Prepress operator

Prepress operators create a prepress proof, or sample of what the finished product will look like. In many printing contracts, the client at this stage decides whether the print can go through as planned. Since the printing processes for proofs are different from those used in the final process, proofs are always an approximation.

The duties of a prepress operator include, but are not limited to:

• Creating digital images of text pages, illustrations, or photographs using image manipulation software
• Checking page proofs to ensure that they meet specifications such as font style and size, margins, line spacing, bleeds, alignment, and resolution
• Preparing page layouts by adjusting the size, orientation, and position of images or text on each page to ensure that it meets design specifications
• Working with graphic designers to create color separations, registration marks, and other elements needed to create printing plates
• Setting up and operating printing presses or other types of printing machines to print magazines, brochures, books, or other printed materials
• Making sure that all files are compatible with the printer’s system or software program being used
• Performing any other duties assigned by the supervisor, such as keeping inventory of supplies or ordering new materials when needed
• Installing computer software programs on computers used for graphic design or typesetting tasks
• Running test prints of each page to check for quality and make any necessary adjustments.

Prepress operators work in clean, well-lit, and temperature-controlled areas. They typically work the day shift, but some may work evenings or nights to meet deadlines. They may work overtime, weekends, and holidays as needed. Some prepress operators may be required to travel to meet with clients or attend training seminars. The work can be stressful at times, especially when deadlines are tight.

The following job titles also refer to prepress operator:

prelim/prepress Operator
electronic pre-press operator
pre-press artworker
proof-press specialist
proofer
digital pre-press operator
pre-press proofer
electronic prepress operator
proof-press technician
proof-press operator

Prepress operators typically need a high school diploma. Some employers prefer an associate’s degree in graphic arts or a related field.

Prepress operators typically receive on-the-job training. This training may last for a few weeks or a few months, depending on the company and the role.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Prepress operator is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to prepress operator.

typesetter
imagesetter
reprographics technician
prepress technician
scanning operator

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of prepress operator. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of prepress operator with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

print studio supervisor
pulp control operator
3D printing technician
webmaster
metrology technician

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of prepress operator.

• Adobe Photoshop: The 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 company Adobe.
• Adobe Illustrator: The 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 software company Adobe.
• Printing techniques: The techniques and processes to reproduce text and images using a master form or template such as letterpress printing, gravure, and laser printing.
• 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 Team.
• Proofing methods: Various 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 product is obtained.
• Types of paper: The different criteria used to determine differences in paper types such as coarseness and thickness, and the different fabrication methods and wood types from which the types of paper stem.
• Sketchbook pro: The 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 company Autodesk.
• Microsoft Visio: The 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 company Microsoft.
• Quality standards: The national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.
• Prepress processes: The processes that occur between the creation of a print layout and the final printing, such as copyediting, proofing, proofreading and others.
• Graphics editor software: The 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.
• Synfig: The 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.

These skills are necessary for the role of prepress operator.

• Produce prepress proof: Make 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 last adjustments before mass production.
• Follow a brief: Interpret and meet requirements and expectations, as discussed and agreed upon with the customers.
• Interpret illustration needs: Communicate with clients, editors and authors in order to interpret and fully understand their professional needs.
• Arrange printer sheets: Fully arrange or separate a printed product’s pages on a printer sheet in order to reduce paper waste and printing time by using an imposition proof.
• Perform image editing: Edit various types of images such as analogue and digital photographs or illustrations.
• Inspect printing output: Verify that the printing output is satisfactory using various methods such as visual verification, use of spectrophotometers or densitometers. The problems that might occur include misregisters or colour variation.
• Follow safety precautions in printing: Apply 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 allergens, heat, and disease causing agents.
• Operate printing machinery: Operate 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 content: Lay out pages by selecting sizes, styles and entering text and graphics into computer systems.
• Provide customised products: Make and develop custom-made products and solutions for customer’s specific needs.
• Use Microsoft Office: Possess the ability to work with the standard programs contained in Microsoft Office at a capable level. Create a document and do basic formatting, insert page breaks, create headers or footers, and insert graphics, create automatically generated tables of contents and merge form letters from a database of addresses (usually in Excel). Create auto-calculating spreadsheets, create images, and sort and filter data tables.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of prepress operator. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Reprography: The process of reproducing, reprinting, or copying graphic material especially by mechanical or electronic means such as photography or xerography.
• Printing materials: The 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.
• Screen printing process: This consists of preparing the screen or image carrier, squeegee, and the ink. During this process, ink is pressed through a screen on a certain surface.
• Maintenance of printing machines: Upkeep procedures and technical working of machines that produce printed graphical material.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of prepress operator. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Manage process of flexographic print: Choose and manage the process of printing, necessary tools, and colours needed during flexographic printing. This method utilises flexible relief plates made out of rubber and plastic for printing.
• Use markup languages: Utilise computer languages that are syntactically distinguishable from the text to add annotations to a document, specify layout and process types of documents such as HTML.
• Communicate with customers: Respond 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.
• Mix ink: Tend a computer-guided dispenser that mixes different shades of ink to obtain the desired colour.
• Troubleshoot: Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.
• Output electronic files: Load customer supplied electronic files onto the prepress file server, whilst checking them for completeness and potential problems. Communicate eventual problems with customers and production personnel.
• Manage offset printing process: Select and oversee implementation of relevant printing processes, necessary tools, and colours.
• Wear appropriate protective gear: Wear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.
• Proofread text: Read a text thoroughly, search for, review and correct errors to ensure content is valid for publishing.
• Calibrate electronic instruments: Correct and adjust the reliability of an electronic instrument by measuring output and comparing results with the data of a reference device or a set of standardised results. This is done in regular intervals which are set by the manufacturer and using calibration devices.
• Perform machine maintenance: Perform regular maintenance, possibly including corrections and alterations, on a machine or machine tool to ensure it remains in a proper productive state.
• Cut page edges: Fit the cutting template, set the guillotine, load pages and trim the edges to obtain the desired shape while keeping production quality and quantity.
• Use colour printing programs: Use colour printing programs, such as the CMYK colour (ink) model for various pressing machines.
• Maintain lithographic printing plates: Produce 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.

7321 – Pre-press technicians

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References

1. Prepress operator – ESCO
2. Prepress Operator Job Description: Salary, Duties, and More – Climb the Ladder
3. Featured image: By Mirzasab – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0