Prepress Technician Handicraft & Printing Workers
SaveWhat Does a Prepress Technician Do?
Prepress technicians prepare printing processes by formatting, setting and composing text and graphics into a suitable form. This includes the capture of text and image and processing it electronically. They also prepare, maintain and troubleshoot printing presses.
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Where Do I Start?
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.
Sign up to trackReady to go deeper? Pick up to 3 skills to focus on from the list below.
These are common skills for this role. Real-world experience matters more than ticking every box — use this as a guide, not a checklist.
Skills You Need to Become a Prepress Technician
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
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EssentialAdobe Photoshop knowledge
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 …
Recommended Books
1 book -
EssentialGIMP (graphics Editor Software) knowledge
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 …
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialAdobe Illustrator knowledge
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 …
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialMicrosoft Visio knowledge
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 …
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialTypography knowledge
The procedure of arranging written texts for printing processes.
Recommended Books
2 books -
EssentialPrepress Processes knowledge
The processes that occur between the creation of a print layout and the final printing, such as copyediting, proofing, proofreading and others.
Recommended Books
1 book -
EssentialGraphics Editor Software knowledge
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 …
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialMaintenance Of Printing Machines knowledge
Upkeep procedures and technical working of machines that produce printed graphical material.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialPrinting On Large Scale Machines knowledge
Methods, processes, and restrictions related to printing on machines that produce large quantities and sizes of graphic print materials.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialSketchbook Pro knowledge
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 …
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialSynfig knowledge
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 …
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialPrinting Plate Making knowledge
The different techniques used to produce the plates that will be mounted on rolls for the flexographic or offset printing process such as laser engraving or the technique consisting in …
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialProofing Methods knowledge
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 …
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialReprography knowledge
The process of reproducing, reprinting, or copying graphic material especially by mechanical or electronic means such as photography or xerography.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialFollow Safety Precautions In Printing skill
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 …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialProduce Prepress Proof skill
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 …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialTroubleshoot skill
Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAlign Content With Form skill
Align form and content to make sure they fit together.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialLay Out Digital Written Content skill
Lay out pages by selecting sizes, styles and entering text and graphics into computer systems.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialOperate Laser Plate Maker Machine skill
Maintain and handle laser plate making equipment, which converts electronic data to plates without the use of photographic film. Use erasers and needles to perform minor deletions, additions or corrections …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialOperate Printing Machinery skill
Operate machinery for various types of printed documents, adjusting the font, paper size, and weight. This allows ascenders and descenders to be correctly placed.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialOutput Electronic Files skill
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.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPrepare Films For Printing Plates skill
Place the photographic materials coated with a light-sensitive substance on the printing plate in such a way that will limit waste and facilitate printing processes. Place the plates in the …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPrepare Printing Form skill
Prepare and inspect plates that are used in printing process to transfer ink on the desired surface and place them in the machines, for example fixing them around printing rollers.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialScale Copies skill
Use proportion wheels to scale the layout and resolution of images up or down.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialScan Negatives skill
Scan processed negatives so they can be digitally stored, edited, and printed.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialSet Colour Profiles skill
Maintain consistent colour output in digital colour and inkjet printers by running calibration routines and making sure that the colour profiles for the printers are still accurate.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialSet Scanner Controls skill
Use a mouse, keyboard or other controls to set up the scanner precisely.
Course recommendations coming soon.
Optional Skills (5 of 25 displayed)
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OptionalPrinting Techniques knowledge
The techniques and processes to reproduce text and images using a master form or template such as letterpress printing, gravure, and laser printing.
Recommended Books
2 books -
OptionalGraphic Design knowledge
The techniques to create a visual representation of ideas and messages.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalPrinting Materials knowledge
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.
Recommended Books
1 book -
OptionalOffset Printing knowledge
Technological printing process where the ink is spread onto a plate with etched images, then to a rubber blanket, and finally onto the target medium, usually paper. This method is …
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalPrinted Goods Processes knowledge
The various types and characteristics of producing printed goods such as catalogues, flyers, etc.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalPrinting Media knowledge
Specific techniques related to various printing surfaces such plastics, metal, glass, textiles, wood, and paper.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalQuality Standards knowledge
The national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalCommunicate With Customers skill
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.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDigitise Documents skill
Load analog documents by converting them into a digital format, using specialised hardware and software.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalEdit Photographs skill
Resize, enhance and retouche photographs, using airbrushing, editing software and other techniques.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalMeet Deadlines skill
Ensure operative processes are finished at a previously agreed-upon time.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPrevent Paper Jams skill
Overlook the insertion and output of finished products in order to prevent paper jams.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalApply Opaque skill
Cover up film negatives by applying opaque to printing plates, blocking out defections such as blemishes and pinholes.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCreate Digital Files skill
Create digital files in the computer system after quality checking printing or scanned documents for malfunctions.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalHandle Scanning Material Safely skill
Load and handle the material to be scanned safely and make sure that the scanning equipment is clean.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalInk Printing Plates skill
Cover the plate with a thin coat of water and apply oil-based inks with a rubber roller, repelling and sticking the ink to the image area. This image can then …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalInterpret Illustration Needs skill
Communicate with clients, editors and authors in order to interpret and fully understand their professional needs.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalMaintain Lithographic Printing Plates skill
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.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalManage Offset Printing Process skill
Select and oversee implementation of relevant printing processes, necessary tools, and colours.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPrepare Offset Printing Machine skill
Adjust, set, and prepare machines for offset printing by calibrating each part of the machine.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalProcess Printing Input skill
Accept and pre-process input documents and orders to be used for print production.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalScan Photos skill
Scan images into computers for editing, storage, and electronic transmission.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalStore Negatives skill
Place the cut photographic film (negatives) into protective sleeves and store them properly.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalUse Colour Printing Programs skill
Use colour printing programs, such as the CMYK colour (ink) model for various pressing machines.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalUse Typesetting Software skill
Use specialised computer programs to arrange the type of texts and images to be printed.
Course recommendations coming soon.