or business use. Examples of items that can be generated are flyers, brochures, books, websites and videos.spellingspellingThe rules concerning the way words are spelled.grammargrammarThe set of structural rules governing the composition of clauses, phrases, and words in any given natural language.post-processing of photographspost-processing of photographsThe characteristics of software and techniques used in post-processing photographs.edit negativesedit negativesUse different software products and techniques to process photographic negatives and adapt the images to the desired specifications.use spreadsheets softwareuse spreadsheets softwareUse software tools to create and edit tabular data to carry out mathematical calculations, organise data and information, create diagrams based on data and to retrieve them.use presentation softwareuse presentation softwareUse software tools to create digital presentations which combine various elements, such as graphs, images, text and other multimedia.digitise documentsdigitise documentsLoad analog documents by converting them into a digital format, using specialised hardware and software.proofread textproofread textRead a text thoroughly, search for, review and correct errors to ensure content is valid for publishing.work closely with news teamswork closely with news teamsWork closely with news teams, photographers and editors.identify customer's needsidentify customer's needsUse appropriate questions and active listening in order to identify customer expectations, desires and requirements according to product and services.use word processing softwareuse word processing softwareUse computer software applications for composition, editing, formatting, and printing of any sort of written material.develop creative ideasdevelop creative ideasDeveloping new artistic concepts and creative ideas.perform image editingperform image editingEdit various types of images such as analogue and digital photographs or illustrations.consult with editorconsult with editorConsult with the editor of a book, magazine, journal or other publications about expectations, requirements, and progress.apply grammar and spelling rulesapply grammar and spelling rulesApply the rules of spelling and grammar and ensure consistency throughout texts.perform backupsperform backupsImplement backup procedures to backup data and systems to ensure permanent and reliable system operation. Execute data backups in order to secure information by copying and archiving to ensure integri...edit photographsedit photographsResize, enhance and retouche photographs, using airbrushing, editing software and other techniques.scan photosscan photosScan images into computers for editing, storage, and electronic transmission.
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Frequently asked questions
What does a desktop publisher do?
Desktop publishers are responsible for the layout of publications. They use computer software to arrange texts, photographs and other materials in a pleasing and readable finished product.
What skills does a desktop publisher need?
A desktop publisher needs 19 essential skills, including typography, printing techniques, graphic design, prepress processes, multimedia systems.
Will AI replace desktop publisher jobs?
The AI disruption score for desktop publisher is 61/100 (high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: spelling, apply grammar and spelling rules, grammar. Most resilient: follow a brief, adapt to artists' creative demands, work closely with news teams.
AI Replacement Risk
61/ 100
High Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Skills most at risk from AI
Skills resilient to automation
This is the average for the whole occupation. The AI Career Shield test (about 10 minutes) shows the risk in your own work and what you can do about it.
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