Printing Press Operators

Set up and operate digital, letterpress, lithographic, flexographic, gravure, or other printing machines. Includes short-run offset printing presses.

Median Annual Wage: $35,100

Education: High school diploma or equivalent (71%); Post-secondary certificate (22%); Less than high school diploma (7%)

Projected Growth: Decline (-3% or lower)

Related Job Titles: Press Operator; Pressman; Printer; Offset Pressman; 2nd Pressman; Printing Press Operator; 1st Pressman; Printing Pressman; Flexographic Press Operator; Press Leader

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

More Production Careers

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.

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

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