Printing Press Operators
Press Operator, Pressman, Printer, Printing Press Operator
What they do:
Set up and operate digital, letterpress, lithographic, flexographic, gravure, or other printing machines. Includes short-run offset printing presses.
On the job, you would:
- 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.
Knowledge
Engineering and Technology
- mechanical
Manufactured or Agricultural Goods
- manufacture and distribution of products
Skills
Basic Skills
- keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
- listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
Problem Solving
- noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Abilities
Hand and Finger Use
- hold or move items with your hands
- keep your arm or hand steady
Verbal
- communicate by speaking
- listen and understand what people say
Controlled Movement
- quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat
- use your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down
Personality
People interested in this work like activities that include data, detail, and regular routines.
They do well at jobs that need:
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Independence
- Integrity
- Stress Tolerance
- Cooperation
Technology
You might use software like this on the job:
Graphics or photo imaging software
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Photoshop
Desktop publishing software
- Adobe InDesign
- QuarkXPress
Document management software
- Adobe Acrobat
- Adobe LifeCycle Production Print ES3
Education
Education: (rated 2 of 5)
high school diploma/GED or
certificate after high school
usually needed
certificate after high school
usually needed
Job Outlook
Below Average
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
Explore More
- Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators & Tenders
- Cutting, Punching, & Press Machine Setters, Operators, & Tenders, Metal & Plastic
- Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, & Tenders
- Photographic Process Workers & Processing Machine Operators
- Prepress Technicians & Workers
You might like a career in one of these industries:
See more details at O*NET OnLine about printing press operators.