Camera, Platemaking and Other Prepress Occupations

HOW TO GET THERE

Typical pathway

A typical path starts in secondary school with courses in graphic arts, art, math, computers, photography or design, plus hands-on projects that build attention to detail and accuracy. Many people then take a college, technical or apprenticeship-style program in printing, prepress, graphic communications or a related field, though some employers may train workers on the job. Early experience with scanners, layout software, colour correction, proofing or print production is often helpful. Exact entry routes can vary by employer, province and the specific prepress role.

THE WORK

What you may do

Legacy duties

• Graphic arts camera operators set up and adjust black and white or colour separation process cameras to convert graphic art and photographs into film for assembly and exposure onto printing plates or cylinders.
• Cylinder preparers grind and polish press cylinders, expose and lay down carbon tissue, and etch or engrave cylinders using hand tools, etching machines, photogravure or laser processes to produce cylinders for gravure presses.
• Film strippers and assemblers assemble and position, either using automated equipment or by hand, pieces of film containing all parts of a printing job to produce flats or composite negatives for preparing printing plates or cylinders.
• Platemakers operate vacuum frames, plate processors and step and repeat machines to produce printing plates for various types of presses.
• Prepress technicians operate various computer-controlled studio systems to perform colour separation, retouching and editing that allow changes to be made to a colour negative for printing purposes, plan page layouts and electronically alter shape, size and positions of illustrations and text.
• Scanner operators operate computerized scanning machines or digital cameras to make colour separations and corrections from colour copy or transparencies for use in preparing film, digital files, printing plates or cylinders.
• Proofmakers operate computerized equipment to prepare film, laser or dylux proofs for quality control purposes or for customers' review.

SKILLS TO BUILD

Skills used in this Career