Creativepool uses cookies.

We will assume that, by using the website, you

agree to this. Click for more information or hide this message.
People
Companies
Jobs
Pools
Magazine
Login
Sign up

Advice
Go

News
Inspiration
Features
Advice
Events
Articles

Job Description: DTP

Operator.
Published 10/12/2012

Printed materials, such as books, newspapers, magazines,

brochures and advertising, need to be well designed and laid
out to make them attractive and easy to read. DTP (desktop
publishing) operators use DTP software and photo-imaging
software to put together text and illustrations and present them
in a form suitable for printing and publishing.

Job Description, salaries and

benfits
DTP (desktop publishing) operators use specialist computer
software to make sure that printed materials (such as books,
newspapers, magazines and brochures) are well designed,
attractive and easy to read.
The work may involve:
working to a design brief from the client or
designer
using DTP software to produce a layout for
each page of the publication
selecting formatting, such as the size and
style of type, column width and spacing
selecting and checking colours
scanning and editing photographs and
other images.
DTP operators usually work 39 hours a week, Monday to Friday,
although additional hours may be necessary to meet deadlines.
Most DTP operators are based in clean, well-lit offices or
studios. They spend most of their time sitting in front of a
computer screen.
Salaries may range from around 14,000 to over 30,000 a
year.
A DTP operator should:

 have excellent computer skills and

knowledge
be creative, with an eye for good design
be able to prioritise a varied workload
work well under pressure and to strict
deadlines
enjoy doing artistic work.
Employers of DTP operators include publishing, graphic design,
advertising, printing and reprographics companies. Some DTP
operators are self-employed. Although employment
opportunities are increasing, the job market is still very
competitive.
Most employers look for candidates with GCSEs/S grades (AC/1-3) in maths, ICT and English as a minimum. In practice,
however, it is unlikely that an employer will take on someone
straight from school, and higher-level qualifications may be
required. These include BTEC national certificates, HNCs/HNDs,
Foundation degrees and degrees in subjects such as computing,
graphics or graphic design.
Training is usually provided by employers in-house, possibly in
combination with short college-based courses. New software
packages and design trends are introduced regularly so DTP
operators must keep their skills and knowledge up to date
through regular training courses.
Experienced DTP operators working for large organisations may
be promoted to more senior positions such as shift leader or
supervisor. Promotion prospects may be limited in smaller

organisations. With further training they may move into graphic

design or website design. Experienced DTP operators may
become self-employed.

What is the work like?

DTP operators may work on electronic as well as printed
publications.
Depending on the employer, the client and the job in hand, the
work may involve:
working to a design brief from the client or
designer
using DTP software to produce a layout for
each page of the publication
selecting formatting, such as the size and

style of type, column width and spacing

selecting and checking colours
scanning and editing photographs and
other images
producing graphics such as diagrams,
charts and tables
re-sizing design elements to fit the page
making sure images are positioned near
the relevant portion of text

 making sure that each page, and the

document as a whole, is uncluttered and
well balanced
using electronic publishing technologies,
such as Hypertext Markup Language
(HTML) to convert documents to an
internet-ready format.
DTP operators often have to work to tight deadlines. They may
work as part of a team, possibly with other DTP operators and
designers, or as part of a marketing department.
Starting salaries may be around 14,000 a year.

Hours and environment

DTP operators usually work 39 hours a week, Monday to Friday,
although additional hours may be necessary to meet deadlines.
Shift work may be required in some jobs. There may be
opportunities for part-time work.
Most DTP operators are based in clean, well-lit offices or
studios. Some operators may work from home. They spend
most of their time sitting in front of a computer screen.

Salary and other benefits

These figures are only a guide, as actual rates of pay may vary,
depending on the employer and where people live.
DTP operators may start on about 14,000
a year.
With experience, they may earn between
18,000 and 25,000.
Some very skilled operators may earn over
30,000.

Skills and personal qualities

A DTP operator should:
have excellent computer skills and
knowledge
be creative, with an eye for good design
be able to prioritise a varied workload
work well under pressure and to strict
deadlines
be flexible and able to adapt quickly to
new creative briefs
work methodically and pay attention to
detail
be able to work independently as well as in
a team

 be able to follow a design brief closely and

accurately.

Interests
It is important to:
enjoy doing artistic work
be interested in keeping up to date with
new computer software and technology.

Getting in
Employers of DTP operators include publishing, graphic design,
advertising, printing and reprographics companies. Some DTP
operators are self-employed.
Most of the opportunities are concentrated in London and other
major cities and towns. Although employment opportunities are
increasing, the job market is still very competitive.
Vacancies may be advertised in Jobcentre Plus offices and
Connexions centres, in local and national newspapers, and in
specialist publications such as Campaign, Creative
Review, Design and Design Week.
Entry for young people

Most employers look for candidates with GCSEs/S grades (AC/1-3) in maths, ICT and English as a minimum. In practice,
however, it is unlikely that an employer will take on someone
straight from school, and higher-level qualifications may be
required. It is possible to study towards BTEC national
certificates, HNCs/HNDs, Foundation degrees and degrees in
subjects such as computing, graphics and graphic design.
Many employers prefer candidates who can demonstrate
experience of using a range of DTP and photo-imaging software
packages, and who are familiar with HTML.
Qualifications specifically related to DTP include ABC Level 3
Awards in Desktop Publishing Skills and City & Guilds Desktop
Publishing at Levels 1, 2 and 3. Many courses in computing,
graphic design and business administration also include
modules in DTP.
It may be possible to enter this career through an
Apprenticeship. Apprenticeships which may be available in
England are Young Apprenticeships, Pre-Apprenticeships,
Apprenticeships and Advanced Apprenticeships. To find out
which one is most appropriate log
onto www.apprenticeships.org.uk or contact your local
Connexions Partnership.
It is important to bear in mind that pay rates for
Apprenticeships do vary from area to area and between
industry sectors.
There are different arrangements for Apprenticeships in
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. For further information

contact Careers Scotland, Careers Wales; and for Northern

Ireland contact COIU.
Entry for adults
Mature applicants are welcome, especially if they have
experience in IT or design. Some employers may expect to see
a portfolio of work demonstrating relevant skills and
experience.

Training
Training is usually provided by employers in-house, possibly in
combination with short college-based courses.
This is a rapidly changing field with new software packages and
design trends being introduced all the time, so it is very
important for DTP operators to keep their skills and knowledge
up to date through regular training courses. Freelance DTP
operators must fund their own training and development.

Getting on
Experienced DTP operators working for large organisations may
be promoted to more senior positions such as shift leader or
supervisor. Promotion prospects may be limited in smaller

organisations, and it may be necessary to change employers to

progress.
With additional training, DTP operators may move into graphic
design or website design.
It is also possible for experienced DTP operators to become selfemployed.

Further information
British Computer Society (BCS), 1st
Floor, Block D, North Star House, North
Star Avenue, Swindon SN2 1FA. 01793
417417.
British Interactive Media
Association (BIMA), Briarlea House,
Southend Road, Billericay CM11 2PR.
01277 658107.
e-skills UK, 1 Castle Lane, London SW1E
6DR. 020 7963 8920.
Institute for the Management of
Information Systems (IMIS), 5 Kingfisher
House, New Mill Road, Orpington, Kent BR5
3QG. 0700 002 3456 (premium rate
number).

Further reading
YourCreativeFuture

Magazines/journals

authoring
benefits
career
computing
desktop publishing
digital
dtp operator
editing
job description
language
online
personal qualities
salary details
skills
writing
DTP Operator
Desktop Publishing
Job Description
Salary Details
Skills
Benefits
Skills
Personal Qualities

Campaign
Creative Review
Design Week
Graphics International

Likeit

Comments
Post a comment

More Job Descriptions

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Description: Exhibition Designer

Exhibition designers are responsible for the design and layout of shows
and exhibitions. View People View Companies View Jobs Job Description,
Salaries and Benefits Exhibition designers are responsible for the design
and layout of shows and...

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Description: Graphic Designer

Graphic designers work to bring many kinds of communication alive. They
produce designs that get their clients' messages across with high visual
impact. The role demands a keen business sense as well as creative flair.
View People View Companies...

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Description: Fashion Designer

Fashion/clothing designers design clothes, accessories and shoes. Some
design expensive one-off pieces. Others work in a team creating a whole

range of mass-produced fashions, or specialise in particular areas such as

sportswear. View People View...

SHOW FOOTER

LOG IN
CREATE ACCOUNT

Blog

Forum
Group Testing
Personality Types
Personality Tests

DESKTOP PUBLISHER
Job Duties
Desktop publishers typically do the following:
Gather existing materials or work with designers and writers to create new artwork or text
Find and edit graphics, such as photographs or illustrations

 Use scanners to turn drawings and other materials into digital images
Import text and graphics into desktop publishing software programs
Position artwork and text on the page layout
Select formatting properties, such as text size, column width, and spacing
Check proofs, or preliminary layouts, for errors and make corrections
Convert files for printing or websites
Send final files to a commercial printer or print the documents on a high-resolution printer

Career Overview
Desktop publishers use computer software to design page layouts for newspapers, books,
brochures, and other items that are printed or put online. They collect the text, graphics, and
other materials they will need and format them into a finished product.

DUTIES
Desktop publishers typically do the following:

Gather existing materials or work with designers and writers to create new artwork or
text

Find and edit graphics, such as photographs or illustrations

Use scanners to turn drawings and other materials into digital images

Import text and graphics into desktop publishing software programs

Position artwork and text on the page layout

Select formatting properties, such as text size, column width, and spacing

Check proofs, or preliminary layouts, for errors and make corrections

Finalize formatted documents for printing or electronic publication

Send final files to a commercial printer or print the documents on a high-resolution

printer
Desktop publishers use publishing software to create page layouts for print or electronic
publication. In addition to designing pages, desktop publishers may edit or write text. Some

desktop publishers might be responsible for correcting spelling, punctuation, and grammar or
for writing original content themselves.
Desktop publishers responsibilities may vary widely from project to project and employer to
employer. Smaller firms typically use desktop publishers to perform a wide range of tasks, while
desktop publishers at larger firms may specialize in one part of the publishing process.
Desktop publishers work with other design and media professionals, such as writers, editors,
and graphic designers. For example, they work with graphic designers to come up with images
that complement the text and fit the available space.

Work Environment
Desktop publishers held about 16,400 jobs in 2012. About one-third of them worked in
publishing industries. Most of the rest worked for companies in other industries that produce
their own printed materials, including advertising and public relations industries which are
included in professional, scientific, and technical services.
The industries that employed the most desktop publishers in 2012 were as follows:
Newspaper, periodical, book, and
directory publishers
Printing and related support activities
Professional, scientific, and technical services
Administrative and support services

WORK SCHEDULES
Many desktop publishers work full time. They may need to work long hours to meet publication
deadlines.

Education and Training

Desktop publishers have a variety of educational backgrounds, but most have earned some form
of postsecondary degree or award, such as an associates degree.

EDUCATION
Desktop publishers have various educational backgrounds, but postsecondary education, such
as an associates degree, is typical. Workers usually learn some of their skills on the job.
Computer skills, including knowledge of desktop publishing software, are important.
Although many desktop publishers have earned associates degrees, others have earned
postsecondary nondegree awards. These usually take less than 2 years to complete, or they
sometimes earn bachelors degrees. Experience in a related field can sometimes substitute for
education.
Those who earn degrees usually study fields such as graphic design, graphic arts, or graphic
communications. Community colleges and trade and technical schools also may offer desktop
publishing courses. These classes teach students about desktop publishing software used to
format pages and how to import text and graphics into electronic page layouts.

TRAINING
Desktop publishers learn some of their skills on the job. They learn by observing more
experienced workers or by taking classes that teach them how to use desktop publishing
software. Ongoing training is often necessary, as technologies and desktop publishing software
change.

IMPORTANT QUALITIES
Artistic ability. Desktop publishers must have a good eye for how graphics and text will look
to create pages that are visually appealing, legible, and easy to read.
Communication skills. Desktop publishers talk through different concepts for a page layout
with writers, editors, and graphic designers. They listen to ideas and explain their own.
Computer skills. Many desktop publishers use computer software exclusively when creating
page layouts and formatting text and graphics.

Detail oriented. When designing and reviewing page layouts, desktop publishers must pay
careful attention to details such as margins, font sizes, and the overall appearance and accuracy
of their work.
Organizational skills. Desktop publishers often work under strict deadlines and must be
good at scheduling and prioritizing tasks in order to have a document ready on time for
publication.

WORK EXPERIENCE IN A RELATED OCCUPATION

Many employers prefer to hire workers who have experience in preparing layouts. This
experience can sometimes substitute for formal education, such as a degree in graphic design.

Pay
The median annual wage for desktop publishers was $37,040 in May 2012. The median wage is
the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half
earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $19,740, and the top 10 percent earned more
than $60,470.
Many desktop publishers work full time. They may need to work long hours to meet publication
deadlines.

Job Outlook
Employment of desktop publishers is projected to decline 5 percent from 2012 to 2022.
Companies are expected to hire fewer desktop publishers, as other types of workerssuch as
graphic designers, web designers, and copy editorsincreasingly take on desktop publishing
tasks.
Desktop publishing is commonly used to design printed materials, such as advertisements,
brochures, newsletters, and forms. However, increased computer-processing capacity and the
widespread availability of more elaborate desktop publishing software make it easier and more
affordable for nonprinting professionals to create their own materials. As a result, there will be
less need for people to specialize in desktop publishing.

Some of the tasks that desktop publishers do, such as creating initial page layouts or converting
pages to PDF files, can now be automated, further reducing employment.
Overall declines in the printing and publishing industriesthose most likely to employ desktop
publisherswill also restrict growth. As organizations increasingly publish their materials
electronically instead of in print to save on printing and distribution costs, employment of
desktop publishers may decline further.

JOB PROSPECTS
Prospects will be better for those with a degree in graphic design or a related field, or for those
with experience in desktop publishing. Electronic and web-publishing expertise are increasingly
in demand. Workers with a diverse range of skills, such as graphic design, web design, writing,
and editing may have better prospects.

For More Information

For more information about the printing industry, visit
Printing Industries of America
Society for Technical Communication

Similar Jobs
Editor
Film and Video Editor or Camera Operator
Graphic Designer
Multimedia Artist or Animator
Technical Writer
Computer Network Architect

IS THIS CAREER THE RIGHT ONE

FOR YOU?
Are you a Builder, a Thinker, a Creator, a Helper? Take the Career Surveyor test online and
discover which careers are right for you!

TAKE THE TEST!

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, 20142015 Occupational Outlook
Handbook, http://www.bls.gov/ooh

SEARCH

ABOUT US

FAQ

CONTACT US

PRIVACY POLICY

AFFILIATE PROGRAM

CAREER TESTING FOR NONPROFITS

WRITE FOR TRUITY

2012-2016 by Truity Psychometrics LLC. We've worked hard to create unique content, so please don't
copy it! For more info about using our content, please view our FAQ.
Please note that links to products in the Amazon store are affiliate links. The authors of this site receive a
commission when products are purchased through these links. That said, we never recommend anything
we don't believe in.

Contact us!^
1

2
Shares

Get the personality type newsletter!

Get notified of new quizzes, blogs, and resources on all things
personality!
Subscribe Now