DesignISCO 7321
Prepress technician
Prepress technicians prepare printing processes by formatting, setting and composing text and graphics into a suitable form. This includes the capture of text and image and processing it electronically. They also prepare, maintain and troubleshoot printing presses.
Check yourself in a minute: prepress technician
Rate 5 of the 29 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
produce prepress proof
set colour profiles
troubleshoot
output electronic files
align content with form
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (29)
typographytypographyThe procedure of arranging written texts for printing processes.reprographyreprographyThe process of reproducing, reprinting, or copying graphic material especially by mechanical or electronic means such as photography or xerography.Adobe PhotoshopAdobe PhotoshopThe computer program Adobe Photoshop is a graphical ICT tool which enables digital editing and composition of graphics to generate both 2D raster or 2D vector graphics. It is developed by the software...Adobe IllustratorAdobe IllustratorThe computer program Adobe Illustrator CC is a graphical ICT tool which enables digital editing and composition of graphics to generate both 2D raster or 2D vector graphics. It is developed by the sof...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.GIMP (graphics editor software)GIMP (graphics editor software)The computer program GIMP is a graphical ICT tool which enables digital editing and composition of graphics to generate both 2D raster or 2D vector graphics. It is developed by The GIMP Development Te...printing plate makingprinting plate makingThe different techniques used to produce the plates that will be mounted on rolls for the flexographic or offset printing process such as laser engraving or the technique consisting in placing a film ...proofing methodsproofing methodsVarious proofing methods are needed for certain kinds of products. They range from soft proofing, which presents the result on a monitor, to hard proofing, where an actual printed sample of the produc...SketchBook ProSketchBook ProThe computer program SketchBook Pro is a graphical ICT tool which enables digital editing and composition of graphics to generate both 2D raster or 2D vector graphics. It is developed by the software ...Microsoft VisioMicrosoft VisioThe computer program Microsoft Visio is a graphical ICT tool which enables digital editing and composition of graphics to generate both 2D raster or 2D vector graphics. It is developed by the software...prepress processesprepress processesThe processes that occur between the creation of a print layout and the final printing, such as copyediting, proofing, proofreading and others.graphics editor softwaregraphics editor softwareThe field of graphical ICT tools which enable digital editing and composition of graphics, such as GIMP, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator, to develop both 2D raster or 2D vector graphics.SynfigSynfigThe computer program Synfig is a graphical ICT tool which enables digital editing and composition of graphics to generate both 2D raster or 2D vector graphics. It is developed by Robert Quattlebaum.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.output electronic filesoutput electronic filesLoad customer supplied electronic files onto the prepress file server, whilst checking them for completeness and potential problems. Communicate eventual problems with customers and production personn...align content with formalign content with formAlign form and content to make sure they fit together.develop digital contentdevelop digital contentCreate and edit digital content in different formats, express oneself through digital means.set scanner controlsset scanner controlsUse a mouse, keyboard or other controls to set up the scanner precisely.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...operate printing machineryoperate printing machineryOperate machinery for various types of printed documents, adjusting the font, paper size, and weight. This allows ascenders and descenders to be correctly placed.lay out digital written contentlay out digital written contentLay out pages by selecting sizes, styles and entering text and graphics into computer systems.scale copiesscale copiesUse proportion wheels to scale the layout and resolution of images up or down.prepare printing formprepare printing formPrepare and inspect plates that are used in printing process to transfer ink on the desired surface and place them in the machines, for example fixing them around printing rollers.operate laser plate maker machineoperate laser plate maker machineMaintain and handle laser plate making equipment, which converts electronic data to plates without the use of photographic film. Use erasers and needles to perform minor deletions, additions or correc...scan negativesscan negativesScan processed negatives so they can be digitally stored, edited, and printed.prepare films for printing platesprepare films for printing platesPlace the photographic materials coated with a light-sensitive substance on the printing plate in such a way that will limit waste and facilitate printing processes. Place the plates in the machine fo...
Optional (27) — 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 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.graphic designgraphic designThe techniques to create a visual representation of ideas and messages.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.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.offset printingoffset printingTechnological printing process where the ink is spread onto a plate with etched images, then to a rubber blanket, and finally onto the target medium, usually paper. This method is used for mass printi...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.handle scanning material safelyhandle scanning material safelyLoad and handle the material to be scanned safely and make sure that the scanning equipment is clean.use presentation softwareuse presentation softwareUse software tools to create digital presentations which combine various elements, such as graphs, images, text and other multimedia.ink printing platesink printing platesCover the plate with a thin coat of water and apply oil-based inks with a rubber roller, repelling and sticking the ink to the image area. This image can then further be transferred to paper in variou...create digital filescreate digital filesCreate digital files in the computer system after quality checking printing or scanned documents for malfunctions.digitise documentsdigitise documentsLoad analog documents by converting them into a digital format, using specialised hardware and software.interpret illustration needsinterpret illustration needsCommunicate with clients, editors and authors in order to interpret and fully understand their professional needs.manage offset printing processmanage offset printing processSelect and oversee implementation of relevant printing processes, necessary tools, and colours.apply opaqueapply opaqueCover up film negatives by applying opaque to printing plates, blocking out defections such as blemishes and pinholes.use typesetting softwareuse typesetting softwareUse specialised computer programs to arrange the type of texts and images to be printed.use word processing softwareuse word processing softwareUse computer software applications for composition, editing, formatting, and printing of any sort of written material.store negativesstore negativesPlace the cut photographic film into protective sleeves and store them in a safe manner.meet deadlinesmeet deadlinesEnsure operative processes are finished at a previously agreed-upon time.process printing inputprocess printing inputAccept and pre-process input documents and orders to be used for print production.manage digital documentsmanage digital documentsManage various data formats and files by naming, publishing, transforming and sharing files and documents and transforming file formats.use colour printing programsuse colour printing programsUse colour printing programs, such as the CMYK colour (ink) model for various pressing machines.prevent paper jamsprevent paper jamsOverlook the insertion and output of finished products in order to prevent paper jams.maintain lithographic printing platesmaintain lithographic printing platesProduce and store plates used in lithographic offset printing by running a previously imposed and ripped file to plate or exposing and developing the plate using hand tools or machines.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.
Related Occupations
Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.
imagesetter15 shared essential skillsprepress operator13 shared essential skillstypesetter13 shared essential skillscomputer science lecturer7 shared essential skillslithographer7 shared essential skillsdigital printer6 shared essential skillsflexographic press operator5 shared essential skillsoffset printer5 shared essential skills
Frequently asked questions
What does a prepress technician do?
Prepress technicians prepare printing processes by formatting, setting and composing text and graphics into a suitable form. This includes the capture of text and image and processing it electronically. They also prepare, maintain and troubleshoot printing presses.
What skills does a prepress technician need?
A prepress technician needs 29 essential skills, including typography, reprography, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, printing on large scale machines.
Will AI replace prepress technician jobs?
The AI disruption score for prepress technician is 77/100 (very high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: scale copies, digitise documents, use word processing software. Most resilient: store negatives, printing materials, follow safety precautions in printing.
AI Replacement Risk
77/ 100
Very 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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