Desktop Publishers

What the job really is

Format typescript and graphic elements using computer software to produce publication-ready material.

At a glance

• Sector: Office & Administrative
• O*NET-SOC code: 43-9031
• O*NET job zone: 3 — medium preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• 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.
• Check preliminary and final proofs for errors and make necessary corrections.
• View monitors for visual representation of work in progress and for instructions and feedback throughout process, making modifications as necessary.
• Enter text into computer keyboard and select the size and style of type, column width, and appropriate spacing for printed materials.
• Prepare sample layouts for approval, using computer software.
• 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.
• Study layout or other design instructions to determine work to be done and sequence of operations.
• Select number of colors and determine color separations.
• Convert various types of files for printing or for the Internet, using computer software.
• Enter digitized data into electronic prepress system computer memory, using scanner, camera, keyboard, or mouse.
• Edit graphics and photos, using pixel or bitmap editing, airbrushing, masking, or image retouching.

Tools and technology

Adobe Acrobat, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Creative Cloud software, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Apple macOS, Cascading style sheets CSS, Extensible markup language XML, Hypertext markup language HTML, JavaScript, Microsoft Access

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Prepress Technicians and Workers
• Graphic Designers
• Proofreaders and Copy Markers
• Web and Digital Interface Designers
• Special Effects Artists and Animators
• Film and Video Editors
• Office Machine Operators, Except Computer
• Web Developers

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 3 (medium preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

Browse the verified job sources directory, or explore more occupations.

Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Desktop Publishers — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.