Photogravure Engraver

Photogravure engravers are responsible for the reproduction of all material on copper plates, which are used in the gravure printing process.

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They use cameras and screens to photograph the material to be reproduced, which may be photographs, text that has been set, line drawings, etc. A negative is developed and then a positive made on a transparent, light-sensitive celluloid or plastic material, which is placed beneath pigmented paper in a frame. The pigmented paper is finally transposed onto a slowly rotating copper cylinder in a trough containing hot water, to develop the image or picture.

Photogravure engravers may also develop colour photographs by using three separate colour filters.

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Personal Requirements

• at least 16 years old
• able to concentrate for long periods
• enjoy working with your hands
• able to work quickly and accurately even under pressure
• responsible
• enjoy performing routine work tasks
• some artistic ability
• interest in photography

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How to Enter

Schooling & School Subjects

Compulsory Subjects: Art or a related subjects is highly recommended
Recommended subjects: Art, Design Studies, Engineering and Graphic Design

Additional: 

• An art portfolio is required to demonstrate your creativity, abilities and commitment.
• If you intend studying towards a degree in Fine Art at university, you will need to a Bachelor's pass in matric. If you intend studying a diploma in an art-related field, then you will need a Diploma pass in matric.
• Meet the admission requirements (APS) set by the university or requirements set by the college.

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What to Study

There are 3 ways to qualify as a registered artisan:

1. An apprenticeship is a fixed contract between company and apprentice, ranging in duration from between 18 months and 4 years. At the end of the contract, the apprentice writes a trade test leading to professional certification.

2. A learnership is a structured learning programme ranging from about a year to 3 years. A learnership comprises theoretical and practical training. Practical training is conducted on site (on the premises of the organisation). This has the advantage that the learner gets experience whilst training.

3. TVET colleges offer theoretical training to prospective artisans via the new National Certificate Vocational (NCV). During this 3-year programme (levels 2 to 4), learners complete a school-leaving certificate (NCV) similar to the new National Senior Certificate (NSC) in schools. They are also exposed to a practical workshop component.

All learners are required to complete a practical internship under the supervision of an experienced artisan. As an alternative to doing the full qualification, a learner can apply to do a skills programme at a TVET College. Skills programmes are short practical hands-on courses.

For more information about qualifications and skills programmes, contact your nearest TVET College. TVET Colleges are accredited and funded by a SETA (Sector Education and Training Authority) such as MerSETA or ChietaSETA. They also receive bursary funding through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) for the NCV programme.

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Employment

• commercial printing plants
• newspaper plants
• book and magazine publishers
• metal can companies
• government departments
• government printing works
• firms that do their own printing

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Further Information

Printing Industries Federation of SA
575 Lupton Drive
Halfway House 
Midrand, Gauteng, 2191
Tel: (011) 287-1160
www.pifsa.co.za

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Getting Started

• try to obtain vacation or part-time work in a printing plant
• arrange to speak to a photogravure engraver about this type of career
• contact the Department of Labour about learnership possibilities in your area

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