How to hire a desktop operator

How to hire a desktop operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step desktop operator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a desktop operator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new desktop operator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your desktop operator job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a desktop operator for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A desktop operator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, desktop operators from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of desktop operator salaries for various roles:

   Type of Desktop Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Desktop Operator	Desktop publishers use computer software to design page layouts for newspapers, books, brochures, and other items that are printed or published online.	$17-34
   Operator	Operators are skilled workers who are in charge of working on an industrial machine or a specific aspect of the manufacturing business. They are trained to operate machines, learning how to use them... Show more	$12-25

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Adobe Photoshop
   • Mac
   • Adobe Indesign
   • Quark
   • PC
   • Color Correction
   • PDF
   • Pitstop
   • Platemaking
   • Desktop Support
   • PowerPoint
   • CTP
   • Troubleshoot
   • Pagemaker

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead a cross discipline team to develop a new SERB database for Westlaw.
   • Create cover reprints using QuarkXpress.
   • Install, configure and support PC hardware and software.
   • Assemble pages in QuarkXpress 3.1 and impose in INposition 1.5.
   • Create new mass produce documents from inception to production through digital typesetting, proofing and testing.
   • Operate Macintosh computer for typesetting, color separations and scanning photographs, negatives, slides, color and black/white artwork.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your desktop operator job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A desktop operator can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, desktop operators' average salary in oklahoma is 48% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level desktop operators 49% less than senior-level desktop operators.
   • Certifications. A desktop operator with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a desktop operator's salary.

   Average desktop operator salary

   $51,191yearly

   $24.61 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level desktop operator salary

   $36,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

4. Writing a desktop operator job description

   A good desktop operator job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a desktop operator job description:

   Desktop operator job description example

   Review electronic files that are received from clients and check them for thoroughness and completeness in advance of the plate making process. Utilize CTP plate making equipment to prepare plates for press when necessary.
   Duties and Responsibilities
   
   Using electronic page layout software (desktop publishing software), color correct files, create template layouts and ensure that output files meet internal and external customer requirements for Offset and digital format.
   
   Determine page layout, accounting for folds, trims, bleeds and gripper, and add crop marks and color bars as necessary.
   
   Preflight files and identify missing or problematic file issues and communicate those issues to the CSR, customer and production personnel.
   
   Load customer supplied electronic files for output, onto the Pre-Press file server.
   
   Create an electronic image of the pages to create manufacturing proofs used during the manufacturing process.
   
   Prepare color proofs for customer review.
   
   Impose images and operate CTP plate making equipment and bending/tabbing equipment to prepare plates for press.
   
   Review job instructions for accuracy and completeness, and if discrepancies are found, facilitate the creation of new instructions with List Services Representative.
   
   Estimate job completion dates and communicate job progress through the relevant production processes. Update production schedule.
   
   Summarize data record counts for various production processes to facilitate billing activities.
   
   Required Skills
   
   Must be able to work with various graphic design and layout software applications commonly used on Mac's and PC's.
   
   Advanced color management skills and the ability to work with different digital file formats are required.
   
   Must have the ability to output digital files to various output devices; must have the ability to continue to learn and use new graphics software on an ongoing basis.
   
   Must have a strong understanding of the offset and digital printing process.
   
   Regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
   
   Required Experience
   
   Experience working in a commercial print facility, preferred.
   
   Minimum 5 years work experience as desktop operator/platemaking required.
   
   RRD is an EEO/AA including Vets and Disabled Employer

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find desktop operators for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any desktop operators they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level desktop operators with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your desktop operator job on Zippia to find and recruit desktop operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with desktop operator candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new desktop operator

   Once you've decided on a perfect desktop operator candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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