Also called: Prepress Specialist, Pre-Press Operator
Checks and prepares digital files before printing, making plates and proofs so colors and layouts come out right.
They inspect files for errors, adjust colors to match a brand's exact red, and output printing plates. They catch mistakes before a run of 100,000 catalogs. It mixes design software with machine operation.
Based on BLS prepress technicians and workers (51-5111), May 2024.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Certificate, about 1 year after high school. Certificate or associate in printing technology, or on-the-job training.
Ways in: On-the-job training, Trade school, 2-year college. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Graphic Arts Technology, Printing Technology.
Shrinking (about -12% over 10 years). BLS projects decline as digital printing and automation reduce the need for prepress work.
High risk for 10 years. Automated preflight and computer-to-plate systems already do most file checks, and print volume keeps falling.
Classes: Graphic design CTE, Computer applications, Digital photography.
Official data: O*NET occupation 51-5111.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.