Print Binding and Finishing Workers

What the job really is

Bind books and other publications or finish printed products by hand or machine. May set up binding and finishing machines.

At a glance

• Sector: Production
• O*NET-SOC code: 51-5113
• O*NET job zone: 2 — some preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Examine stitched, collated, bound, or unbound product samples for defects, such as imperfect bindings, ink spots, torn pages, loose pages, or loose or uncut threads.
• Read work orders to determine instructions and specifications for machine set-up.
• Install or adjust bindery machine devices, such as knives, guides, rollers, rounding forms, creasing rams, or clamps, to accommodate sheets, signatures, or books of specified sizes.
• Trim edges of books to size, using cutting machines, book trimming machines, or hand cutters.
• Stitch or glue endpapers, bindings, backings, or signatures, using sewing machines, glue machines, or glue and brushes.
• Monitor machine operations to detect malfunctions or to determine whether adjustments are needed.
• Maintain records, such as daily production records, using specified forms.
• Lubricate, clean, or make minor repairs to machine parts to keep machines in working condition.
• Set up or operate bindery machines, such as coil binders, thermal or tape binders, plastic comb binders, or specialty binders.
• Set up or operate machines that perform binding operations, such as pressing, folding, or trimming.
• Prepare finished books for shipping by wrapping or packing books and stacking boxes on pallets.
• Set up or operate glue machines by filling glue reservoirs, turning switches to activate heating elements, or adjusting glue flow or conveyor speed.

Tools and technology

Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word, Band nippers, Bindery stackers, Board shears, Book binding rulers, Book stitching equipment, Bookbinding awls, Bookbinding glue brushes, Bookbinding jigs

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
• Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
• Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders
• Sewing Machine Operators
• Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
• Machine Feeders and Offbearers
• Printing Press Operators
• Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 2 (some preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Print Binding and Finishing Workers — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.