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Plate maker vs typographer

The differences between plate makers and typographers 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 typographer. Additionally, a typographer has an average salary of $42,971, 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 typographer are typesetting, mac, and adobe indesign.

Plate maker vs typographer overview

Plate MakerTypographer
Yearly salary$40,483$42,971
Hourly rate$19.46$20.66
Growth rate--
Number of jobs7,03162
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 39%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age4848
Years of experience44

Plate maker vs typographer salary

Plate makers and typographers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Plate MakerTypographer
Average salary$40,483$42,971
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $72,000Between $26,000 And $70,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between plate maker and typographer education

There are a few differences between a plate maker and a typographer in terms of educational background:

Plate MakerTypographer
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 39%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common majorGraphic DesignGraphic Design
Most common collegeCalifornia Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoStanford University

Plate maker vs typographer demographics

Here are the differences between plate makers' and typographers' demographics:

Plate MakerTypographer
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 76.8% Female, 23.2%Male, 30.0% Female, 70.0%
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, 8.4% Unknown, 3.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.3% Asian, 7.3% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage13%13%

Differences between plate maker and typographer 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

Typographer example responsibilities.

  • Manage each project from typesetting to print production.
  • Advance technical typesetting for advertising agencies and graphic designers.
  • Identify discrepancies with sales/customer service representative; press and bindery operators, technical support.
  • Generate booklets, pamphlets and other literature for BCBS policies and distribute the materials throughout Massachusetts.

Plate maker vs typographer skills

Common plate maker skills
  • Creo, 15%
  • Flexo, 9%
  • Quality Plates, 9%
  • Plate Material, 8%
  • ISO, 7%
  • Routine Maintenance, 6%
Common typographer skills
  • Typesetting, 57%
  • Mac, 25%
  • Adobe Indesign, 19%

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