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ESCO occupation

prepress operator

Back to ESCO occupations

Prepress operators create a prepress proof or sample of what the finished product is expected to look like. They monitor printing quality, ensuring that graphics, colors and content meet the required quality and technical standards.

7321.1.3 ISCO 7321 ESCO source
Competences
42
Groups
4
Essential
23
Optional
19

Competences and skills

42 ESCO relations
Essential knowledge 12 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

9 competences
Adobe Illustrator

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 developed by the software company Adobe.

digital
ESCO source
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.

digital
ESCO source
GIMP (graphics editor software)

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 The GIMP Development Team.

digital
ESCO source
graphics editor software

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 graphics.

digital
ESCO source
Microsoft Visio

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 by the software company Microsoft.

digital
ESCO source
proofing methods

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 of the product is obtained.

ESCO source
SketchBook Pro

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 by the software company Autodesk.

digital
ESCO source
Synfig

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 Robert Quattlebaum.

digital
ESCO source
types of paper

The different criteria used to determine differences in paper types such as coarseness and thickness, and the different fabrication methods and wood types from which the types of paper stem.

ESCO source

Cross-sector

3 competences
prepress processes

The processes that occur between the creation of a print layout and the final printing, such as copyediting, proofing, proofreading and others.

ESCO source
printing techniques

The techniques and processes to reproduce text and images using a master form or template such as letterpress printing, gravure, and laser printing.

ESCO source
quality standards

The national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.

ESCO source
Essential skills and competences 11 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

6 competences
arrange printer sheets

Fully arrange or separate a printed product's pages on a printer sheet in order to reduce paper waste and printing time by using an imposition proof.

ESCO source
follow safety precautions in printing

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 disease causing agents.

ESCO source
inspect printing output

Verify that the printing output is satisfactory using various methods such as visual verification, use of spectrophotometers or densitometers. The problems that might occur include misregisters or colour variation.

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interpret illustration needs

Communicate with clients, editors and authors in order to interpret and fully understand their professional needs.

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operate printing machinery

Operate machinery for various types of printed documents, adjusting the font, paper size, and weight. This allows ascenders and descenders to be correctly placed.

ESCO source
produce prepress proof

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 to make the last adjustments before mass production.

ESCO source

Cross-sector

5 competences
follow a brief

Interpret and meet requirements and expectations, as discussed and agreed upon with the customers.

ESCO source
lay out digital written content

Lay out pages by selecting sizes, styles and entering text and graphics into computer systems.

digital
ESCO source
perform image editing

Edit various types of images such as analogue and digital photographs or illustrations.

digital
ESCO source
provide customised products

Make and develop custom-made products and solutions for customer's specific needs.

ESCO source
use microsoft office

Use the standard programs contained in Microsoft Office. Create a document and do basic formatting, insert page breaks, create headers or footers, and insert graphics, create automatically generated tables of contents and merge form letters from a database of addresses. Create auto-calculating spreadsheets, create images, and sort and filter data tables.

digital
ESCO source
Optional knowledge 5 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

3 competences
maintenance of printing machines

Upkeep procedures and technical working of machines that produce printed graphical material.

ESCO source
printing materials

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.

ESCO source
screen printing process

This consists of preparing the screen or image carrier, squeegee, and the ink. During this process, ink is pressed through a screen on a certain surface.

ESCO source

Cross-sector

2 competences
digitization

The process of transforming an object from its analogical form to a digital format. It creates a digital representation of the object without making in-kind changes to it.

digital
ESCO source
reprography

The process of reproducing, reprinting, or copying graphic material especially by mechanical or electronic means such as photography or xerography.

ESCO source
Optional skills and competences 14 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

7 competences
cut page edges

Fit the cutting template, set the guillotine, load pages and trim the edges to obtain the desired shape while keeping production quality and quantity.

ESCO source
maintain lithographic printing plates

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.

ESCO source
manage process of flexographic print

Choose and manage the process of printing, necessary tools, and colours needed during flexographic printing. This method utilises flexible relief plates made out of rubber and plastic for printing.

ESCO source
mix ink

Tend a computer-guided dispenser that mixes different shades of ink to obtain the desired colour.

digital
ESCO source
output electronic files

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.

digital
ESCO source
use colour printing programs

Use colour printing programs, such as the CMYK colour (ink) model for various pressing machines.

digital
ESCO source
use markup languages

Utilise computer languages that are syntactically distinguishable from the text, to add annotations to a document, specify layout and process types of documents such as HTML.

digital
ESCO source

Cross-sector

7 competences
calibrate electronic instruments

Correct and adjust the reliability of an electronic instrument by measuring output and comparing results with the data of a reference device or a set of standardised results. This is done in regular intervals which are set by the manufacturer and using calibration devices.

ESCO source
communicate with customers

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.

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manage offset printing process

Select and oversee implementation of relevant printing processes, necessary tools, and colours.

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perform machine maintenance

Perform regular maintenance, possibly including corrections and alterations, on a machine or machine tool to ensure it remains in a proper productive state.

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proofread text

Read a text thoroughly, search for, review and correct errors to ensure content is valid for publishing.

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troubleshoot

Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.

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wear appropriate protective gear

Wear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.

ESCO source