Printing Press Operators

What the job really is

Set up and operate digital, letterpress, lithographic, flexographic, gravure, or other printing machines. Includes short-run offset printing presses.

At a glance

• Sector: Production
• O*NET-SOC code: 51-5112
• 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:

• 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.
• Load presses with paper and make necessary adjustments, according to paper size.
• Secure printing plates to printing units and adjust tolerances.
• Clean ink fountains, plates, or printing unit cylinders when press runs are completed.
• Change press plates, blankets, or cylinders, as required.
• Obtain or mix inks and fill ink fountains.

Tools and technology

Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word, SAP software, AABACH Graphic Systems DIGRA, Acoustic ear muffs or defenders, Adjustable crescent wrenches

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
• Prepress Technicians and Workers
• Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators
• Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders
• Print Binding and Finishing Workers
• Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
• Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
• Milling and Planing Machine 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: Printing Press Operators — 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.