Pre-press technicians proof, format, set and compose text and graphics into a form suitable for use in various printing processes and representation in other visual media.
Skill level:
Semi-skilled
Check your pay
- Salary range for the majority of workers in Pre-press technicians - from R11 282 to R33 927 per month - 2025.
- A Pre-press technicians typically earns between R11 282 and R18 311 net per month at the start of the job.
- After 5 years of service, this is between R12 213 and R22 006 per month for a working week of 45 hours.
Salary Check
Duties and tasks
- Operating graphic cameras and other photographic equipment to reproduce camera-ready copy onto films, plates and digital output devices
- Using computer applications to generate images, text, layouts and impositions for print and other visual media displays
- Operating plate making equipment to reproduce images from film to printing plates, digital output devices and presses
- Operating computer screen-based equipment for scanning, colour separation, colour correction, masking, creative design, combining, imposing, retouching, and other processes used to transfer copy to film and produce film for plate, digital output and cylinder productions
- Carrying out digital and chemical proofing from digital systems, and negative and positive films
- Evaluating printed proofs, checking and correcting them for quality
- Preparing and exposing carbon tissue for laying on cylinders by transfer method, and developing images
