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Plate maker vs paste-up artist apprentice

The differences between plate makers and paste-up artist apprentices can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a plate maker and a paste-up artist apprentice. Additionally, a paste-up artist apprentice has an average salary of $55,246, which is higher than the $40,483 average annual salary of a plate maker.

The top three skills for a plate maker include creo, flexo and quality plates. The most important skills for a paste-up artist apprentice are photography, sculpture, and public display.

Plate maker vs paste-up artist apprentice overview

Plate MakerPaste-Up Artist Apprentice
Yearly salary$40,483$55,246
Hourly rate$19.46$26.56
Growth rate-5%
Number of jobs7,0319,375
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 39%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Average age4848
Years of experience44

Plate maker vs paste-up artist apprentice salary

Plate makers and paste-up artist apprentices have different pay scales, as shown below.

Plate MakerPaste-Up Artist Apprentice
Average salary$40,483$55,246
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $72,000Between $28,000 And $106,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between plate maker and paste-up artist apprentice education

There are a few differences between a plate maker and a paste-up artist apprentice in terms of educational background:

Plate MakerPaste-Up Artist Apprentice
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 39%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Most common majorGraphic DesignGraphic Design
Most common collegeCalifornia Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoUniversity of Texas at Austin

Plate maker vs paste-up artist apprentice demographics

Here are the differences between plate makers' and paste-up artist apprentices' demographics:

Plate MakerPaste-Up Artist Apprentice
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 76.8% Female, 23.2%Male, 44.9% Female, 55.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 3.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.3% Asian, 7.6% White, 61.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 8.7% Unknown, 3.3% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 9.8% White, 60.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage13%13%

Differences between plate maker and paste-up artist apprentice duties and responsibilities

Plate maker example responsibilities.

  • Operate and maintain laser plate-making equipment such as Creo Trendsetters and Kodak Magnus VLF.
  • Retain records for ISO audit.
  • Retrieve files from CTP server.
  • Set up jobs and run jobs on Autologic platemaker.
  • Monitor completion of plates for quality control distribution to the pressroom.
  • Pack lids on production line and make plates on plate-maker for flexo printing.
  • Show more

Paste-up artist apprentice example responsibilities.

  • Create original marionette puppets from clay sculpture, cast in paper mache with sewn bodies, costumes, and wooden controls.
  • Type ads on Itek system.
  • Typeset advertisements on compugraphic 8500 and PC.
  • Handle platemaking, opaquing and stripping of negatives.
  • Work involve cleaning the shop, drawing, and tattooing customer.
  • Proofread all the ads and artwork making sure they are correct.
  • Show more

Plate maker vs paste-up artist apprentice skills

Common plate maker skills
  • Creo, 15%
  • Flexo, 9%
  • Quality Plates, 9%
  • Plate Material, 8%
  • ISO, 7%
  • Routine Maintenance, 6%
Common paste-up artist apprentice skills
  • Photography, 34%
  • Sculpture, 19%
  • Public Display, 15%
  • Group Project, 12%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 10%
  • ST, 10%

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