What does a Prepress Technician do?
Published 3 min read
A prepress technician is responsible for the preparation of digital files for printing. This may involve the use of software to convert files to a format that can be read by the printer, as well as setting up the files for printing. The prepress technician may also be responsible for proofreading the files to ensure accuracy.
Prepress Technician job duties include:
- Prepare digital files for print production
- Proofread digital files for errors
- Convert customer supplied files to a print ready format
- Perform quality control checks on digital files
- Set up and operate prepress equipment
- Perform color correction on digital files
- Create printing plates
- Mount printing plates on press
- Perform test prints
Prepress Technician Job Requirements
Prepress technicians typically need at least a high school diploma, although some jobs may require postsecondary education, and most employers provide on-the-job training. Some states have certification programs for prepress technicians. Prepress technicians typically need 1 or 2 years of experience in the field before they can be considered for a job.
Prepress Technician Skills
- Prepress Technician
- Prepress
- Printing
- Graphic Design
- Adobe Creative Suite
- QuarkXPress
- Microsoft Office
- InDesign
- Photoshop
- Illustrator
- Acrobat
- Preflighting
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How to become a Prepress Technician
A prepress technician is responsible for the preparation of digital files for printing. This may involve the use of various software programs to convert the files to a format that can be read by the printing press. The prepress technician may also be responsible for proofreading the files and ensuring that they are free of errors.
To become a prepress technician, it is important to have strong computer skills and be familiar with various software programs. It is also helpful to have experience working with printers and understand the printing process. Good communication skills are also important, as the prepress technician will need to interact with clients and other members of the printing team.
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