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>Printing Press Operators
Printing Press Operators
Overview
Salary
Demand
Core Tasks
Technology Skills
Tools Used
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Top 10 Skills
Top 10 Abilities
Top 10 Work Activities
Detailed Work Activities
Work Context
Education
Majors
Interests
Top 10 Work Styles
Work Values
Related Careers
Overview
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Experience
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Education
These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Job Training
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Examples
These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, and tellers.
Set up and operate digital, letterpress, lithographic, flexographic, gravure, or other printing machines. Includes short-run offset printing presses.
Salary Salary
Salary at 10th Percentile: $25K
Salary at 25th Percentile: $29K
Median Salary: $37K
Salary at 75th Percentile: $48K
Salary at 90th Percentile: $60K
Demand
Core Tasks
Start presses and pull proofs to check for ink coverage and density, alignment, and registration.
Adjust ink fountain flow rates.
Examine job orders to determine quantities to be printed, stock specifications, colors, or special printing instructions.
Collect and inspect random samples during print runs to identify any necessary adjustments.
Verify that paper and ink meet the specifications for a given job.
Feed paper through press cylinders and adjust feed and tension controls.
Download or scan files to be printed, using printing production software.
Load presses with paper and make necessary adjustments, according to paper size.
Monitor automated press operation systems and respond to fault, error, or alert messages.
Secure printing plates to printing units and adjust tolerances.
Change press plates, blankets, or cylinders, as required.
Clean ink fountains, plates, or printing unit cylinders when press runs are completed.
Obtain or mix inks and fill ink fountains.
Adjust digital files to alter print elements, such as fonts, graphics, or color separations.
Input production job settings into workstation terminals that control automated printing systems.
Clean or oil presses or make minor repairs, using hand tools.
Direct or monitor work of press crews.
Download completed jobs to archive media so that questions can be answered or jobs replicated.
Maintain time or production records.
Control workflow scheduling or job tracking, using computer database software.
Monitor inventory levels on a regular basis, ordering or requesting additional supplies, as necessary.
Monitor environmental factors, such as humidity and temperature, that may impact equipment performance and make necessary adjustments.
Set up or operate auxiliary equipment, such as cutting, folding, plate-making, drilling, or laminating machines.
Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Mechanical
77%
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Production and Processing
74%
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Customer and Personal Service
58%
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
English Language
56%
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Computers and Electronics
55%
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Mathematics
55%
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Chemistry
50%
Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Administration and Management
42%
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Education and Training
42%
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Public Safety and Security
42%
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Top 10 Skills
Quality Control Analysis
78%
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Operations Monitoring
73%
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Monitoring
65%
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Operation and Control
65%
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Active Listening
63%
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking
63%
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Equipment Maintenance
63%
Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Judgment and Decision Making
63%
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Reading Comprehension
63%
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Repairing
63%
Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Top 10 Abilities
Near Vision
80%
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Control Precision
70%
The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Problem Sensitivity
68%
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Arm-Hand Steadiness
65%
The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Manual Dexterity
65%
The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Deductive Reasoning
63%
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Finger Dexterity
63%
The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Information Ordering
63%
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Multilimb Coordination
63%
The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
Oral Comprehension
63%
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Top 10 Work Activities
Controlling Machines and Processes
93%
Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
87%
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Getting Information
85%
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
84%
Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Scheduling Work and Activities
80%
Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
Handling and Moving Objects
79%
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
79%
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
79%
Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
78%
Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
76%
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Detailed Work Activities
Inspected printed materials or other images to verify quality.
Operate photographic developing or print production equipment.
Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements.
Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences.
Adjust equipment controls to regulate flow of production materials or products.
Evaluate quality of materials or products.
Collect samples of materials or products for testing.
Feed materials or products into or through equipment.
Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning.
Load materials into production equipment.
Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment.
Clean production equipment.
Install mechanical components in production equipment.
Mix ingredients to create specific finishes.
Enter commands, instructions, or specifications into equipment.
Lubricate production equipment.
Record operational or production data.
Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products.
Order materials, supplies, or equipment.
Monitor environmental impacts of production or development activities.
Download data.
Program equipment to perform production tasks.
Direct operational or production activities.
Operate cutting equipment.
Work Context
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
Time Pressure
How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
Face-to-Face Discussions
How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
Exposed to Contaminants
How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
Frequency of Decision Making
How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
Exposed to Hazardous Equipment
How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?
Work With Work Group or Team
How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
Exposed to Hazardous Conditions
How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?
Education
Interests
Realistic
91%
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Conventional
72%
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Enterprising
29%
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Artistic
24%
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Investigative
24%
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Social
19%
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Top 10 Work Styles
Attention to Detail
91%
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Dependability
85%
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence
76%
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Integrity
76%
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Stress Tolerance
75%
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Cooperation
74%
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Initiative
74%
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Adaptability/Flexibility
71%
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Persistence
71%
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Achievement/Effort
69%
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Work Values
Support
58%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Achievement
48%
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Independence
43%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Recognition
43%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
Working Conditions
43%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Relationships
34%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
