Printmaker

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.

The following job titles also refer to printmaker:

designer printmaker
illustrator and printmaker
artist printmaker
silk screen printer
relief printer
printmaking artist
printmaking etcher
lithographer
screen printer
illustrator & printmaker

No formal educational credential is generally required to work as printmaker. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

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.

Printmaker is a Skill level 4 occupation.

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

ceramicist
drawing artist
artistic painter
street artist
jewellery designer

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

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

These skills are necessary for the role of printmaker.

Position engraving equipment: Position and clamp work pieces, plates, or rollers in holding fixtures.
Engrave patterns: Engrave and print designs and patterns onto a variety of surfaces.
Ensure accurate engravings: Closely observe the actions of the mechanical cutting tools, resulting in a flawless engraving process.
Select engraving templates: Select, prepare and install engraving templates; operate cutting tools and routers.
Transfer designs on workpiece: Operate stylus and cutting tools, duplicate design or letters on a workpiece.
Maintain engraving equipment: Regular maintenance of cutting wheels and other mechanic engraving tools.
Sketch designs on workpieces: Sketch or scribe layouts and designs on workpieces, plates, dies or rollers. Use compasses, scribers, gravers, pencils, etc.
Scale etchings: Operate reduction scales and set pantograph controls.
Operate engraving equipment: Operate mechanical engraving tools and machines, set controls of cutting tools. Make adjustments if necessary.
Prepare etching chemicals: Prepare etching chemicals according to formulas, mixing solutions of specified concentration.
Adjust properties of cut: Adjust cut sizes and depths of cutting tools. Adjust heights of worktables and machine-arms.
Handle etching chemicals: Brush or smear acid over mechanic engraving tools, in order to improve the visibility of the inscriptions.
Sterilise workpieces: Remove dirt from workpieces or specialised machines.
Transpose designs to engravings: Examine diagrams, sketches, blueprints and samples, and calculate how they are to be engraved onto work pieces.
Prepare workpieces for etching: Prepare 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 are applied and vary from rough to very fine ones.
Prepare workpieces for engraving: Prepare 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 are applied from rougher ones to very fine ones.
Clean engraved areas: Polish and clean engraved etching areas.
Verify engraving accuracy: Examine design results to verify engraving accuracy, rework engraving where needed.
Inspect etched work: Inspect finished etchings in detail, using microscopes and magnifying lenses.
Fill etchings: Fill etchings with opaque paste to improve readability.
Determine quality of engraving: Quality control of engravings and etchings; check for cuts, burns, rough spots and irregular or incomplete engraving.
Compute engraving dimensions: Measure and compute dimensions of lettering, designs and patterns to be engraved.

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

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

Assess conservation needs: Assess and list the needs for conservation/restoration, in relation to current use and planned future use.
Collaborate with a technical staff in artistic productions: Coordinate the artistic activities with others who are specialised in the technical side of the project. Inform the technical staff of the plans and methods suggested and obtain feedback on feasibility, cost, procedures and other relevant information. Be able to understand the vocabulary and practises concerning technical issues.

2651 – Visual artists

 

 

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References

1. Printmaker – ESCO