Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Career Overview

Set up, operate, or tend paper goods machines that perform a variety of functions, such as converting, sawing, corrugating, banding, wrapping, boxing, stitching, forming, or sealing paper or paperboard sheets into products.

Also Known As

Cup Room Technician
Folder Machine Operator
Paper Machine Backtender
Paper Machine Operator

Alternate Job Titles

Bag Machine Operator
Bag Machine Tender
Bag Maker
Bag Presser
Bag Valver
Bender Machine Operator
Binder
Box Brander
Box Fabricator
Box Finisher
Box Folding Machine Operator
Box Liner
Box Machine Operator
Box Stamper
Bundler

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

Examine completed work to detect defects and verify conformance to work orders, and adjust machinery as necessary to correct production problems.
Observe operation of various machines to detect and correct machine malfunctions such as improper forming, glue flow, or pasteboard tension.
Start machines and move controls to regulate tension on pressure rolls, to synchronize speed of machine components, and to adjust temperatures of glue or paraffin.
Disassemble machines to maintain, repair, or replace broken or worn parts, using hand or power tools.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

Production and Processing
Mechanical
Mathematics

Essential Skills

Success in this career requires strong skills in:

Operations Monitoring

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

Near Vision
Arm-Hand Steadiness
Control Precision
Problem Sensitivity
Information Ordering
Selective Attention
Finger Dexterity
Manual Dexterity
Deductive Reasoning
Reaction Time

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

Attention to Detail
Dependability
Cautiousness
Achievement Orientation
Stress Tolerance

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

Support
Relationships
Independence
Working Conditions
Achievement

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

Related Work Experience Needed: Up to and including 1 month

On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months

Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

Adobe Acrobat
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe InDesign
Adobe Photoshop
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Word

Tools & Equipment

Automatic stamping machines
Automatic stapling machines
Black and white laser printers
Book stitchers
Case making machines
Collator gatherers
Color laser printers
Combining machines
Commercial inkjet printers
Corrugated paper machines
Fully automatic binding machines
Guillotine paper cutters
Hand stamps
Mailing machines
Mallets

Work Environment

Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
Spend Time Standing
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

Salary & Job Market

Salary Percentile	Annual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)	$36,610
Median	$49,390
Top Earners (90th percentile)	$68,640

Workers Employed Nationally: 96,950