screen making technician
Role lens
Do you have a keen eye for detail and enjoy working with precision tools? As a screen making technician, you'll play a vital role in textile printing by creating the stencils that bring designs to life.
Screen making technicians are skilled craftspeople who prepare screens used in textile printing. Your work involves carefully engraving or etching these screens, ensuring accurate and high-quality image transfer onto fabrics. This role requires a combination of technical skill, precision, and an understanding of printing processes.
- • Preparing screens using various etching or engraving techniques.
- • Ensuring the accuracy and quality of screen designs.
- • Maintaining and cleaning equipment used in the screen-making process.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Deeper colour: reported the same way in more consecutive years.
Figures cover Handicraft and printing workers — 77 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Greece, Italy.
Longest-running shortage: Greece, 2 years.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
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Could screen making technician fit you?
Answer three quick questions. This is not a full assessment — it is a teaser to help you decide whether to compare your profile.
Do you enjoy tasks that require Attention to Detail?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Independence?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Dependability?
Future Outlook for screen making technician
The outlook for screen making technician reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could screen making technician change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How could screen making technician change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
Most tasks here are AI-assistable rather than purely human-led.
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- cut textiles
- bundle fabrics
- prepare equipment for textile printing
Tasks most exposed to automation
No single task here is highly automatable yet.
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Advanced Manufacturing
A typical day as a screen making technician
09 09:00 · Morning maintain control systems for automated equipment
10 10:30 · Mid-morning operate screen printing equipment for textiles
12 12:00 · Midday bundle fabrics
14 14:00 · Afternoon decorate textile articles
15 15:30 · Late afternoon tend textile printing machines
17 17:00 · Wrap-up cut textiles
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
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3D printing process
The process of reproducing 3D objects by using 3D printing technologies.
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properties of textile materials
The characteristics and properties of different textile and fabric materials. These include strength, flexibility, elasticity, softness, durability, heat insulation, low weight, water absorbency/repellence, dyeability and resistance to chemicals. Moreover, the influence of chemical composition and molecular arrangement of yarn and fibre properties and fabric structure on the physical properties of textile fabrics; the different fibre types; the materials used in different processes and the effect on materials as they are processed.
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research and development in textiles
Development of new concepts through the use of scientific and other methods of applied research.
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textile chemistry
Chemical processing of textiles such as the reactions of textiles to chemicals.
- health and safety in the textile industry
- printing techniques
- textile printing technology
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operate screen printing equipment for textiles
Operate equipment for textile screen printing considering specifications, the type of textile material, and the quantity for production. Foresee the necessary actions for screen and printing in textile.
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decorate textile articles
Decorate wearing apparels and made up textile articles by hand or using machines. Decorate textile articles with ornaments, braided cords, golden yarns, soutaches, jewellery, and cristals.
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tend textile printing machines
Operate textile printing machines keeping efficiency and productivity at high levels.
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prepare equipment for textile printing
Manufacture screens and prepare printing paste. Use tools and equipment associated with screen printing. Select screen types and mesh for appropriate substrates. Develop, dry and finish screen image. Prepare screens, test screens and printed quality.
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maintain equipment
Regularly inspect and perform all required activities to maintain the equipment in functional order prior or after its use.
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cut textiles
Cut textiles fitting to customers' desires and needs.
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bundle fabrics
Bundle fabrics and place several cut components together in a single package. Join related products and items together. Sort the cut fabrics and add them with the accessories required for assembling. Care for the adequate transportation to the sewing lines.
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maintain control systems for automated equipment
Check, maintain and repair electrical and electronic elements. Check and update software of automated equipment.
Skill DNA
Work personality traits and values that define this role
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Where does screen making technician fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
Frequently asked questions
- What kind of materials do screen making technicians work with?
- You'll typically work with screen mesh (various materials like polyester or nylon), photo emulsions, etching chemicals, and specialized tools for engraving and cleaning.
- Is this a physically demanding job?
- While the role requires precision, it can involve standing for extended periods and handling chemicals. Following safety protocols is crucial.
- What skills are important for success as a screen making technician?
- Strong attention to detail, manual dexterity, an understanding of printing principles, and the ability to follow technical instructions are all essential. Problem-solving skills are also valuable.
- Screen Making Technician — is there a shortage in Europe?
- No. In the 2025 ELA/EURES edition, a surplus was reported in 6 of the 8 European countries that assessed this occupation group: Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, Finland and 2 more. 2 countries reported a shortage. These assessments are published per occupation group rather than per job title.
- Screen Making Technician — what does it pay in the United States?
- $40,450 a year at the median, as of 2025-05. State medians run from $28,300 to $65,380. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a United States figure and not a projection for Europe.