DesignISCO 7322
Digital printer
Digital printers work with machines that print directly to the medium, without an intervening plate. Digital printers usually use laser or inkjet technology to print individual pages without lengthy or labour intensive technical steps intervening between the finished digital product and the print.
Check yourself in a minute: digital printer
Rate 5 of the 18 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
produce prepress proof
set colour profiles
troubleshoot
perform test run
monitor automated machines
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (18)
digital printingdigital printingThe technique that allows printing a digital-based image directly onto a variety of materials, mostly using inkjet or laser printer.printing on large scale machinesprinting on large scale machinesMethods, processes, and restrictions related to printing on machines that produce large quantities and sizes of graphic print materials.printing materialsprinting materialsThe materials, such as paper, film, metal foils, and glass, on which texts or designs can be transferred by applying ink through direct pressure or with intermediate rollers.types of papertypes of paperThe different criteria used to determine differences in paper types such as coarseness and thickness, and the different fabrication methods and wood types from which the types of paper stem.quality standardsquality standardsThe national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.maintenance of printing machinesmaintenance of printing machinesUpkeep procedures and technical working of machines that produce printed graphical material.produce prepress proofproduce prepress proofMake single or multi-coloured test prints to ensure that the product meets the arranged standards. Compare the sample with the template or discuss the result with the customer in order to make the las...set colour profilesset colour profilesMaintain consistent colour output in digital colour and inkjet printers by running calibration routines and making sure that the colour profiles for the printers are still accurate.troubleshoottroubleshootIdentify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.perform test runperform test runPerform tests putting a system, machine, tool or other equipment through a series of actions under actual operating conditions in order to assess its reliability and suitability to realise its tasks, ...monitor automated machinesmonitor automated machinesContinuously check up on the automated machine's set-up and execution or make regular control rounds. If necessary, record and interpret data on the operating conditions of installations and equipment...follow safety precautions in printingfollow safety precautions in printingApply safety and health principles, policies and institutional regulations of working in printing production. Protect oneself and others against such hazards as chemicals used in printing, invasive al...supply machinesupply machineEnsure the machine is fed the necessary and adequate materials and control the placement or automatic feed and retrieval of work pieces in the machines or machine tools on the production line.operate digital printersoperate digital printersHandle inkjet and laser printers, allowing the operator to print documents in a single 'pass'. Download or print the digital files to the digital printing machine using the correct machine and print d...use colour printing programsuse colour printing programsUse colour printing programs, such as the CMYK colour (ink) model for various pressing machines.follow production schedulefollow production scheduleFollow production schedule taking into account all requirements, times and needs. This schedule outlines what individual commodities must be produced in each time period and encapsulates various conce...set up the controller of a machineset up the controller of a machineSet up and give commands to a machine by dispatching the appropriate data and input into the (computer) controller corresponding with the desired processed product.feed press cylindersfeed press cylindersPower press cylinders with paper and adjust its feed and tension controls according to the required paper size.
Optional (21) — show
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.printing mediaprinting mediaSpecific techniques related to various printing surfaces such plastics, metal, glass, textiles, wood, and paper.printed goods processesprinted goods processesThe various types and characteristics of producing printed goods such as catalogues, flyers, etc.communicate with customerscommunicate with customersRespond to and communicate with customers in the most efficient and appropriate manner to enable them to access the desired products or services, or any other help they may require.prepare documents for scanningprepare documents for scanningPrepare documents for scanning by determining logical breaks and unitization of hard copy documents and assembling and reassembling these afterwards.order suppliesorder suppliesCommand products from relevant suppliers to get convenient and profitable products to purchase.follow a brieffollow a briefInterpret and meet requirements and expectations, as discussed and agreed upon with the customers.record production data for quality controlrecord production data for quality controlKeep records of the machine's faults, interventions and irregularities for quality control.create digital filescreate digital filesCreate digital files in the computer system after quality checking printing or scanned documents for malfunctions.monitor stock levelmonitor stock levelEvaluate how much stock is used and determine what should be ordered.use word processing softwareuse word processing softwareUse computer software applications for composition, editing, formatting, and printing of any sort of written material.set scanner controlsset scanner controlsUse a mouse, keyboard or other controls to set up the scanner precisely.reproduce documentsreproduce documentsReproduce documents such as reports, posters, booklets, brochures, and catalogues for a range of audiences.calibrate electronic instrumentscalibrate electronic instrumentsCorrect and adjust the reliability of an electronic instrument by measuring output and comparing results with the data of a reference device or a set of standardised results. This is done in regular i...perform machine maintenanceperform machine maintenancePerform regular maintenance, possibly including corrections and alterations, on a machine or machine tool to ensure it remains in a proper productive state.inspect printing outputinspect printing outputVerify that the printing output is satisfactory using various methods such as visual verification, use of spectrophotometers or densitometers. The problems that might occur include misregisters or col...process printing inputprocess printing inputAccept and pre-process input documents and orders to be used for print production.consult technical resourcesconsult technical resourcesRead and interpret technical resources such as digital or paper drawings and adjustment data in order to properly set up a machine or working tool, or to assemble mechanical equipment.report defective manufacturing materialsreport defective manufacturing materialsMaintain required company records and forms in order to report any defective materials or questionable conditions of manufacturing machinery and equipment.produce scanned imagesproduce scanned imagesProduce scanned images that satisfy different categories and are free of potential defects.keep records of work progresskeep records of work progressMaintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
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Frequently asked questions
What does a digital printer do?
Digital printers work with machines that print directly to the medium, without an intervening plate. Digital printers usually use laser or inkjet technology to print individual pages without lengthy or labour intensive technical steps intervening between the finished digital product and the print.
What skills does a digital printer need?
A digital printer needs 18 essential skills, including digital printing, printing on large scale machines, printing materials, types of paper, quality standards.
Will AI replace digital printer jobs?
The AI disruption score for digital printer is 66/100 (high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: record production data for quality control, reproduce documents, digital printing. Most resilient: follow a brief, printing materials, follow safety precautions in printing.
AI Replacement Risk
66/ 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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