Career comparison
Graphic Designer vs. Prepress Technician
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Graphic designers earn more at the median ($62,960 vs. $48,690), while prepress technicians usually get to work faster (Certificate program of training). Graphic designers create logos, layouts and visuals that communicate ideas and build brands. Prepress technicians prepare digital files and printing plates so print jobs come out right.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Graphic Designer | Prepress Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $62,960 ($30.27/hr) | $48,690 ($23.41/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $39,520 – $104,910 | $35,810 – $66,080 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -1.7% (a projected decline) | -15.3% (a projected decline) |
| Openings per year | 16,000 | 2,100 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Training time | 4 years or portfolio-based training | Certificate program |
| Key credential | Adobe Certified Professional | Adobe Certified Professional |
| Work setting | Designers work in studios, offices or remotely, at computers for most of the day.. | Technicians work in print shops and in-plant print departments.. |
What each job does
Graphic Designer
- Meet with clients to understand goals
- Develop design concepts
- Design logos, layouts and graphics
- Select typography, color and images
- Prepare files for print and digital
Prepress Technician
- Preflight files
- Fix file problems
- Manage color
- Impose pages
- Make proofs
How they’re similar
Both careers involve creative work, desk work, indoor work, and working independently. They sit in different fields, arts, media & design and mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing, but share transferable skills such as creativity and attention to detail.
Which should you choose?
Choose graphic designer if…
- I love visual design
- I notice fonts and layouts
- I take feedback well
Choose prepress technician if…
- I like design software
- I’m detail-oriented
- I like printing
Still torn? Take the Graphic Designer fit quiz and the Prepress Technician fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, graphic designer or prepress technician?
Graphic Designers earn more at the median: $62,960 versus $48,690 for prepress technicians, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Prepress Technicians typically train faster (Certificate program) than graphic designers (4 years or portfolio-based training).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects graphic designers to grow -1.7% from 2025–35, compared with -15.3% for prepress technicians.