Printing Press Operators

• Examine job orders to determine quantities to be printed, stock specifications, colors, or special printing instructions.
• Verify that paper and ink meet the specifications for a given job.
• Start presses and pull proofs to check for ink coverage and density, alignment, and registration.
• Change press plates, blankets, or cylinders, as required.
• Obtain or mix inks and fill ink fountains.
• Feed paper through press cylinders and adjust feed and tension controls.
• Load presses with paper and make necessary adjustments, according to paper size.
• Secure printing plates to printing units and adjust tolerances.
• Clean ink fountains, plates, or printing unit cylinders when press runs are completed.
• Monitor automated press operation systems and respond to fault, error, or alert messages.
• Clean or oil presses or make minor repairs, using hand tools.
• Adjust ink fountain flow rates.
• Maintain time or production records.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Printing Press Operators.

• Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• 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.
• Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Troubleshooting - Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
• Equipment Maintenance - Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Printing Press Operators.