Desktop Publishers

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

Industry: Office and Administrative Support

Other Job Titles for Desktop Publishers:

• Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
• Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
• Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
• Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
• First Interest High-Point: Primary-Rank Descriptiveness
• Second Interest High-Point: Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
• Third Interest High-Point: Tertiary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• Check preliminary and final proofs for errors and make necessary corrections.
• Operate desktop publishing software and equipment to design, lay out, and produce camera-ready copy.
• 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.
• Store copies of publications on paper, magnetic tape, film or diskette.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Prepare sample layouts for approval, using computer software.
• Study layout or other design instructions to determine work to be done and sequence of operations.
• Load floppy disks or tapes containing information into system.
• Convert various types of files for printing or for the Internet, using computer software.
• Enter data, such as coordinates of images and color specifications, into system to retouch and make color corrections.
• Select number of colors and determine color separations.
• Transmit, deliver or mail publication master to printer for production into film and plates.
• Collaborate with graphic artists, editors and writers to produce master copies according to design specifications.
• Create special effects such as vignettes, mosaics, and image combining, and add elements such as sound and animation to electronic publications.
• Conduct roll calls and poll jurors.
• Open courts, calling them to order and announcing judges.
• Meet with judges, lawyers, parole officers, police, and social agency officials to coordinate the functions of the court.
• Maintain a supply of packing materials.
• Assemble containers and crates used to transport items such as machines or vehicles.
• Obtain flight numbers, airplane numbers, and names of crew members from dispatchers, and record data on airplane flight papers.
• Send samples of merchandise to quality control units for inspection.
• Maintain inventory records.
• Perform personal bookkeeping services.
• Compute deductions for income and social security taxes.
• Prepare purchase orders and expense reports.

Emerging Tasks

• Confer with customers by telephone or in person to provide information about products and services, to take/enter orders or cancel accounts, or to obtain details of complaints.
• Prepare staff schedules and daily dockets and calendars of cases to be called, using typewriters or computers.

• Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Performing General Physical Activities: Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Provide Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Staffing Organizational Units: Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

• achieve special camera effects
• create art from ideas
• design advertising layouts
• develop new office forms
• develop tables depicting data
• distinguish details in graphic arts material
• identify color or balance
• inspect manufactured products or materials
• load tapes, disks or paper into computers or peripherals
• operate cameras
• operate scanner
• paste up materials to be printed
• prepare artwork for camera or press
• proofread printed or written material
• read technical drawings
• read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
• select materials or tools
• set page layout or composition
• use computer graphics design software
• use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
• use desktop publishing software
• use graphic arts techniques
• use knowledge of paper characteristics in publishing or printing processes
• use word processing or desktop publishing software
• write business correspondence
• use oral or written communication techniques
• use telephone communication techniques
• verify bank or financial transactions
• write business correspondence
• sort books, publications, or other items
• take messages
• use accounting or bookkeeping software
• use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
• use spreadsheet software
• use word processing or desktop publishing software

Overall 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.

Job 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.

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.

Examples
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include funeral directors, electricians, forest and conservation technicians, legal secretaries, interviewers, and insurance sales agents.

• Average hourly wage (2007) -$17.07
• Average annual wage (2007) - $35,510.00

• Projected growth (2006-2016): 0.96%
• Projected need (2006-2016): 304
• Employment (2006): 31,833

• Computer Operators
• Film and Video Editors
• Prepress Technicians and Workers
• Printing Machine Operators
• Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan
• License Clerks
• Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks
• Retail Salespersons
• Telephone Operators