Pre-Press Technician Level 3 Apprenticeship

What you will study

• Creation of an output image carrier ready for onward production, i.e. a
  print-ready electronic file; plate or cylinder.
  
• Production of plates, cylinders, screens and/or electronic file to the
  required production standard.
  
• Recognise the different company equipment and its associated needs in
  printing and finishing processes, so pre-press can support the other
  departments in meeting customer specifications effectively e.g. setting colour
  profiles accurately so the print technicians can set up their machines more
  effectively.
  
• Application of Colour Theory in the various industry processes and quality
  assurance.
  
• Receipt, checking, and processing of digital files such as print-ready
  PDFs, database and colour/ink profile files.
  
• Completes relevant paperwork for specified job/department for
  communication and to demonstrate accountability.
  
• Design and production of creative digital artwork appropriate for print
  production. Planning and production of edited images ready for various
  software such as Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, QuarkXPress etc.
  
• How to check digital files and solve issues with software and workflow
  management.
  
• Creation of imposition schemes and job layouts.

• Demonstrate proficiency in a range of pre-press, design, workflow management such as ‘Adobe Creative Suite’.
• Convert customer files to print-ready files using various software and workflow packages.
• Send, receive and process digital files in the workflow, or e.g. using Adobe Creative Suite. Discuss job/design brief matters with the customer and provide advice on print-related issues where necessary.

Observation at work

Online exam at a GQA centre

Professional discussion at work