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Desktop publishing operators

OaSIS code 14112.01

Desktop publishing operators operate desktop publishing software and equipment to design, lay out and produce copy ready to be print.

Overview

Also known as

  • Desktop compositor
  • Desktop publishing (DTP) operator
  • Photocompositor

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Operate desktop publishing software and equipment to design, lay out and produce camera-ready copy and may perform pre-flight operator duties
  • Mark copy with computer codes and typographic instructions before it is typeset.

Additional information

  • Progression to supervisory positions is possible through experience.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Graphic designers and illustrators (52120)
  • Camera, platemaking and other prepress occupations (94151)
  • Desktop publishing operators supervisor (in 12010.00 Supervisors, general office and administrative support workers)
  • Graphic arts copy stylist; Paste-up artist (in 52111.00 Graphic arts technicians)
  • Proofreaders and editorial assistants (14301.03)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

1 – Business, finance and administration occupations

TEER

4 – Occupations usually require a secondary school diploma; or several weeks of on-the-job training

Major group

14 – Administrative and financial support and supply chain logistics occupations

Sub-major group

141 – Office, court, and data support occupations

Minor group

1411 – Survey, statistical and data entry occupations

Unit group

14112 – Desktop publishing operators and related occupations

Occupational profile

14112.01 – Desktop publishing operators

Work characteristics

Work characteristics gathers the various components describing the work environment of each occupation, such as employers, work activities, and the work context. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of complexity (for Work Activities) or other measurement dimensions (for Work Context), and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Work Activities

Proficiency or complexity level
Interacting with Computers
4 - High Level
Applying New Knowledge
3 - Moderate Level
Communicating with Coworkers
3 - Moderate Level
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization
3 - Moderate Level
Developing Technical Instructions
3 - Moderate Level

Work Context

Structural Job Characteristics

Structured versus Unstructured Work
Degree of freedom to determine tasks and priorities
3 - Moderate amount of freedom
Work Week Duration
Worked hours in a typical week
2 - Between 35 to 40 hours

Physical Work Environment

Physical Proximity
Physical distance from others
3 - Somewhat close (e.g. share office)

Physical Demands

Sitting
Duration
4 - More than half the time
Standing
Duration
2 - Less than half the time
Bending or Twisting the Body
Duration
1 - Very little time

Interpersonal Relations

Contact with Others
Frequency
3 - Once a week or more but not every day
Duration
3 - About half the time
Work with Work Group or Team
Importance
4 - Highly important
Frequency
3 - Once a week or more but not every day

Workplaces/employers

  • Commercial printing companies
  • Firms that specialize in typesetting
  • In-house printing departments of private and public sector establishments
  • Publishing and printing companies

Skills and abilities

This section displays the various competencies required for an occupation. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency (for Skills and Abilities) or importance (for Personal Attributes) and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Abilities

Proficiency or complexity level
Colour Perception
5 - Highest Level
Near Vision
4 - High Level
Pattern Identification
4 - High Level
Perceptual Speed
4 - High Level
Arm-Hand Steadiness
3 - Moderate Level

Skills

Proficiency or complexity level
Coordinating
3 - Moderate Level
Critical Thinking
3 - Moderate Level
Learning and Teaching Strategies
3 - Moderate Level
Oral Communication: Active Listening
3 - Moderate Level
Oral Communication: Oral Comprehension
3 - Moderate Level

Personal Attributes

Importance
Adaptability
4 - Highly important
Attention to Detail
4 - Highly important
Collaboration
4 - Highly important
Creativity
4 - Highly important
Independence
4 - Highly important

Interests

The OaSIS uses the Holland Codes to describe the work-related interests. According to the Holland model, people work best in work environments that match their preferences, which means that people and work environments can be matched for a best fit. Occupational environments in Holland’s theory are described according to a combination of main interests and the activities they represent. There are six interests in the Holland typology: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising and Conventional. All occupations in OaSIS have up to three interests assigned to them.

Interests

Preferences for work environments and outcomes.

Interests profile: AIC

Artistic (A)

Artistic occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail artistic expression to create, compose or produce visual, performing, literary or applied art. These occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns and often require self-expression and the accomplishment of work without following a clear set of rules.

Investigative (I)

Investigative occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail the observation and systematic or creative investigation of physical, biological, or cultural phenomena. These occupations require an extensive amount of thinking and frequently involve working with ideas, searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Conventional (C)

Conventional occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail following sets of procedures and routines. These activities may include systematic manipulation of data, such as keeping records, filing materials, reproducing materials, organizing written and numerical data according to a prescribed plan, and operating business and data processing. They often require following a clear line of authority and usually involve working with data and details more than with ideas.

Employment requirements

Employment requirements includes the education, training, certifications and the knowledge required to work in each occupation. The Knowledge category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency, and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of Knowledge descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Education, certification and licensing

  • Completion of secondary school is required.
  • Completion of a college program in graphic arts, or other training in typography, computer typesetting or desktop publishing, is usually required.

Knowledge

Knowledge level
Clerical
2 - Intermediate Level
Languages
1 - Basic Level
Mathematics
1 - Basic Level
Technical Design
1 - Basic Level
Accounting
0 – Not applicable

Skills for success

 
Skills for Success Model
 
Skills for Success are skills that help you in a quickly changing world. Everyone benefits from having these skills. They can help you to get a job, progress at your current job or even change jobs. The skills also help you become an active member of your community and succeed in learning.
 
 
Linkages Between ESDC Skills Models and Frameworks
 
ESDC makes available a dictionary of over 300 terms (or descriptors) and definitions, known as the Skills and Competencies Taxonomy (SCT). Descriptor information from the Taxonomy is used in the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS).
 
While there is general commonality of meaning between the descriptors in the SCT and the Skills for Success model, there are some differences in their definitions due to their distinct purposes. The Skills for Success Model [9 broadly defined skills] identifies the skills that are universally applicable. The SCT displays specific skills and competency requirements for 900 occupations. Users of the Skills for Success Model and Essential Skills content may find competency information from the Taxonomy and the OaSIS to be complementary.
 
Stay tuned to this section for more information and updates regarding linkages between the Skills for Success model and the OaSIS.

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

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