Nestorbot
Public Administration & LegalISCO 2651

Printmaker

A printmaker is a person who engraves or etches metal, wood, rubber and other materials in order to create images that are then transferred onto another surface, in most cases with a printing press.

Take the free testCheck yourself in a minute ↓AI risk: 37/100 (moderate risk)

Check yourself in a minute: printmaker

Rate 5 of the 21 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

position engraving equipment

engrave patterns

ensure accurate engravings

select engraving templates

transfer designs on workpiece

About printmaker

The work starts with the plate or block: the printmaker prepares the workpiece for the etching process, mixes the chemicals used for etching, and cuts the image, adjusting the depth and width of cut as the drawing requires. Engraving equipment is operated by hand and with a pantograph, which copies a pattern at a chosen scale. Engraved areas are then filled where the design calls for ink or enamel to sit below the surface. Screen printing is used where the image is pushed through a mesh rather than lifted from a plate.

The printmaker checks the work continuously, ensures the engraving process is correct, verifies the accuracy of the engraving against the drawing, and examines engraving work, their own and other people's, to judge what a technique can hold.

The printmaker controls chemistry, pressure and timing as closely as the drawing: how long a plate sits in the acid, how hard the press is set, how the paper is dampened.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (21)

position engraving equipmentposition engraving equipmentPosition and clamp work pieces, plates, or rollers in holding fixtures.engrave patternsengrave patternsEngrave and print designs and patterns onto a variety of surfaces.ensure accurate engravingsensure accurate engravingsClosely observe the actions of the mechanical cutting tools, resulting in a flawless engraving process.select engraving templatesselect engraving templatesSelect, prepare and install engraving templates; operate cutting tools and routers.transfer designs on workpiecetransfer designs on workpieceOperate stylus and cutting tools, duplicate design or letters on a workpiece.maintain engraving equipmentmaintain engraving equipmentRegular maintenance of cutting wheels and other mechanic engraving tools.sketch designs on workpiecessketch designs on workpiecesSketch or scribe layouts and designs on workpieces, plates, dies or rollers. Use compasses, scribers, gravers, pencils, etc.scale etchingsscale etchingsOperate reduction scales and set pantograph controls.operate engraving equipmentoperate engraving equipmentOperate mechanical engraving tools and machines, set controls of cutting tools. Make adjustments if necessary.prepare etching chemicalsprepare etching chemicalsPrepare etching chemicals according to formulas, mixing solutions of specified concentration.adjust cut sizesadjust cut sizesAdjust cut sizes and depths of cutting tools. Adjust heights of worktables and machine-arms.handle etching chemicalshandle etching chemicalsBrush or smear acid over mechanic engraving tools, in order to improve the visibility of the inscriptions.transpose designs to engravingstranspose designs to engravingsExamine diagrams, sketches, blueprints and samples, and calculate how they are to be engraved onto work pieces.prepare workpieces for etchingprepare workpieces for etchingPrepare mechanical tools and work pieces for etching by polishing their surface and bevelling the work piece to remove sharp edges. Polishing is done using different sandpapers and sand films which ar...prepare workpieces for engravingprepare workpieces for engravingPrepare mechanical tools and workpieces for engraving by polishing their surface and bevelling the workpiece to remove sharp edges. Polishing is done using different sandpapers and sand films which ap...clean engraved areasclean engraved areasPolish and clean engraved etching areas considering the kind of material the area is made of.verify engraving accuracyverify engraving accuracyExamine design results to verify engraving accuracy, rework engraving where needed.inspect etched workinspect etched workInspect finished etchings in detail, using microscopes and magnifying lenses.fill etchingsfill etchingsFill etchings with opaque paste to improve readability.determine quality of engravingdetermine quality of engravingQuality control of engravings and etchings; check for cuts, burns, rough spots and irregular or incomplete engraving.compute engraving dimensionscompute engraving dimensionsMeasure and compute dimensions of lettering, designs and patterns to be engraved.
Optional (2) — show
assess conservation needsassess conservation needsAssess and list the needs for conservation/restoration, in relation to current use and planned future use.collaborate with a technical staff in artistic productionscollaborate with a technical staff in artistic productionsCoordinate your artistic activities with others who specialise in the technical side of the project. Inform the technical staff of your plans and methods and obtain feedback on feasibility, cost, proc...

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

jewellery engraver12 shared essential skillsstone engraver8 shared essential skillsglass engraver6 shared essential skillsmetal engraver6 shared essential skillsceramicist2 shared essential skills

Frequently asked questions

What does a printmaker do?

Printmakers engrave or etch metal, wood, rubber or other materials to create images which are transported onto surfaces, generally using a printing press. Printmakers often use tools such as etcher-circuit processors, pantograph engravers, and silk screen etchers.

What skills does a printmaker need?

A printmaker needs 21 essential skills, including position engraving equipment, engrave patterns, ensure accurate engravings, select engraving templates, transfer designs on workpiece.

Will AI replace printmaker jobs?

The AI disruption score for printmaker is 37/100 (moderate risk). Skills most exposed to automation: scale etchings, determine quality of engraving, engrave patterns. Most resilient: fill etchings, handle etching chemicals, position engraving equipment.

AI Replacement Risk

37/ 100
Moderate Risk
Low riskHigh risk
View full AI disruption analysis →

Quick Facts

SectorPublic Administration & Legal
ISCO GroupLegal, social and cultural professionals
Essential Skills21

Is printmaker right for you?

Take the free 10-minute Career Portrait to see which career direction fits your motivations and strengths.

Take the free test