Prepress Technicians and Workers
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.
Also called: Ad Compositor, Ad Setter, Advertisement Compositor, Advertising Layout Worker, Bankman, Blueprint Blocker
Median pay
$48,690
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$35,810 – $66,080
People employed
23,840
Holland code
CRA
Conventional · Realistic · Artistic
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you work well under tight deadlines?
- 2.Do you prefer working indoors?
- 3.Are you comfortable sitting at a desk most of the day?
- 4.Do you want the same hours every week?
- 5.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
- 6.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
- 7.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 8.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Prepress Technicians and Workers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (44 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What prepress technicians and workers do
- 01Generate prepress proofs in digital or other format to approximate the appearance of the final printed piece.
- 02Proofread and perform quality control of text and images.
- 03Enter, position, and alter text size, using computers, to make up and arrange pages so that printed materials can be produced.
- 04Perform "preflight" check of required font, graphic, text and image files to ensure completeness prior to delivery to printer.
- 05Operate and maintain laser plate-making equipment that converts electronic data to plates without the use of film.
- 06Enter, store, and retrieve information on computer-aided equipment.
Skills that matter most
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
Knowledge
- Computers and Electronics
- English Language
- Design
- Mathematics
- Production and Processing
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs vocational training or an associate degree (O*NET Job Zone 3).
- Related work experience: over 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
- On-the-job training: over 3 months, up to and including 6 months.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from prepress technicians and workers
- Office Machine Operators, Except Computer77% · −16%
- Etchers and Engravers77% · −11%
- Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic76% · +19%
- Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators76% · −17%
- Desktop Publishers75% · +14%
Change into prepress technicians and workers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Desktop Publishers79% · $55,290
- Office Machine Operators, Except Computer78% · $40,960
- Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators78% · $40,610
- Motion Picture Projectionists72% · $38,270
- Photographers71% · $44,660
Majors that lead here
- Graphic Communications, General
- Printing Management
- Prepress/Desktop Publishing and Digital Imaging Design
- Graphic and Printing Equipment Operator, General Production
- Platemaker/Imager
- Printing Press Operator
- Computer Typography and Composition Equipment Operator
- Graphic Communications, Other
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.