Career Overview
Set up and operate digital, letterpress, lithographic, flexographic, gravure, or other printing machines. Includes short-run offset printing presses.
Also Known As
- Press Operator
- Pressman
- Printer
- Printing Press Operator
Alternate Job Titles
- Aniline Press Worker
- Back Up Machine Operator
- Backer
- Bag Press Operator
- Bag Printer
- Balloon Design Printer
- Bander and Liner Operator
- Ben-Day Artist
- Binding Printer
- Block Printer
- Box Press Operator
- Box Printer
- Calico Printer
- Carton Stamper
- Cellophane Press Operator
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Start presses and pull proofs to check for ink coverage and density, alignment, and registration.
- Examine job orders to determine quantities to be printed, stock specifications, colors, or special printing instructions.
- Adjust ink fountain flow rates.
- Verify that paper and ink meet the specifications for a given job.
- Collect and inspect random samples during print runs to identify any necessary adjustments.
- Feed paper through press cylinders and adjust feed and tension controls.
- Monitor automated press operation systems and respond to fault, error, or alert messages.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Mechanical
- Production and Processing
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Quality Control Analysis
- Operations Monitoring
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Near Vision
- Control Precision
- Problem Sensitivity
- Manual Dexterity
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Oral Comprehension
- Visualization
- Speech Recognition
- Written Comprehension
- Multilimb Coordination
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Cautiousness
- Achievement Orientation
- Perseverance
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Support
- Achievement
- Working Conditions
- Recognition
- Independence
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
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 Outlook
- Microsoft Word
- SAP software
Tools & Equipment
- Acoustic ear muffs or defenders
- Adjustable crescent wrenches
- Adjustable wrenches
- Air knives
- Allen wrenches
- Back joggers
- Ball peen hammers
- Chain hoists
- Claw hammers
- Collating equipment
- Color separation scanners
- Conductivity indicators
- Cutting equipment
- Densitometers
- Desktop computers
Work Environment
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Time Pressure
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $31,450 |
| Median | $45,160 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $63,060 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 145,110
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $49,390
Prepress Technicians and Workers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $47,300
Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $40,100
Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $45,210
Print Binding and Finishing Workers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $39,820
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.