Camera, platemaking and other prepress occupations

Example job titles

• camera operator - graphic arts
• cylinder preparer - printing
• dot etcher - printing
• file preparation operator
• film stripper-assembler
• platemaker - printing
• pre-flight operator - printing
• prepress technician
• printing plate engraver
• proofmaker
• screenmaker
• studio-image-processing system operator

Main duties

• This group performs some or all of the following duties:
• Graphic arts camera operators, scanner operators, film strippers and assemblers
• 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
• 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
• 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.
• Etchers and engravers
• Examine the text, design, or pattern to determine how it will be etched or engraved onto the workpiece
• Prepare surface of workpiece for etching or engraving by cleaning, polishing, treating, and applying additional methods
• Etch or engrave the text, design or pattern onto the workpiece using hand tools, etching machines, photogravure or laser processes.
• Prepress technicians, platemakers, proofmakers, and pre-flight/file-preparation operators

Employment requirements

• Completion of secondary school is required.
• Completion of a college program in graphic arts technology or a combination of on-the-job training and specialized college, industry or other courses may be required.
• Trade certification for some occupations in this group is available, but voluntary, in Ontario, Alberta, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

Approved positions by year