52111 – Graphic arts technicians

Lead statement

Graphic arts technicians assist in conceptualizing a project, interpreting design specifications or sketches, preparing the page make-up, lay-out and lettering, and preparing production materials for press, electronic or multimedia publishing.

Main duties

• Review the graphic designer's instructions
• Produce or assist in developing and producing design concepts
• Capture elements such as titles, text, drawings, illustrations, graphics, lettering and colour harmonization, using a computer
• Produce computerized images and drawings
• Digitize images using peripherals and transform them using retouching systems, graphic palettes or specialized software
• Perform the layout, page make-up and placement using the conceptual mock-ups provided
• Produce proofs and camera-ready materials and prepare film and any other prepress materials
• Paint or ink individual cells of 2-D or 3-D animated drawings according to animator's specifications using an electronic palette
• Lay out, draw or paint letters, figures, logos and designs for windows, advertisements, billboards, vehicles, books and publications using specialized software or painting equipment
• Work in an interdisciplinary environment.

Employment requirements

• A college diploma in commercial or graphic arts, computer graphics or animated design is required.
• Creative ability and artistic talent, as demonstrated by a portfolio of work, are required.
• Experience or training in multimedia design at a post-secondary, college or technical institution may be required.

Example job titles

airbrush artist · animation camera operator · animated cartoon inker · animation painter · animated cartoon painter · animation inker · art work assembler · graphic arts assembler · cartoon background artist · photography colourist · photographic colourist · graphic arts copy stylist · graphic arts technician · graphics technician · animated cartoons inker and painter · photo process letterer - graphic arts · lettering artist · mannequin artist · hand painter - graphic arts · sign painter · traffic sign painter · paste-up artist · photo stencil maker · photograph retoucher · photographic airbrush artist · poster layout designer · poster painter · design assistant - advertising production · graphic arts renderer · screen stencil cutter - graphic arts · apprentice sign painter · sign writer · silkscreen stencil cutter · silkscreen technician · stencil marker · stencil marker - graphic arts · animated cartoon technician · computer graphics operator · sign layout detailer · computer graphics design technician

Wages (per hour)

Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.