In group settings, you can identify your printed copy with your name.

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Printing Press Operators

Also called: Press Operator, Pressman, Printer, Printing Press Operator

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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 practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
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 Systems Adobe Photoshop Hot Technology
  • Graphics software
Desktop publishing software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign Hot Technology
  • QuarkXPress
Document management software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat Hot Technology
  • Adobe Systems Adobe LifeCycle Production Print ES3

Education

Education: (rated 2 of 5)
high school diploma/GED or
certificate after high school
usually needed

Job Outlook

Below Average Outlook
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
Salary
$37,770
$27,890
$59,830

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