Browse Skills printing techniques

printing techniques

🔻 Declining ESCO reuse: cross-sector

The techniques and processes to reproduce text and images using a master form or template such as letterpress printing, gravure, and laser printing.

printing techniques — the techniques and processes to reproduce text and images using a master form or template such as letterpress printing, gravure, and laser printing. McKinsey's Skill Change Index places it in the declining band (SCI 51.6/100) — a skill likely to fall in demand as AI and automation cover more of its ground by 2030. ESCO classifies it as a cross-sector (useful across many industries) skill within knowledge. It is currently listed by 12 occupations in our catalogue, including Etchers and engravers, 3D printing technician, flexographic press operator, and gravure press operator.

Category: knowledge › audio-visual techniques and media production SCI: 51.6/100 Also known as: printing procedures, printing technique, printing methods, print techniques, printing practices

Occupations that require printing techniques

Showing top 12 of 12 occupations · ranked by India employment volume, then AI-durability.

Etchers and engravers · 🤖 3.1/10
3D printing technician · 🤖 5.0/10
flexographic press operator · 🤖 5.0/10
gravure press operator · 🤖 5.0/10
hot foil operator · 🤖 5.0/10
imagesetter · 🤖 5.0/10
lithographer · 🤖 5.0/10
offset printer · 🤖 5.0/10
prepress operator · 🤖 5.0/10
scanning operator · 🤖 5.0/10
screen printer · 🤖 5.0/10
Desktop publishers · 🤖 7.7/10

Frequently asked questions

What is printing techniques?

The techniques and processes to reproduce text and images using a master form or template such as letterpress printing, gravure, and laser printing.

What category of skill is printing techniques?

ESCO classifies printing techniques under the knowledge category, specifically in the audio-visual techniques and media production subcategory.

Is printing techniques an AI-durable skill?

McKinsey's Skill Change Index places it in the declining band (SCI 51.6/100) — a skill likely to fall in demand as AI and automation cover more of its ground by 2030. Prioritise this skill only when it directly enables paid work today — plan for AI to absorb more of it every year.

Which jobs require printing techniques?

In our catalogue, 12 occupations list printing techniques as a required or important skill. The top occupations by employment volume include Etchers and engravers, 3D printing technician, flexographic press operator, gravure press operator, hot foil operator, imagesetter.

How transferable is printing techniques between industries?

ESCO tags printing techniques as a cross-sector (useful across many industries) skill — a signal of how portable it is when you change field.

Is printing techniques the same as printing procedures?

Yes — printing techniques is also known as printing procedures, printing technique, printing methods, print techniques, or printing practices. They refer to the same underlying capability in the ESCO taxonomy.

How can I learn printing techniques?

The most reliable path is to pick a job or project that demands printing techniques and learn through delivery. Complement that with role-specific roadmaps and short courses. Explore the occupations below to see where this skill is used in practice.

Data: ESCO v1.2.1 (CC-BY-4.0). Durability framework informed by McKinsey Global Institute (Nov 2025). See our methodology.