Pre-press technician – everything you need to know about the apprenticeship
Pre-press technicians – formerly known as printing plate technicians or reproduction technicians – handle all the steps involved in previous need to be taken care of before printing. This means that a customer sends a print file to the print shop of their choice and, before printing begins, the file must undergo a quality check. Let’s take a closer look at this.
What do I do? actually as a pre-press technician?
The role of pre-press technicians has undergone a transformation in recent decades. What used to be done by hand – such as setting individual letters on printing plates – is now carried out in front of a computer screen. Pre-press technicians capture text, graphics and image files and prepare them for printing in such a way as to achieve the desired result. Layout and design are also crucial, and the print products should be positioned as effectively as possible on the final material – for example, by arranging the optimum number of print products on the printing sheet. It is essential that the text remains legible, that the print data is structured correctly, and that it corresponds to the order specified. At our company, pre-press technicians primarily check the quality of the data. This involves verifying that the resolution of the images is correct, that the format of the print file matches the order specifications, and that the print data has been technically prepared correctly for printing. You will therefore be working extensively with image-editing programmes, and an aptitude for colour theory, typography and aspects of web design and computer science would be an advantage.
However, the work is not limited to ‘sitting in front of a computer’, as pre-press technicians must also produce printing plates and printing forms, or organise their production. Last but not least, all data should be archived and stored so that it can be quickly retrieved for later processes or enquiries.
What skills do I need to have for the apprenticeship as a pre-press technician?
Pre-press technicians must carry out physical work alongside working on digital equipment, for example when printing plates need to be produced and mounted. This may involve contact with adhesives and chemicals, and night and shift work may also be necessary, for instance when jobs need to be completed and delivered on time. The role of pre-press technicians could therefore certainly be described as a responsible one, occupying a key position in the production of printed materials.
However, as not everything can be done on one’s own (and, fortunately, doesn’t have to be), good teamwork skills are essential, as numerous departments and staff members are involved in a large print order and high-quality, efficient work is vital.
Your career prospects
As with all skilled trades, pre-press technicians must also consider the issue of further automation and digitalisation. In future, some of the tasks associated with the traditional role of pre-press technicians could be automated, with the core work shifting to the digital sphere. In this profession too (as in almost every other), the same applies: keep learning, stay on the ball and keep up to date with the latest technology! The services of pre-press technicians will therefore continue to be in demand in the future at printing works, publishing and newspaper printing houses, in-house print shops of large companies, repro and layout studios, and in the packaging industry.
Why should I choose to train as a pre-press technician at druck.at?
Do you want to spend most of your working hours in front of a computer screen, but with the necessary variety provided by physical work? Do you enjoy working with layouts, typography and image editing software? Then a career as a pre-press technician probably offers a great mix of both, as this apprenticeship – and your future career – requires you to be a true all-rounder! Interested? Then apply here for the pre-press technician apprenticeship at druck.at!
To ensure you know exactly what you’ll be learning on the pre-press technician apprenticeship at druck.at, we’ve summarised the key points for you.
Key facts about the pre-press technician apprenticeship at druck.at:
- Duration of the apprenticeship: 3.5 years
- Duration of vocational training: 10 consecutive weeks for a full apprenticeship year, 5 consecutive weeks for the final half-year of the apprenticeship
- Why choose a pre-press technician in particular? The final and crucial stage before printing: a responsible role that is highly demanding.
