Prepress Technicians and Workers
Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed
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.
Median pay: $48,690/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: -14.6% projected growth, 2024–2034 — declining.
About 2,800 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• Generate prepress proofs in digital or other format to approximate the appearance of the final printed piece.
• Proofread and perform quality control of text and images.
• Enter, position, and alter text size, using computers, to make up and arrange pages so that printed materials can be produced.
• Perform "preflight" check of required font, graphic, text and image files to ensure completeness prior to delivery to printer.
• Operate and maintain laser plate-making equipment that converts electronic data to plates without the use of film.
• Enter, store, and retrieve information on computer-aided equipment.
• Maintain, adjust, and clean equipment, and perform minor repairs.
What's the median pay for Prepress Technicians and Workers?
The median pay for Prepress Technicians and Workers is $48,690 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Prepress Technicians and Workers?
Employment for Prepress Technicians and Workers is projected to change -14.6% from 2024 to 2034 - declining.
What education is typically required for Prepress Technicians and Workers?
Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.
How many job openings are there each year for Prepress Technicians and Workers?
About 2,800 openings per year, on average, over the decade.