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O*NET detailed work activityOperate photographic developing or print production equipment
Stays humanHands-on work
8 jobs17 tasks
This is physical, in-person work with real objects, tools, equipment and places that change from day to day. AI can't do it for you.
Part of Operate industrial processing or production equipment, under the O*NET work activity group Controlling Machines and Processes. Individual tasks below can carry a different label when their own wording calls for it (0 AI-ready, 0 AI-assist, 17 stays human).
Tasks built on this activity
- Create prints according to customer specifications and laboratory protocols.
- Generate prepress proofs in digital or other format to approximate the appearance of the final printed piece.
- Set or adjust machine controls, according to specifications, type of operation, or material requirements.
- Perform "preflight" check of required font, graphic, text and image files to ensure completeness prior to delivery to printer.
- Prepare digital files for printing.
- Produce color or black-and-white photographs, negatives, or slides, applying standard photographic reproduction techniques and procedures.
- Reprint originals for enlargement or in sections to be pieced together.
- Operate and maintain laser plate-making equipment that converts electronic data to plates without the use of film.
- Thread filmstrips through densitometers or sensitometers and expose film to light to determine density of film, necessary color corrections, or light sensitivity.
- Produce timed prints with separate densities or color settings for each scene of a production.
- Scale copy for reductions and enlargements, using proportion wheels.
- Develop and print exposed film, using chemicals, touch-up tools, and developing and printing equipment.
Tasks where it is part of the work
- Start presses and pull proofs to check for ink coverage and density, alignment, and registration.
- Photograph or videotape client artwork for inclusion in client records or for promotional purposes.
- Assemble, typeset, scan, and produce digital camera-ready art or film negatives and printer's proofs.
- Operate presses to print proofs of plates, monitoring printing quality to ensure that it is adequate.
- Insert material for printing or addressing into loading racks on machines, select type or die sizes, and position plates, stencils, or tapes in machine magazines.