Best institutions to study Platemaker/Imager
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to prepare film, digital data, and surfaces to reproduce printed or graphic images.
2 U.S. institutions graduated 7 Platemaker/Imager students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 10.0306, a specialization of Graphic Communications (CIP 10.03), and leads most directly to the Prepress Technicians and Workers occupation (BLS SOC 51-5111).
About Platemaker/Imager programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to prepare film, digital data, and surfaces to reproduce printed or graphic images. Includes instruction in platemaking, stripping, camerawork, imposition, digital imaging, computer direct-to-plate and direct-to-press, and related processes.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Platemaker/Imager program, part of the Graphic Communications field, prepares individuals to apply technical skills in the reproduction of printed or graphic images. Students learn to work with film, digital data, and various surfaces to create high-quality prints, making this program ideal for those interested in the technical side of graphic production. This program is designed for students who are detail-oriented and enjoy working with technology. With a focus on practical skills, graduates will be equipped to handle tasks such as platemaking, digital imaging, and quality control, making them valuable assets in the graphic communications industry.
Core coursework includes instruction in platemaking, digital imaging, and quality control processes. Students develop skills in critical thinking, computer usage, and design, ensuring they are well-prepared for the technical challenges in the field of graphic communications.
Credentials awarded
What Platemaker/Imager graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years4 graduates / yr · 2 institutions57%
- Associate's degree3 graduates / yr · 1 institution43%
Graduates over time
Platemaker/Imager completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 17 |
| 2013 | 12 |
| 2014 | 18 |
| 2015 | 14 |
| 2016 | 11 |
| 2017 | 8 |
| 2018 | 13 |
| 2019 | 23 |
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 14 |
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 7 |
Top 2 institutions for Platemaker/Imager, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas Helena, ARPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 6 | 55% | — |
| 2 | City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy - King College Chicago, ILPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 1 | 31% | — |
Offered in 2 states
Where Platemaker/Imager graduates come from. Each state links to all Graphic Communications programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | 1 | 6 | Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas6 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 1 | City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy - King College1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 51-5111, Prepress Technicians and Workers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Platemaker/Imager program typically pursue careers as Prepress Technicians and Workers. The job outlook indicates a decline of 14.6%, with approximately 2,800 annual openings. The median wage for this occupation is $47,300, and a postsecondary nondegree award is often the typical education required.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 10.0306
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Prepress Technicians and Workersprimary SOC 51-5111 | $48,690 | -14.6% Decline | ~2,800 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- 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.
- 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. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Platemaker/Imager programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Generate prepress proofs in digital or other format to approximate the appearance of the final printed piece.
- Proofread and perform quality control of text and images.
- Enter, position, and alter text size, using computers, to make up and arrange pages so that printed materials can be produced.
- Perform "preflight" check of required font, graphic, text and image files to ensure completeness prior to delivery to printer.
- Operate and maintain laser plate-making equipment that converts electronic data to plates without the use of film.
- Enter, store, and retrieve information on computer-aided equipment.
Tools and technology used
Other Graphic Communications specializations
The 8 other 6-digit CIP codes under Graphic Communications (CIP 10.03).
- Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special EffectsCIP 10.03046,849 graduates / yr250 institutions
- Prepress/CIP 10.0303
Desktop Publishing and Digital Imaging Design 1,335 graduates / yr83 institutions - Graphic CommunicationsCIP 10.0301455 graduates / yr29 institutions
- Graphic and Printing Equipment OperatorCIP 10.0305252 graduates / yr19 institutions
- Graphic CommunicationsCIP 10.0399170 graduates / yr10 institutions
- Printing ManagementCIP 10.0302partial data56 graduates / yr3 institutions
- Printing Press OperatorCIP 10.0307limited data9 graduates / yr2 institutions
- Computer Typography and Composition Equipment OperatorCIP 10.0308limited data7 graduates / yr1 institutions
Common questions
What kind of degree can I earn?+
You can earn an Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years or an Associate's degree.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, computer usage, and quality control.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 14.6%, with about 2,800 annual openings.
What is the median wage for this career?+
The median wage for Prepress Technicians and Workers is $47,300.
What is the CIP code for Platemaker/Imager?+
Platemaker/Imager is CIP 10.0306 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Graphic Communications (CIP 10.03). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to prepare film, digital data, and surfaces to reproduce printed or graphic images. Includes instruction in platemaking, stripping, camerawork, imposition, digital imaging, computer direct-to-plate and direct-to-press, and related processes.
How many institutions offer Platemaker/Imager programs?+
2 U.S. institutions reported Platemaker/Imager graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 2 states, awarding 7 credentials in the year. That is 0.1% of all Graphic Communications graduates.
How much do Platemaker/Imager graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Prepress Technicians and Workers occupation, which Platemaker/Imager most directly leads to, pays a median of $48,690 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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