Occupational Profiles

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

• 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
• Prepare and initiate the development of printing plates for the offset process and are responsible for the maintenance of plate flasher type devices (CTP, Computer to plate)
• Operate vacuum frames, plate processors and step and repeat machines to produce printing plates for various types of presses
• Operate computerized equipment to prepare film, laser or dylux proofs for quality control purposes and for customers' review.

• 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.