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Printing Press Operators

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

What you’d do

  • 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.

Skills that matter

  • Quality Control Analysis
  • Operations Monitoring
  • Monitoring
  • Operation and Control
  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking

How to get there

Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one

Also called

  • Press Operator
  • Pressman
  • Printer
  • Printing Press Operator
  • Digital Press Operator
  • Flexographic Press Operator

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