Etchers and Engravers

Engrave or etch metal, wood, rubber, or other materials. Includes such workers as etcher-circuit processors, pantograph engravers, and silk screen etchers.

Tasks Include:

Adjust depths and sizes of cuts by adjusting heights of worktables, or by adjusting machine-arm gauges.
Engrave and print patterns, designs, etchings, trademarks, or lettering onto flat or curved surfaces of a wide variety of metal, glass, plastic, or paper items, using hand tools or hand-held power tools.
Position and clamp workpieces, plates, or rollers in holding fixtures.
Determine machine settings, and move bars or levers to reproduce designs on rollers or plates.
Examine engraving for quality of cut, burrs, rough spots, and irregular or incomplete engraving.
Measure and compute dimensions of lettering, designs, or patterns to be engraved.
Start machines and lower cutting tools to beginning points on patterns.
Clean and polish engraved areas.
Examine sketches, diagrams, samples, blueprints, or photographs to decide how designs are to be etched, cut, or engraved onto workpieces.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0; US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection.

Projections Quick View:

Virginia: + 2.4%

National: - 2.7%

Education

High School Diploma

Job Zone:

Two: Some Preparation Needed

Income Range:

Mid Range ($28,000 - $35,999)

Average Earnings:

National

$30,210.00

State

$36,870.00

Regional

Etchers and Engravers

Description

Career Cluster:

Manufacturing

Engrave or etch metal, wood, rubber, or other materials. Includes such workers as etcher-circuit processors, pantograph engravers, and silk screen etchers.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.

Etchers and Engravers

Education

Required Level of Education

High School Diploma (or GED or High School Equivalence Certificate) = 47.29%
Less than a High School Diploma = 27.13%
Some College Courses = 24.66%
Master's Degree = 0.92%

Related Work Experience

Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 40.08%
None = 33.48%
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years = 11.39%
Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months = 11.20%
Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 2.17%
Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years = 0.86%
Over 10 years = 0.83%

On-Site or In-Plant Training

Up to and including 1 month = 26.63%
Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 23.44%
None = 14.42%
Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 13.47%
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 12.15%
Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months = 9.07%
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years = 0.82%

On-the-Job Training

Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month = 27.27%
Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 26.47%
Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 18.05%
Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months = 15.25%
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 12.15%
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years = 0.82%

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.

Etchers and Engravers

Tasks

Core Tasks Include:

Adjust depths and sizes of cuts by adjusting heights of worktables, or by adjusting machine-arm gauges.
Engrave and print patterns, designs, etchings, trademarks, or lettering onto flat or curved surfaces of a wide variety of metal, glass, plastic, or paper items, using hand tools or hand-held power tools.
Position and clamp workpieces, plates, or rollers in holding fixtures.
Determine machine settings, and move bars or levers to reproduce designs on rollers or plates.
Examine engraving for quality of cut, burrs, rough spots, and irregular or incomplete engraving.
Measure and compute dimensions of lettering, designs, or patterns to be engraved.
Start machines and lower cutting tools to beginning points on patterns.
Clean and polish engraved areas.
Examine sketches, diagrams, samples, blueprints, or photographs to decide how designs are to be etched, cut, or engraved onto workpieces.

Supplemental Tasks Include:

Select and mount wheels and miters on lathes, and equip lathes with water to cool wheels and prevent dust when grinding glass.
Prepare etching chemicals according to formulas, diluting acid with water to obtain solutions of specified concentration.
Observe actions of cutting tools through microscopes and adjust stylus movement to ensure accurate reproduction.
Reduce artwork to be used, using reduction cameras.
Sandblast exposed areas of glass to cut designs in surfaces, using spray guns.
Set reduction scales to attain specified sizes of reproduction on workpieces, and set pantograph controls for required heights, depths, and widths of cuts.
Brush or smear abrasives on cutting wheels.
Neutralize workpieces to remove acid, wax, or enamel, using water, solvents, brushes, or specialized machines.
Inspect etched work for depth of etching, uniformity, and defects, using calibrated microscopes, gauges, fingers, or magnifying lenses.
Prepare workpieces for etching or engraving by cutting, sanding, cleaning, polishing, or treating them with wax, acid resist, lime, etching powder, or light-sensitive enamel.
Insert cutting tools or bits into machines and secure them with wrenches.
Print proofs or examine designs to verify accuracy of engraving, and rework engraving as required.
Transfer image to workpiece, using contact printer, pantograph stylus, silkscreen printing device, or stamp pad.
Sketch, trace, or scribe layout lines and designs on workpieces, plates, dies, or rollers, using compasses, scribers, gravers, or pencils.
Guide stylus over template, causing cutting tool to duplicate design or letters on workpiece.
Remove completed workpieces and place them in trays.
Carve designs and letters onto metal for transfer to other surfaces.
Remove wax or tape from etched glassware by using a stylus or knife, or by immersing ware in hot water.
Select and insert required templates into pattern frames beneath the stylus of a machine cutting tool or router.
Cut outlines of impressions with gravers, and remove excess material with knives.
Fill etched characters with opaque paste to improve readability.
Brush or wipe acid over engraving to darken or highlight inscriptions.
Expose workpieces to acid to develop etch patterns such as designs, lettering, or figures.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.

Etchers and Engravers

Knowledge

%	Subject	Description
80.00	Production and Processing	Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
71.50	English Language	Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
70.25	Customer and Personal Service	Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
66.25	Computers and Electronics	Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
60.25	Clerical	Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
59.50	Administration and Management	Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
55.25	Design	Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
51.50	Mechanical	Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
50.50	Mathematics	Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.

Etchers and Engravers

Skills

%	Subject	Description
59.50	Critical Thinking	Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
56.25	Active Listening	Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
56.25	Time Management	Managing one's own time and the time of others.
53.00	Speaking	Talking to others to convey information effectively.
53.00	Operation Monitoring	Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
50.00	Reading Comprehension	Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
50.00	Quality Control Analysis	Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
50.00	Judgment and Decision Making	Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.

Etchers and Engravers

Abilities

%	Subject	Description
65.75	Oral Comprehension	The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
65.75	Arm-Hand Steadiness	The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
65.75	Control Precision	The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
62.50	Oral Expression	The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
62.50	Near Vision	The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
59.50	Manual Dexterity	The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
59.50	Finger Dexterity	The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
53.25	Inductive Reasoning	The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
53.25	Problem Sensitivity	The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
53.25	Speech Clarity	The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
53.25	Speech Recognition	The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
50.00	Information Ordering	The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
50.00	Selective Attention	The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
50.00	Visualization	The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.

Etchers and Engravers

Work Activities

%	Subject	Description
79.00	Getting Information	Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
70.75	Handling and Moving Objects	Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
67.25	Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material	Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
66.75	Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events	Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
66.75	Controlling Machines and Processes	Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
59.50	Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates	Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
57.50	Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships	Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
57.00	Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People	Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
55.50	Processing Information	Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
54.00	Communicating with Persons Outside Organization	Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
53.25	Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work	Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
53.00	Interacting With Computers	Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
53.00	Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information	Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
52.50	Making Decisions and Solving Problems	Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
52.00	Thinking Creatively	Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
51.00	Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others	Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
50.75	Documenting/Recording Information	Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
50.50	Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings	Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.

Etchers and Engravers

Work Styles

%	Subject	Description
86.50	Attention to Detail	Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
82.00	Dependability	Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
77.25	Integrity	Job requires being honest and ethical.
74.75	Independence	Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
74.00	Cooperation	Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
66.75	Innovation	Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
66.50	Initiative	Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
64.75	Adaptability/Flexibility	Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
64.25	Analytical Thinking	Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
63.75	Achievement/Effort	Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
62.00	Self Control	Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
61.75	Concern for Others	Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
60.75	Leadership	Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
58.75	Persistence	Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
58.50	Stress Tolerance	Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.

Etchers and Engravers

Work Values

%	Subject	Description
55.50	Support	Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
50.00	Relationships	Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
50.00	Independence	Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.

Etchers and Engravers

Work Context

%	Subject	Description
97.60	Freedom to Make Decisions	How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
95.40	Structured versus Unstructured Work	To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?
94.60	Importance of Being Exact or Accurate	How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
93.00	Telephone	How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
91.80	Time Pressure	How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
91.20	Contact With Others	How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
90.40	Face-to-Face Discussions	How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
89.80	Frequency of Decision Making	How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
86.40	Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls	How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
85.20	Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment	How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)
79.40	Degree of Automation	How automated is the job?
77.60	Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results	How do the decisions an employee makes impact the results of co-workers, clients or the company?
74.60	Work With Work Group or Team	How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
72.20	Level of Competition	To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?
69.40	Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions	How much does this job require making repetitive motions?
69.20	Coordinate or Lead Others	How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job?
68.20	Responsibility for Outcomes and Results	How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?
67.40	Spend Time Sitting	How much does this job require sitting?
64.00	Spend Time Standing	How much does this job require standing?
60.20	Responsible for Others' Health and Safety	How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
58.80	Deal With External Customers	How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job?
51.80	Importance of Repeating Same Tasks	How important is repeating the same physical activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and over, without stopping, to performing this job?

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.

Etchers and Engravers

Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed

Overall Experience
- Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Job Training
- Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Examples
- These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include sheet metal workers, forest fire fighters, customer service representatives, physical therapist aides, salespersons (retail), and tellers.
Education
- These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.

Etchers and Engravers

Earnings Benefits

Region	Entry Level	Average	Experienced
United States	$18,930.00	$30,120.00	$44,040.00
Virginia	$20,600.00	$36,870.00	$56,510.00

Region	Entry Level	Average	Experienced
Bay Consortium	No Data	No Data	No Data
Capital Region Workforce Partnership	No Data	No Data	No Data
Central VA/Region2000	No Data	No Data	No Data
Crater Area	No Data	No Data	No Data
Greater Peninsula	No Data	No Data	No Data
Hampton Roads	$21,861.45	$28,165.87	$36,020.64
New River/Mt. Rogers	No Data	No Data	No Data
Northern Virginia and Alexandria/Arlington	$35,168.20	$48,874.91	$65,672.22
Piedmont Workforce	No Data	No Data	No Data
Shenandoah Valley	$26,400.39	$33,526.95	$41,395.86
South Central	No Data	No Data	No Data
Southwestern Virginia	No Data	No Data	No Data
West Piedmont	No Data	No Data	No Data
Western Virginia	No Data	No Data	No Data

The data sources for the information displayed here include: US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection.

Etchers and Engravers

Employment Projections

National	2010	2020	% Change
United States	10,900	10,600	- 2.7%

State	2008	2018	% Change
Virginia	254	260	+ 2.4%

Region	2008	2018	% Change
Bay Consortium	No Data	No Data	No Data
Capital Region Workforce Partnership	0	0	+ 0.0%
Central VA/Region2000	0	0	+ 0.0%
Crater Area	0	0	+ 0.0%
Greater Peninsula	0	0	+ 0.0%
Hampton Roads	0	0	+ 0.0%
New River/Mt. Rogers	0	0	+ 0.0%
Northern Virginia and Alexandria/Arlington	0	0	+ 0.0%
Piedmont Workforce	0	0	+ 0.0%
Shenandoah Valley	0	0	+ 0.0%
South Central	0	0	+ 0.0%
Southwestern Virginia	0	0	+ 0.0%
West Piedmont	0	0	+ 0.0%
Western Virginia	0	0	+ 0.0%

The data sources for the information displayed here include: Virginia Workforce Connection.

Etchers and Engravers

Related Occupations

Related Occupations

Careers in Production Pathway:

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.

Etchers and Engravers

View Videos

The following videos are available for this occupation:

Manufacturing (6.08 Mb)

Macromedia Flash is required for viewing the videos. If you do not have the Flash plugin, it is freely available for download.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: New York State Department of Labor; New Jersey Department of Labor; California Occupational Information Coordinating Committee.

Etchers and Engravers

Proficiency Ratings

These proficiencies are scored on a scale from 1 to 5 with 1 being not
important to the job and 5 being extremely important to the job.

Proficiency	Rating
Getting Information	4.0
Handling and Moving Objects	4.0
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material	3.5
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events	3.5
Controlling Machines and Processes	3.5
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates	3.5
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships	3.5
Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People	3.5
Processing Information	3.0
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization	3.0
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work	3.0
Interacting With Computers	3.0
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information	3.0
Making Decisions and Solving Problems	3.0
Thinking Creatively	3.0
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others	3.0
Documenting/Recording Information	3.0
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings	3.0
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge	3.0
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public	3.0
Scheduling Work and Activities	3.0
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards	3.0
Performing General Physical Activities	3.0
Selling or Influencing Others	3.0
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment	3.0
Analyzing Data or Information	2.5
Training and Teaching Others	2.5
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment	2.5
Performing Administrative Activities	2.5
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment	2.5
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others	2.5
Developing and Building Teams	2.5
Monitoring and Controlling Resources	2.5
Provide Consultation and Advice to Others	2.5
Coaching and Developing Others	2.5
Developing Objectives and Strategies	2.5
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others	2.0
Assisting and Caring for Others	2.0
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment	2.0
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates	2.0
Staffing Organizational Units	1.5

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.

Etchers and Engravers

Titles

Acid Etch Operator
Block Engraver
Bowling Ball Engraver
Computer Engraver
Decorative Engraver Apprentice
Die Cutter
Die Maker
Dynamic Etching Processor
Electronic Engraver Operator
Embosser
Engraver
Engraving Patternmaker
Engraving Plate Maker
Engrosser
Etched Circuit Processor
Etcher
Glass Calibrator
Glass Decorator
Glass Engraver
Glass Etcher
Hand Engraver
Hand Engraver Apprentice
Hand Etcher
Hand or Machine Precision Engraver
Hand or Machine Precision Etcher
Hand Roller Engraver
Hand Screen Printer
Hard Metals Hand Engraver
Internal Carver
Jewelry Engraver
Jewelry or Silverware Etcher
Jogger Operator
Laser Engraver
Leaf Stamper
Lens Engraver
Letterer
Liner
Machine Engraver
Mechanical Engraver Operator
Metal Engraver
Metals Engraver
Mold Engraver
Mold Stamper
Music Engraver
Optical Glass Etcher
Pantograph Engraver
Pantograph Operator
Photo Engraver
Photochemical Etcher
Picture Engraver
Plastic Engraver
Plate Cutter
Plate Maker
Printer
Proof Plate Maker
Re Etcher
Retoucher
Roller Engraver
Roller Mechanic
Roller Repairer
Rotary Engraver
Rubber Engraver
Screen Making Technician
Seals Engraver
Show Card Letterer
Show Card Writer
Siderographer
Siderographist
Silk Screen Etcher
Silk Screen Processor
Sketch Maker
Soft Metals Hand Engraver
Steel Die Engraver
Steel Engraver
Stone Engraver
Textile Engraver
Transferrer
Wax Engraver
Wood Block Artist
Wood Engraver
Zinc Plate Cutter

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.

Etchers and Engravers

Related Schools

Bishop State Community College
Cuyahoga Community College District
Douglas Education Center
Franklin Pierce University
Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center
H Councill Trenholm State Technical College
Kapiolani Community College
Lancaster County Career and Technology Center
Middlesex County College
Mount Marty College
New Mexico Junior College
North Central State College
Rochester Institute of Technology
Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology
University of the District of Columbia
University of Wisconsin-Stout