Post job

What is a printing plate maker and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
ScorePrinting Plate MakerUS Average
Salary
3.3

Avg. Salary $42,011

Avg. Salary $59,228

Diversity
3.9
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.50%

Asian 6.82%

Black or African American 8.75%

Hispanic or Latino 22.22%

Unknown 3.44%

White 58.28%

Gender

female 17.31%

male 82.69%

Age - 50
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 50
Stress level
7.6

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.4

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
5.3

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a printing plate maker

  1. Explore printing plate maker education requirements

    Most common printing plate maker degrees

    Associate

    41.2 %

    High School Diploma

    23.5 %

    Bachelor's

    23.5 %
  2. Start to develop specific printing plate maker skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Offset Printing51.36%
    RAN48.64%
  3. Complete relevant printing plate maker training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New printing plate makers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a printing plate maker based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real printing plate maker resumes.
  4. Research printing plate maker duties and responsibilities

    • Maintain professional correspondence with pressroom and with prepress department.
    • Load printing cylinders in the press, get job on color in press, run for quality and production.
  5. Prepare your printing plate maker resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your printing plate maker resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a printing plate maker resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable printing plate maker resume templates

    Build a professional printing plate maker resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your printing plate maker resume.
    Printing Plate Maker Resume
    Printing Plate Maker Resume
    Printing Plate Maker Resume
    Printing Plate Maker Resume
    Printing Plate Maker Resume
    Printing Plate Maker Resume
    Printing Plate Maker Resume
    Printing Plate Maker Resume
    Printing Plate Maker Resume
  6. Apply for printing plate maker jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a printing plate maker job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first printing plate maker job

Zippi

Are you a printing plate maker?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average printing plate maker salary

The average printing plate maker salary in the United States is $42,011 per year or $20 per hour. Printing plate maker salaries range between $22,000 and $78,000 per year.

Average printing plate maker salary
$42,011 Yearly
$20.20 hourly

What am I worth?

salary-calculator

How do printing plate makers rate their job?

Working as a printing plate maker? Share your experience anonymously.
Overall rating*
Career growth
Work/Life balance
Pay/Salary

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse production and manufacturing jobs