National
| Median wages (2008) |
$17.59 hourly, $36,600 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
32,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Little or no change (-2% to 2%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
7,000 additional employees |
43-9031.00 - Desktop Publishers
Format typescript and graphic elements using computer software to produce publication-ready material.
Sample of reported job titles:
Computer Typesetter, Art Director, Electronic Console Display Operator, Graphic Artist, Mac Operator, Production Manager, Desktop Publishing Specialist, Electronic Imager, Advertising Associate, Creative Director
Tasks
- Check preliminary and final proofs for errors and make necessary corrections.
- Operate desktop publishing software and equipment to design, lay out, and produce camera-ready copy.
- Position text and art elements from a variety of databases in a visually appealing way to design print or web pages, using knowledge of type styles and size and layout patterns.
- Convert various types of files for printing or for the Internet, using computer software.
- Transmit, deliver or mail publication master to printer for production into film and plates.
- Study layout or other design instructions to determine work to be done and sequence of operations.
- Enter digitized data into electronic prepress system computer memory, using scanner, camera, keyboard, or mouse.
- View monitors for visual representation of work in progress and for instructions and feedback throughout process, making modifications as necessary.
- Import text and art elements such as electronic clip-art or electronic files from photographs that have been scanned or produced with a digital camera, using computer software.
- Collaborate with graphic artists, editors and writers to produce master copies according to design specifications.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Desktop computers |
| Graphics tablets — Pen tablets |
| Laser printers |
| Notebook computers |
| Scanners |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Data conversion software — AlgoLab Raster to Vector Conversion Toolkit; GTX RastorCAD; Potrace software; Trix TracTrix |
| Desktop publishing software — Adobe Systems Adobe PageMaker; Microsoft Publisher; Passepartout software; Pattern Stream software |
| Graphics or photo imaging software — Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop software; Graphics software; Vector Software; Xara X |
| Optical character reader OCR or scanning software — Corel CorelScan; Corel OCR-Trace 8; Nuance OmniPage Professional; PANTONE ColorVision ProfilerPlus |
| Web page creation and editing software — Actuate DocBook; Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver; Adobe Systems Adobe Flash Player |