The Mechanical Artist working in the art department of an advertising agency is responsible for pasting up a guide for the engraver of print advertisements the agency has created. These guides are called mechanicals. They are exact copies of the printed ads and are made in black and white. Mechanicals are used by printers or engravers to reproduce the ad on metal engravings or used in the photo offset production process. The Mechanical Artist does not use any creative ability in this job.
The individual will be given a sketch called a comprehensive. This sketch illustrates the way the ad is supposed to look. He or she pastes up all the different pieces of the ad on white illustration board. These components might include the artwork, photographs, type, logos, and borders. The Mechanical Artist takes a photostat of the artwork and pictures and scales it to the correct size of the advertisement.
A photostat, or “stat,” for short, is a photographic reproduction used in making ad layouts. It is used to scale art, graphics, and type to the right size. The photostats are then used by the engraver to make the mechanical. For example, if the agency were to run a full-page ad in a 9” by 12” magazine, the individual would have to make sure that the picture was scaled to fit the ad. He or she would also paste photostats of type proofs of the copy and headlines and any graphics or coupons to fit the page. The Mechanical Artist must be sure that he or she puts everything exactly where the artist, creative director, or art director wants it placed. The individual must be precise and neat in his or her pasteup job.
In some agencies Mechanical Artists are also responsible for making stats. To do this, they must be familiar with stat cameras and their operation. In other agencies there are other people responsible for this task. As Mechanical Artists become more proficient they may become involved in the preparation of color overlaying and separations. This is another step in the mechanical process and is done after the first mechanical is created and engraved. It is used when making advertisements that will eventually appear in color. In smaller agencies the Mechanical Artist might also be responsible for performing the tasks of the pasteup artist.
These include cutting mats, mounting ads and storyboards, and collating promotional pieces. The Mechanical Artist works normal business hours unless an advertisement must be finished to meet a deadline. He or she is then required to work overtime. The individual is responsible to the assistant art director, the art director, or the creative director, depending on the structure of the agency and the department.
Mechanical Artists working in agencies may earn from $24,000 to $45,000 or more a year, depending on the agency location and size and the individual’s responsibilities and experience. Mechanical Artists with little or no agency experience average salaries in the low twenties. Individuals with more experience or those working in major metropolitan areas may earn more. Agency employees may have their salaries augmented by benefit packages.
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