Also called: Gravure Engraving Technician, Printing Cylinder Engraver
Engraves millions of tiny cells into copper printing cylinders that print snack bags, wallpaper and labels.
A copper-plated steel cylinder spins in your engraver while a diamond stylus or laser cuts tiny cups into it, thousands per inch. Each cup will hold ink. You check the cells under a microscope, then send the cylinder for chrome plating so it can print millions of chip bags.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 1 year after high school. High school; trained on the job.
Ways in: On-the-job training. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Graphic Communications, Printing Technology.
Growing slowly. Digital printing is replacing some gravure work.
Medium risk for 10 years. Engraving files are digital, but machine setup, plating checks and quality stay human.
Age 18+. One way to start: Apply at gravure cylinder shops or through a staffing agency; new hires are trained on the job
Classes: Art or graphic design, Chemistry, Shop class, Computer class.
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.