What they do
Format and proof text and images submitted by designers and clients into finished pages that can be printed. Includes digital and photo typesetting. May produce printing plates.
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Also called: |
Desktop Operator, Electronic Prepress Operator (EPP Operator), Electronic Prepress Technician (EPP Tech), Plate Maker, Plate Mounter, Pre-Press Proofer, Prepress Operator, Prepress Specialist, Prepress Stripper, Prepress Technician
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Wages
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Vermont - 2021 |
Percentile1 | Hourly | Yearly |
10% |
$ 20.45 |
$42,540 |
25% |
$ 22.47 |
$46,730 |
Median |
$ 22.96 |
$47,750 |
75% |
$ 23.54 |
$48,960 |
90% |
$ 29.23 |
$60,810 |
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Average |
$ 23.56 |
$48,990 |
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More at CareerOneStop |
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Industries of Employment
United States - 2020 |
Industry | Percent of total |
- Printing and related support activities
| 56% |
- Publishing industries (except Internet)
| 9% |
| 7% |
- Professional, scientific, and technical services
| 7% |
- Plastics and rubber products manufacturing
| 3% |
More at BLS |
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Knowledge
People in this career often know a lot about: |
- Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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- English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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- Design
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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- Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
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- Production and Processing
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
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More at O*NET |
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Skills
People in this career often have these skills: |
- Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
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- Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
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- Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
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- Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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- Time Management
Managing one's own time and the time of others.
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More at O*NET |
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Interests
People in this career often prefer these work environments: |
- Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
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- Conventional
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
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What are your interests? Take the O*NET Interest Profiler |
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Work Styles
People in this career will do well at jobs that need: |
- Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
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- Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
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- Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
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- Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
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- Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
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More at O*NET |
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Other Resources
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- CareerOneStop
resource for job seekers, students, businessess and career professionals
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- O*NET Online
nation's primary source of occupational information
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Related Occupations
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Career Video
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Projected Employment
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Vermont |
2020 employment |
61 |
2030 employment |
56 |
Annual percent change (compounded) |
-0.9% |
Annual projected job openings (due to change and separations) |
8 |
More at Occupational Projections |
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Education and Experience:
- Typical education needed for entry
Postsecondary non-degree award
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- Work experience in a related occupation
None
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- Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency
None
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Based on BLS Education and Training Classifications |
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Job Zone
Medium Preparation Needed |
- Specific Vocational Preparation Range
(6.0 to < 7.0) - A typical worker will require
over 1 year up to and including 2 years
of training to achieve average performance in this occupation.
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Based on O*Net Job Zones and SVP |
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Education Level
How much education do most people in this career have? |
Education level |  | Percent of U.S. Workers |
Doctoral or professional degree or post-MA certificate |  | 0% |
Master's degree or post-BA certificate |  | 0% |
Bachelor's degree |  | 5% |
Associate's degree |  | 23% |
Certificate or some college, no degree |  | 30% |
High school diploma or equivalent |  | 39% |
Less than high school diploma |  | 2% |
More at O*NET |
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Abilities
People in this career often have talent in: |
- Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
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- Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
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- Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
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- Visual Color Discrimination
The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
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- Visualization
The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
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More at O*NET |
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Work Activities
In general, what you might do: |
- Working with Computers
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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- Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
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- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
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- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
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- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
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More at O*NET |
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Detailed Work Activities
What you might do in a day: |
- Operate photographic developing or print production equipment.
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- Inspected printed materials or other images to verify quality.
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- Enter commands, instructions, or specifications into equipment.
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- Program equipment to perform production tasks.
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- Maintain production or processing equipment.
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More at O*NET |
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Tasks
On the job, you would: |
- Generate prepress proofs in digital or other format to approximate the appearance of the final printed piece.
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- Proofread and perform quality control of text and images.
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- Enter, position, and alter text size, using computers, to make up and arrange pages so that printed materials can be produced.
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- Perform "preflight" check of required font, graphic, text and image files to ensure completeness prior to delivery to printer.
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- Operate and maintain laser plate-making equipment that converts electronic data to plates without the use of film.
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More at O*NET |
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