Copper engraving

What does a copperplate engraver do? – Tasks and work environment

A copperplate engraver works with creating detailed patterns, images, or texts on copper plates using engraving techniques. This craft requires great precision, patience, and artistic skill, as each line must be placed accurately for the final result to be as detailed as possible. The work can be performed for artistic purposes or industrial needs, such as security engravings on valuable documents or printing plates for printing houses. The work environment is usually workshop-based and involves many hours in a seated position using fine motor tools, which demands good concentration and physical endurance.

Salary development over time

The salary development for copperplate engravers has been relatively stable over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 33,000 SEK per month, which increased to 34 800 SEK in 2023, corresponding to an increase of about 5.5%. During 2024, the average salary has stabilized and is now at 34 700 SEK, a slight decrease compared to the previous year. This trend can be explained by a relatively small workforce, where retirements and few new recruits influence salary levels, while demand for traditional craftsmanship remains unchanged. The market is characterized by specialized skills and a certain shortage of newly trained workers, which historically has kept wages stable.

Copperplate engraver salary – comprehensive overview

• Average salary: 34 700 SEK/month
• Lowest salary: 31,800 SEK/month
• Highest salary: 37,800 SEK/month
• Hourly wage: 209 SEK
• Gender differences: Men 37 700 SEK, Women 31 900 SEK (Women earn 85% of men's salary)
• Regional differences: No specific statistics available

Education and qualifications

To work as a copperplate engraver, an artistic education focusing on graphic techniques, metalwork, or engraving is often required. Many professionals have completed specialized training at vocational colleges, folk high schools, or art schools, sometimes supplemented with apprenticeships. Formal requirements may vary, but practical experience and a strong portfolio often weigh heavily in hiring decisions.

• Education: Artistic training in graphic techniques, often 2–4 years
• Certifications: Specialized courses in engraving and metalworking are recommended
• Internships: Apprenticeships or workshop internships are common
• Prerequisites: Good skills in image, form, and technique are advantageous
• Self-study: Personal projects and a portfolio are important to demonstrate skill

Common benefits and compensations

In the profession of copperplate engraver, it is common to be offered benefits such as wellness allowances, flexible working hours, and sometimes opportunities for further education. In some cases, employers cover specialized equipment or tools, and larger workshops may offer collective agreement-based compensation for inconvenient working hours.

Competitions and challenges

Copperplate engraving is a niche profession with a limited number of practitioners and relatively low competition for jobs – but the number of available positions is small. Challenges mainly revolve around decreasing demand for traditional engraving due to digitalization and automation of graphic processes. Access to training places and apprenticeships is also limited, which can make it difficult for new talents to establish themselves. Specialist skills and extensive experience are highly valued, and technical ability combined with artistic sensibility is often required to succeed in the field.

Tips for those wanting to become a copperplate engraver

To succeed as a copperplate engraver, it’s good to have a strong interest in both technical and artistic creation. Precision and patience are crucial, as the work demands accuracy in every step – early training in fine motor skills through drawing and modeling is recommended. Creativity is also important, as you often work with unique motifs and need to interpret customer wishes. Building a personal network within the art and craft community can open doors to internships and collaborations, and documenting your work in a portfolio is wise. Finally, perseverance and a willingness to continuously develop your skills are essential, as the profession changes slowly but still requires adaptation to new materials and techniques.

Key facts about Copperplate Engraver

• Education level: Artistic education, often 2–4 years
• Work environment: Workshop-based, often sedentary
• Typical employment: Privately employed
• Occupational group: Prepress technician
• Available jobs in the profession: 1,437

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years in the profession, a copperplate engraver can develop towards more advanced or artistic projects, start their own workshop, or take on a leadership role within larger studios. There are also opportunities for further education in other graphic techniques or specialization in security engraving. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, there is no specific forecast for copperplate engravers, as the profession is part of a broader occupational group. Within this group, 1,437 jobs are reported, indicating some mobility and demand, but these figures also include other professions such as prepress technicians and printers. The future for copperplate engravers largely depends on niche markets and demand for unique craftsmanship skills.

Frequently asked questions about Copperplate Engraver

• What does a copperplate engraver earn?
  - The average salary is 34 700 SEK per month, with an hourly wage of 209 SEK.
• Are there gender differences in salary?
  - Yes, men earn on average 37 700 SEK and women 31 900 SEK, which means women earn 85% of men's salary.
• What education is required to become a copperplate engraver?
  - An artistic education focused on graphic techniques, often 2–4 years, along with internships is recommended.
• What are the future prospects for the profession?
  - There is no exact forecast, but the profession reports 1,437 available jobs.
• What is the highest and lowest salary for a copperplate engraver?
  - The highest salary is 37,800 SEK (male), and the lowest salary is 31,800 SEK (female).
• What occupational health risks are there?
  - Long periods of sitting and repetitive movements can lead to strain injuries.