Printing Press Operators

realistic interests inspect product production equipment operate machine necessary adjustment examine job orders paper follow instruction ink

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 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 Hot Technology
  • Adobe Photoshop Hot Technology

Desktop publishing software

  • Adobe InDesign Hot Technology
  • QuarkXPress

Document management software

  • Adobe Acrobat Hot Technology
  • Adobe LifeCycle Production Print ES3

Education

high school diploma/GED or
certificate after high school
usually needed

Get started on your career:

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Job Outlook

Below Average
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.

Salary:

$41,860
$29,790
$61,500
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See more details at O*NET OnLine about printing press operators.