- Salary statistics
- Factor, prepress
Factor, prepress
31 800 - 37 800 kr / month
Women earn 85% of what men do.
Industriell tillverkning
Salary progression Factor, prepress
What does a prepress operator do? – Tasks and work environment
A prepress operator works with preparing print originals for various printing processes. Tasks include checking, adjusting, and optimizing digital files, as well as ensuring color management and layout meet client and printer requirements. This role requires accuracy, technical knowledge, and a good understanding of both graphic production and digital workflows. The work environment is often office-based and can be located at larger printers, graphic agencies, or in-house departments at larger companies. It is common to work in teams alongside graphic designers and printers, where a high pace and tight deadlines are typical.
Salary development over time
The profession of prepress operator has experienced relatively stable salary development over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 33,000 SEK per month, rising the following year to 34 800 SEK (2023), which corresponds to an increase of about 5.5%. In 2024, the average salary has stabilized at 34 700 SEK, indicating a slight decrease compared to the previous year. This trend reflects a market where demand for skilled prepress technicians remains good, but digitalization and automation have contributed to salary increases leveling off. Salary trends can also be influenced by industry investments in new technology and the overall economic situation within the graphic industry.
Prepress operator salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 34 700 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 31,800 SEK/month
- Highest salary: 37,800 SEK/month
- Hourly wage (average): 209 SEK
- Women: 31 900 SEK/month
- Men: 37 700 SEK/month
- Gender pay gap: Women earn 85% of what men do
- Regional differences: Data is lacking or limited
Education and qualifications
To work as a prepress operator, a high school education with a focus on graphic design is usually required, but many also have supplementary post-secondary studies in graphic technology, digital image processing, and printing techniques. Practical experience and technical understanding of modern prepress workflows are crucial, as well as knowledge of various software for layout and color management.
- High school education: Graphic technology or media programs, 3 years
- Post-secondary education: YH training in prepress, 1–2 years
- Certifications: Courses in Adobe Creative Suite and color management
- Internships: Common during education
- Prerequisites: Basic technical understanding and computer skills
- Tips for choosing: Select programs with strong industry contacts and internship opportunities
Prepress operators often need to collaborate closely with both creative and technical departments. The ability to quickly switch between detailed quality work and problem-solving under time pressure is therefore highly valued in the industry.
Common benefits and compensation
Common benefits for prepress operators include wellness allowances, flexible working hours, and the possibility of remote work. Other benefits include skills development, subsidized lunches, and collective pension schemes. Some employers also offer bonus or profit-sharing systems depending on company results.
Competition and challenges
The competition for jobs in prepress is moderate but strongly influenced by technological developments within the printing and media industry. Digitalization has led to fewer but more qualified positions, where employers seek broad technical competence and the ability to work with automated workflows. Challenges may also arise from rapid technological shifts and the need for continuous further training. Those who want to establish themselves in the profession need to be prepared to stay updated and adapt to changing working methods.
Tips for those who want to become a prepress operator
To succeed as a prepress operator, it is good to combine technical interest with accuracy and teamwork skills. Developing analytical abilities helps with troubleshooting and quality control, while stress resilience makes it easier to handle intensive production periods. It is recommended to gain experience early through internships or part-time jobs in the industry, as practical understanding of workflows and machinery is highly valuable. Staying updated on new software and printing techniques is also important for long-term development. Good communication skills facilitate collaboration with colleagues and clients, and creative problem-solving is often crucial when challenges arise. Finally, a flexible attitude is valuable, as tasks often vary from day to day.
Key facts about Prepress, factor
- Education level: High school or YH training in graphic technology
- Work environment: Office-based, often in teams and with digital tools
- Job openings: 1,437 in the profession of prepress technicians and printers
- Gender distribution: Significant salary differences between genders
- Technical requirements: High digital competence and familiarity with graphic software
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years as a prepress operator, there are opportunities to advance to roles such as production manager, technical specialist, or project manager within graphic production. Some choose to further their education in digital publishing or color management to broaden their skills. According to the latest forecast from the Employment Service, no precise assessment can be made for the profession due to limited data, but the demand for qualified prepress technicians and printers is expected to remain stable within industrial manufacturing. The shift towards digital workflows means that tasks are evolving, which can create new career paths for those adaptable and willing to continue learning.
Frequently asked questions about Prepress, factor
- What does a prepress operator earn?
- The average salary is 34 700 SEK per month, with variation depending on gender and experience. - How do the salary differences between men and women look?
- Men earn an average of 37 700 SEK while women earn 31 900 SEK, meaning women earn 85% of men's salaries. - What education is required to become a prepress operator?
- High school education in graphic technology or media programs is most common, often supplemented with YH training and certifications. - What career opportunities are available after a few years in the profession?
- It is common to advance to roles such as production manager, technical specialist, or project manager within graphic production. - What is the job market like for prepress operators?
- There are approximately 1,437 job openings in the profession, but no exact forecast due to limited data. - Which personal qualities are important?
- Attention to detail, technical interest, stress resilience, and good teamwork skills are especially important. - Are there regional salary differences?
- Reliable data on regional differences is lacking, but variations may occur depending on location and employer.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55-64 | 35900 kr | 36300 kr | |
| Snitt | 85% | 34400 kr | 34700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 34800 kr | 34800 kr | |
| 35-44 | 35500 kr | 35500 kr | |
| 45-54 | 36200 kr | 36200 kr | |
| 55-64 | 109% | 36100 kr | 36100 kr |
| Snitt | 105% | 35800 kr | 35800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 34800 kr | 34800 kr | |
| 35-44 | 35500 kr | 35500 kr | |
| 45-54 | 36200 kr | 36200 kr | |
| 55-64 | 109% | 36100 kr | 36100 kr |
| Snitt | 105% | 35800 kr | 35800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55-64 | 35900 kr | 36300 kr | |
| Snitt | 84% | 34400 kr | 34700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55-64 | 35900 kr | 36300 kr | |
| Snitt | 84% | 34400 kr | 34700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 85% | 37100 kr | 37700 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45-54 | 35700 kr | 35700 kr | |
| 55-64 | 109% | 34500 kr | 34500 kr |
| Snitt | 105% | 34900 kr | 34900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45-54 | 35700 kr | 35700 kr | |
| 55-64 | 109% | 34500 kr | 34500 kr |
| Snitt | 105% | 34900 kr | 34900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 84% | 37200 kr | 37800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 84% | 37200 kr | 37800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 85% | 31800 kr | 31900 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 34800 kr | 34800 kr | |
| 35-44 | 36500 kr | 36500 kr | |
| 55-64 | 109% | 37700 kr | 37700 kr |
| Snitt | 105% | 36500 kr | 36500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 34800 kr | 34800 kr | |
| 35-44 | 36500 kr | 36500 kr | |
| 55-64 | 109% | 37700 kr | 37700 kr |
| Snitt | 105% | 36500 kr | 36500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 84% | 31700 kr | 31800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 84% | 31700 kr | 31800 kr |
About the data
All information displayed on this page is based on data from the Swedish Central Bureau of Statistics (SCB), the Swedish Tax Agency and the Swedish employment agency. Learn more about our data and data sources here.
All figures are gross salaries, meaning salaries before tax. The average salary, or mean salary, is calculated by adding up the total salary for all individuals within the profession and dividing it by the number of individuals. For specific job categories, we have also considered various criteria such as experience and education.
Profession Factor, prepress has the SSYK code 7321, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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