Prepress operator vs electronic prepress operator

The differences between prepress operators and electronic prepress operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a prepress operator and an electronic prepress operator. Additionally, an electronic prepress operator has an average salary of $51,509, which is higher than the $41,006 average annual salary of a prepress operator.

The top three skills for a prepress operator include mac, graphic design and adobe creative suite. The most important skills for an electronic prepress operator are computer software, electronic prepress, and adobe photoshop.

Prepress operator vs electronic prepress operator overview

	Prepress Operator	Electronic Prepress Operator
Yearly salary	$41,006	$51,509
Hourly rate	$19.71	$24.76
Growth rate	-14%	-14%
Number of jobs	25,849	28,606
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 48%	Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	4	4

Prepress operator vs electronic prepress operator salary

Prepress operators and electronic prepress operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Prepress Operator	Electronic Prepress Operator
Average salary	$41,006	$51,509
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $57,000	Between $37,000 And $71,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between prepress operator and electronic prepress operator education

There are a few differences between a prepress operator and an electronic prepress operator in terms of educational background:

	Prepress Operator	Electronic Prepress Operator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 48%	Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Most common major	Graphic Design	Graphic Design
Most common college	University of Texas at Austin	Stanford University

Prepress operator vs electronic prepress operator demographics

Here are the differences between prepress operators' and electronic prepress operators' demographics:

	Prepress Operator	Electronic Prepress Operator
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 66.9% Female, 33.1%	Male, 65.7% Female, 34.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 3.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.6% Asian, 8.4% White, 60.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 7.7% Unknown, 3.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 9.0% White, 60.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	13%	13%

Differences between prepress operator and electronic prepress operator duties and responsibilities

Prepress operator example responsibilities.

Make PDF files manages fonts, scans using flat bed scanners and download PDF files and import them into page layout.
Perform G7 color certification Epson inkjet proofing systems.
Provide customers with troubleshooting assistance and procedures on postscript, imposition, trapping, color management and PDF issues.
Work in Macintosh and PC environment.
Output printing plates using Creo Trendsetter.
Work perform on Macintosh and PC computers.

Electronic prepress operator example responsibilities.

Ensure ISO certification are achieved on an annual basis.
File preparation for PDF driven workflow.
Involve in daily schedule planning with pressroom and sales.
Prepare customer files for printing by trapping and outputting to film and PDF.
Work closely with the pressroom and shipping to guarantee jobs meet critical deadlines.
Work with planners, scheduling, estimating, ISO coordinator and the maintenance department.

Prepress operator vs electronic prepress operator skills

Common prepress operator skills

Mac, 8%
Graphic Design, 8%
Adobe Creative Suite, 7%
PC, 6%
BARS, 6%
Desktop, 5%

Common electronic prepress operator skills

Computer Software, 15%
Electronic Prepress, 10%
Adobe Photoshop, 8%
Color Correction, 8%
Platemaking, 7%
PC, 7%

Prepress Operator vs. similar jobs

Prepress Operator related careers

Prepress Operator related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Production and Manufacturing Industry
Prepress Operator
Prepress Operator vs Electronic Prepress Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse production and manufacturing jobs