Description:
Set up and prepare material for printing presses.
Tasks
- Enter, store, and retrieve information on computer-aided equipment.
- Enter, position, and alter text size, using computers, to make up and arrange pages so that printed materials can be produced.
- Maintain, adjust, and clean equipment, and perform minor repairs.
- Operate and maintain laser plate-making equipment that converts electronic data to plates without the use of film.
- Examine photographic images for obvious imperfections prior to plate making.
- Operate presses to print proofs of plates, monitoring printing quality to ensure that it is adequate.
- Monitor contact between cover glass and masks inside vacuum frames, in order to prevent flaws resulting from overexposure or light reflection.
- Transfer images from master plates to unexposed plates, and immerse plates in developing solutions to develop images.
- Examine unexposed photographic plates to detect flaws or foreign particles prior to printing.
- Lower vacuum frames onto plate-film assemblies, activate vacuums to establish contact between film and plates, and set timers to activate ultraviolet lights that expose plates.
Knowledge
- Computers and Electronics
- Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
- English Language
- Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Communications and Media
- Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
- Customer and Personal Service
- Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
- Design
- Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
- Education and Training
- Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
- Clerical
- Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
- Mathematics
- Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
- Production and Processing
- Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
- Administration and Management
- Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Skills
- Active Listening
- Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Reading Comprehension
- Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Active Learning
- Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
- Time Management
- Managing one's own time and the time of others.
- Coordination
- Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
- Troubleshooting
- Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
- Learning Strategies
- Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
- Speaking
- Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Critical Thinking
- Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Instructing
- Teaching others how to do something.
Abilities
- Near Vision
- The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
- Oral Comprehension
- The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Problem Sensitivity
- The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
- Oral Expression
- The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- Inductive Reasoning
- The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
- Speech Recognition
- The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
- Information Ordering
- The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
- Visualization
- The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
- Finger Dexterity
- The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
- Speech Clarity
- The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Work Activities
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Getting Information
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Interacting With Computers
- Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Processing Information
- Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
- Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
- Thinking Creatively
- Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Work Context
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
- Face-to-Face Discussions
- How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
- Time Pressure
- How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
- Importance of Repeating Same Tasks
- How important is repeating the same physical activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and over, without stopping, to performing this job?
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
- Frequency of Decision Making
- How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
- Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
- How do the decisions an employee makes impact the results of co-workers, clients or the company?
- Structured versus Unstructured Work
- To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?
- Electronic Mail
- How often do you use electronic mail in this job?
- Contact With Others
- How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
Interests
- Realistic
- Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
- Conventional
- Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
- Enterprising
- Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
- Artistic
- Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
- Investigative
- Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
- Social
- Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Work Style
- Attention to Detail
- Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
- Dependability
- Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
- Stress Tolerance
- Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
- Cooperation
- Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
- Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
- Persistence
- Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
- Self Control
- Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
- Initiative
- Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
- Integrity
- Job requires being honest and ethical.
- Achievement/Effort
- Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Work Value
- Support
- Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
- Independence
- Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employs to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
- Relationships
- Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
- Working Conditions
- Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
- Achievement
- Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
- Recognition
- Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
Common Lay Titles
- Ad Compositor
- Ad Setter
- Advertisement Compositor
- Advertising Layout Worker
- Bankman
- Blueprint Blocker
- Blueprint Cutter
- Blueprint Developer
- Blueprint Duplicator
- Blueprint Machine Operator
- Blueprint Maker
- Blueprint Processor
- Blueprint Reproducer
- Blueprinter
- Blueprinting Machine Operator
- Camera Operator
- Clamper
- Cold Type Artist
- Color Etcher
- Color Separation Photographer
- Color Stripper
- Composer
- Composing Machine Operator/Tender
- Composing Room Manager
- Compositor
- Compositor Apprentice
- Computer to Plate Operator (CTP Operator)
- Computer Typesetter
- Copper Etcher
- Copper Plate Lithographer
- Desktop Operator
- Digital Prepress Operator
- Diploma Maker
- Dot Etcher
- Dot Etcher Apprentice
- Dumpman
- Electron-Beam Photo Mask Maker
- Electron-Beam Photo Mask Technician
- Electronic Masking System Operator
- Electronic Prepress Operator (EPP Operator)
- Electronic Prepress Technician (EPP Tech)
- Electrotyper
- Electrotyper Apprentice
- Etcher
- Form Setter
- Form Worker
- Galley Stripper
- Graphic Artist
- Graphic Arts Technician
- Graphic Designer
- Graphic Technician
- Gravure Press Operator
- Halftone Operator
- Hand Compositor
- Hand Etcher
- Head Setter
- Imposer
- Intertype Operator
- Job Compositor
- Job Forwarder
- Job Lithographer
- Keyboard Operator
- Laser Beam Color Scanner Operator
- Layout Former
- Layup Worker
- Letterpress Setter
- Line Camera Operator
- Linotype Operator
- Linotype Worker
- Linotyper
- Linotypist
- Lithograph Designer
- Lithograph Operator
- Lithographer
- Lithographer Apprentice
- Lithographers Printer
- Lithographic Artist
- Lithographic Camera Operator
- Lithographic Etcher
- Lithographic Photographer
- Lithographic Photographer Apprentice
- Lithographic Plate Maker
- Lithographic Plate-Maker Apprentice
- Lithographic Platemaker
- Lithographic Press Operator
- Lithographic Stripper
- Lithographing Machine Operator
- Lithopress Operator
- Lithostripper
- Lock Up Worker
- Ludlow Machine Operator
- Machine Compositor
- Make Up Arranger
- Make Up Worker
- Make-Up Arranger
- Manufacturing Assistant
- Manufacturing Associate
- Manufacturing Operator
- Map Mounter
- Monotype Caster
- Monotype Keyboard Operator
- Monotype Operator
- Monotype Setter
- Monotyper
- Monotypist
- Music Engraver
- Negative Assembler
- Negative Stripper
- Offset Camera Operator
- Offset Plate Maker
- Offset Platemaker
- Opaquer
- Pantograph Machine Operator
- Pantograph Operator
- Pantograph Setter
- Pantograph Transferrer
- Pantographer
- Paste Up Artist
- Paste Up Copy Camera Operator
- Paste-Up Artist
- Paste-Up Artist Apprentice
- Paste-Up Worker
- Photocomposing Machine Operator
- Photoengraver
- Photoengraver Apprentice
- Photoengraving Apprentice
- Photoengraving Etcher
- Photoengraving Etcher Apprentice
- Photoengraving Finisher
- Photoengraving Machine Operator/Tender
- Photoengraving Photographer
- Photoengraving Printer
- Photoengraving Proofer
- Photoengraving Proofer Apprentice
- Photoengraving Retoucher
- Photographic Lithographer
- Photographic Plate Maker
- Photographic Platemaker
- Photogravure Press Operator
- Photolettering Machine Operator
- Photolith Operator
- Photolithographer
- Photolithographic Stripper
- Phototypesetter
- Phototypesetter Operator
- Phototypesetting Equipment Monitor
- Plate Developer
- Plate Finisher
- Plate Grainer
- Plate Grainer Apprentice
- Plate Keeper
- Plate Maker
- Plate Mounter
- Plate Straightener
- Platemaker
- Pre-Press Proofer
- Pre-Press Technician
- Prepress Digital Technician
- Prepress Manager
- Prepress Operator
- Prepress Specialist
- Prepress Stripper
- Prepress Supervisor
- Prepress Technician
- Print Room Worker
- Printing Film Stripper
- Printing Plate Maker
- Printing Technician
- Process Artist
- Process Stripper
- Process Worker
- Production Coordinator
- Proofsheet Corrector
- Repeat Chief
- Repeat Photocomposing Machine Operator
- Roller Print Tender
- Roller Varnisher
- Router
- Runner
- Runner Out
- Scanner
- Scanner Operator
- Scanning Clerk
- Semiconductor Packages Platemaker
- Set Up Worker
- Sheet Layer
- Steel Die Printer
- Step and Repeat Camera Operator
- Step and Repeat Reduction Camera Operator
- Stereotyper
- Stereotyper Apprentice
- Stonehand
- Stoneman
- Striping Machine Operator
- Stripper
- Stripper Apprentice
- Teletypesetter
- Teletypesetter Operator
- Terminal Makeup Operator
- Transfer Worker
- Transferrer
- Type Setter
- Type-Proof Reproducer
- Typecasting Machine Operator
- Typesetter
- Typesetter Apprentice
- Typesetters Printer
- Typesetting Machine Operator/Tender
- Typo Machine Operator
- Typographer
- Zinc Etcher
- Zincographer