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Career Details : Platemakers

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Description

Produce printing plates by exposing sensitized metal sheets to special light through a photographic negative. May operate machines that process plates automatically.

Experience

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Education

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.

Training

Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.

Tasks

  • Removes plate-film assembly from vacuum frame and places exposed plate in automatic processor to develop image and dry plate.
  • Lowers vacuum frame onto plate-film assembly to establish contact between positive-negative film and plate, and sets timer to expose plate.
  • Examines unexposed photographic plate to detect flaws or foreign particles prior to printing pattern of aperture masks on sensitized steel.
  • Places plate in vacuum frame to align positives or negatives with each other and places masking paper over uncovered areas.
  • Transfers image from master plate to unexposed plate and immerses plate in developing solution to develop image on plate.
  • Mounts negative and plate in camera that exposes exposed plate to artificial light through photographic negative, thus transferring image.
  • Repairs defective plates with missing dots, using photographic touch-up tool and ink.
  • Installs and aligns plates in printing case.
  • Mixes and applies chemical-based developing solution to plates and replenishes solution in processor to maintain it in working order.
  • Punches holes in light-sensitive plate and inserts pins in holes to prepare plate for contact with positive or negative film.
  • Transfers images by hand and covers surface of plates with photosensitive chemical, using brush, and allows plate to dry.
  • Performs tests to determine time required for exposure by exposing plates and compares exposure to scale that measures tone ranges.
  • Examines plate, using light-box and microscope, to detect flaws, verify conformity with master plate, and measure dot size and center.

    Related Careers

    Important Abilities

    General Work Activities

    Important Skills

    Frequent Work Context

    • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
    • Importance of Being Sure All Is Done
    • Using Hands on Objects, Tools, Controls
    • Indoors
    • Consequence of Error

    Related Majors

    Major Add to MyFSA
    Electronic Publishing/Imagingadd Electronic Publishing/Imaging to MyFSA
    Graphic Arts Technologyadd Graphic Arts Technology to MyFSA
    Graphic Communications Managementadd Graphic Communications Management to MyFSA
    Graphic Communications Technologyadd Graphic Communications Technology to MyFSA
    Graphics Technologyadd Graphics Technology to MyFSA
    Printingadd Printing to MyFSA
    Printing Managementadd Printing Management to MyFSA
    Printing Technologyadd Printing Technology to MyFSA
    Printing/Applied Computer Scienceadd Printing/Applied Computer Science to MyFSA
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