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Graphic technician skills for your resume and career
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted experts
Dr. Julia Gaines,
Anne Beekman
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical graphic technician skills. We ranked the top skills for graphic technicians based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 15.9% of graphic technician resumes contained graphic design as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a graphic technician needs to be successful in the workplace.
15 graphic technician skills for your resume and career
1. Graphic Design
Graphic design is the art of making visual content to communicate messages. Designers apply different page layout methods and visual hierarchy by using letters and pictures to meet the need of end-users. Most companies use graphic design to sell their product or services and to convey complicated information by using infographics.
Here's how graphic technicians use graphic design:
- Conceptualized and established highly profitable Graphic Design Department within a once strictly print production facility.
- Supervised Labels Graphic Design department; coordinated production line.
2. Adobe Illustrator
Here's how graphic technicians use adobe illustrator:
- Performed all necessary pre-press graphic work in Adobe Illustrator and Pack Edge.
- Focused on creating digital and print marketing materials for small to mid-sized businesses and local non-profit organizations using Adobe Illustrator.
3. Adobe Photoshop
Here's how graphic technicians use adobe photoshop:
- Make minor adjustments to artwork containing CT's when necessary using Adobe Photoshop.
- Created and designed enclosure of incense box enclosure using Adobe PhotoShop, and CorelDRAW.
4. PC
Here's how graphic technicians use pc:
- Maintain and update all computer hardware and software for graphics systems on both Mac and PC.
- Maintain Macintosh and PC network with associated output devices (plotters, printers etc.)
5. Windows
Windows is a chain of operating systems that controls a computer and is developed by Microsoft. Every version of Windows consists of GUI (graphical user interface), with a desktop that allows the user to open their files.
Here's how graphic technicians use windows:
- Applied graphics to vehicles, windows and billboards.
- Navigated within the Windows 98 platform.
6. Computer Graphics
Here's how graphic technicians use computer graphics:
- Operated the video and computer graphics for sermons and special events at my home church.
- Team taught Computer Graphics workshops at Polish Universities and High Schools
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Here's how graphic technicians use software programs:
- Operated computer with graphics and software programs.
- Updated computer graphic files using graphics software programs.
8. Adobe Indesign
Here's how graphic technicians use adobe indesign:
- Converted different file formats from Quark Express, MultiAd Creator, Adobe InDesign and Photoshop to meet agency clients needs.
- Created appealing designs and promotional material to attract attention to the university station using Adobe InDesign
9. Autocad
Here's how graphic technicians use autocad:
- Provided SolidWorks, ProE, SDRC/I-DEAS, AutoCAD and IsoDraw expertise.
- Create Smart One Line drawings utilizing AutoCAD 2010 and MicroStation
10. CAD
Here's how graphic technicians use cad:
- Developed detail drafting, drafting coordination, preliminary and final layouts to meet company and client CAD standards.
- Created new format for planning Cases utilizing Cad Overlay to insert target map areas into digital format.
11. Production Functions
Here's how graphic technicians use production functions:
- Contract Assignment Performed layout and production functions using desktop publishing software Production of graphic signage, i.e.
12. Corel Draw
Here's how graphic technicians use corel draw:
- Imported, converted and exported graphic files using Corel Draw.
- Developed customer designs according to specifications and modified existing drawings using Corel Draw design software.
13. Quark
Here's how graphic technicians use quark:
- Worked with Quark software to create, troubleshoot and correct files.
- Make customer requested changes to Quark and InDesign file.
14. Mac
A media access control or simply MAC is a network policy that identifies or determines how the data is being transferred in two particular servers through a network cable. The purpose of a MAC protocol is to prevent network or technical issues and simplify transferring the information or data.
Here's how graphic technicians use mac:
- Evaluated and manipulated scanned images and computer generated MAC graphics.
- Maintained constant use of Mac Illustrator, Photoshop, Linocolor, and PosterWorks, also QuarkXPress and Freehand.
15. Adobe Creative Suite
Here's how graphic technicians use adobe creative suite:
- Designed company logo utilizing Adobe Creative Suite while collaborating with client to determine their visual needs
- Designed illustrative graphics for promotional materials and presentations using Adobe Creative Suite.
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What skills help Graphic Technicians find jobs?
Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.
What skills stand out on graphic technician resumes?
Dr. Julia Gaines
Director, Professor, Percussion, University of Missouri - Columbia
Some experience with AV/IT. It will be necessary to be much more familiar with all platforms devoted to customer and student consumption.
What graphic technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Anne Beekman
Associate Professor of Graphic Design & Illustration, University of Findlay
Designers with a broad range of skills- technology, creativity, and communication-with a strong aesthetic will continue to find jobs.
What type of skills will young graphic technicians need?
Yanique DaCosta
Creative Director, YKMD Visual Communication
Young design graduates need to have three simple things: portfolio diversity, critical thinking skills, and humility.
A diverse portfolio of various deliverables (print, web, interactive, experiential, etc.) Will give any recent grad a bigger opportunity to break into the market as a professional. Unlike seasoned professionals, recent grads have not had the opportunity to find their design "voice" or identify their niche. It's best to show a range of styles and deliverables until you have enough professional work experience to discern your path forward.
Critical thinking skills, often referred to as design thinking, is an integral part of elevating the design profession as well as building your reputation within it. The design thinking process consists of observation, empathy, problem formulation, solution deduction, testing, alteration, and reiteration. You must be able to use these skills to create design solutions, so your colleagues understand you are not the "pretty color" "Photoshop fixer" person, but an informed research-based problem solver. In implementing design thinking, new grads must seek to understand how their design solutions affect; environmental sustainability, social equity, cultural diversity, inclusivity, public safety, and accessibility.
Even with a great portfolio, supported by detailed design justifications, there is no room for designers that lack humility. We do not design for ourselves; we create to solve problems for those around us. We must be able to remove our feelings about ourselves and create from a human-centric place. Without this, a new grad may find themselves frustrated before they have even started to run the first race.
A diverse portfolio of various deliverables (print, web, interactive, experiential, etc.) Will give any recent grad a bigger opportunity to break into the market as a professional. Unlike seasoned professionals, recent grads have not had the opportunity to find their design "voice" or identify their niche. It's best to show a range of styles and deliverables until you have enough professional work experience to discern your path forward.
Critical thinking skills, often referred to as design thinking, is an integral part of elevating the design profession as well as building your reputation within it. The design thinking process consists of observation, empathy, problem formulation, solution deduction, testing, alteration, and reiteration. You must be able to use these skills to create design solutions, so your colleagues understand you are not the "pretty color" "Photoshop fixer" person, but an informed research-based problem solver. In implementing design thinking, new grads must seek to understand how their design solutions affect; environmental sustainability, social equity, cultural diversity, inclusivity, public safety, and accessibility.
Even with a great portfolio, supported by detailed design justifications, there is no room for designers that lack humility. We do not design for ourselves; we create to solve problems for those around us. We must be able to remove our feelings about ourselves and create from a human-centric place. Without this, a new grad may find themselves frustrated before they have even started to run the first race.
What technical skills for a graphic technician stand out to employers?
Ariel Fristoe
Instructor, Artistic Director of Out of Hand Theater, Emory University
Applicants entering the job market in the arts have a real advantage if they have video editing and/or strong social media skills. Basic graphic design skills are also very useful, and employers are also always looking for strong communication and collaboration skills, and excellent writers.
What hard/technical skills are most important for graphic technicians?
Dr. Andy Curran
Professor, Area Coordinator, University of Cincinnati- Clermont College
-File management
-Computer literacy skills
-Software proficiency
-Computer literacy skills
-Software proficiency
Do you want to know more?
Read more about what experts have to say about graphic technicianList of graphic technician skills to add to your resume
The most important skills for a graphic technician resume and required skills for a graphic technician to have include:
- Graphic Design
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Photoshop
- PC
- Windows
- Computer Graphics
- Software Programs
- Adobe Indesign
- Autocad
- CAD
- Production Functions
- Corel Draw
- Quark
- Mac
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Color Correction
- Typesetting
- HTML
- PowerPoint
- CNC
- UV
- Troubleshoot
- Sketch
- Quark Xpress
- Vinyl Graphics
- RAN
- Platemaking
- Trade Shows
- Aided Design
- Epson
- Business Cards
- Pre-Flight
- Digital ADS
- Offset Printing
- ISO
- Customer Orders
- Promotional Materials
- Plotters
- Engraving
- Adobe Acrobat
- QC
- Xerox
- Vehicle Wraps
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025