Pre-press technicians: average salary and pay in the UK
Full-time pre-press technicians in the UK earned a median £27,497 in the year to 5 April 2025, according to the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE): 30% less than the £39,039 median for all full-time jobs.
What the figures show
It is in the lowest-paid third of the 382 occupations (55th from the bottom).
Median full-time pay: women £27,669 a year, men £24,521 a year.
Since 2021 it has risen 4.9%, from £26,203, slower than the 25.0% for all jobs.
Pay distribution, 2025 provisional
| Gross pay | Full-time, annual | All, annual |
|---|---|---|
| Median (50th percentile) | £27,497 | £27,496 |
| Mean | £29,080 | £27,076 |
Pay since 2021
| ASHE year | Full-time, annual median | Full-time, weekly median | Full-time, hourly median | All, annual median | All, weekly median |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 revised | £26,203 | £535.90 | £12.42 | £25,620 | £517.70 |
| 2023 revised | £26,464 | £521.50 | £13.95 | – | £494.80 |
| 2024 revised | £26,172 | £498.40 | £13.92 | £26,222 | £495.90 |
| 2025 provisional | £27,497 | – | – | £27,496 | – |
What pre-press technicians do
Pre-press technicians prepare, format and compose text and graphics in a form suitable for use in a variety of print processes. (ONS SOC 2020, 5421)
Also covers: compositor, plate maker, pre-press manager, pre-press technician, type setter, bank-note engraver, block maker, box hand, bronzing metaller, carbon printer, chemical engraver, colour etcher, copper engraver, copper etcher, deep etcher, die engraver, fine etcher and gravure planner (116 titles in the ONS coding index).
- Determines from specification the kind and size of type to be used
- Uses computer applications to generate images and text
- Scans and retouches digital images to create sample proofs, plans and lays out artwork to match planned design
- Examines proof copies, checks for quality and accuracy and makes any necessary alterations
- Processes filmsetting or desktop publishing output to produce image on film and transfers to printing plates and digital output
- Arranges and pastes printing material onto paper ready for photographing
There are no formal academic requirements although some employers may require GCSEs/S grades. Training is typically received on-the-job. Apprenticeships are available as well as BTEC certificates and diplomas and other vocational courses at NVQ/SVQ levels 2 and 3.
Related
Printing trades (median £28,911) · Printers · Print finishing and binding workers · salary percentile · UK real pay growth · Median
ASHE Table 14: 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 · coding index · notes · 15 October 2026