POSITION SUMMARY:
Under the direction of the Print Shop Manager, the Digital Plate Technician performs skilled technical task requiring specialized computer skills used in graphic production.
DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
Receives wide variety of workflow input in form of electronic files used in the creation of color proofs and computer to plate output;
Must be familiar with the operation and maintenance of computer to plate systems;
Employees in this class perform a series of highly skilled stripping, plate making operations, and Electronic Imposition;
May be required to perform additional task relevant to Printing Services;
Performs negative assembly, stripping of negatives and making of plates for process-color printing and other types of related task;
General supervision is received from the Manager of Printing Services or his designee;
The employee receives work assignments in the form of oral or written work orders from their designated supervisor;
Work assignments are carried out independently in accordance with established methods, techniques, and procedures;
Completed work may be checked for compliance to specifications; and
Troubleshoot client files/file management.
QUALIFICATIONS:The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Strong working knowledge of printing and prepress principals, technologies and workflows;
Must be competent in all prepress and proofing software such as Quark, Adobe, Illustrator, InDesign, Publisher, Adobe Photoshop and insertion of fonts;
Postscript files may be converted to PDF, ripped, trapped, imposed and output to proofs and plates;
Ability to troubleshoot and prepare customer files for postscript and /PDF workflow;
May be required to use negative image makers and strip for tight registration;
Inspects all copy for quality to determine the best methods to be used in producing finished quality desired;
Is responsible for testing and evaluating materials and supplies for possible use within camera, stripping, plate-making and CTP systems;
Performs all operator adjustments and routine preventive maintenance on equipment/software as prescribed and/or needed;
Maintains and catalogs all negative and plate files according to established procedures;
Accurately records all time and materials incident to the various operations performed in the production of each job;
Under supervision, may assist or be trained in the operation of any prepress equipment using negative or Computer to Plate technology; and
Maintains work area to be clean, orderly, and hazard free.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
High School or equivalent, five (5) years of electronic prepress experience with heavy concentration in use and operation of digital output devices to include CTP image setters; experience with use of MAC and PC front ends, Rampage/Preps imposition systems and all related software used in a CTP digital environment.
CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
None Required.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
No direct supervisory responsibilities.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, talk, hear, walk, sit, and use fingers, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material, the ability to adjust focus, and depth perception. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally push or lift up to 25 lbs.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
None.