Careers
>Arts, Audio/Video Technology & Communications
>Printing Technology
>Print Binding and Finishing Workers
Print Binding and Finishing Workers
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
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.
Bind books and other publications or finish printed products by hand or machine. May set up binding and finishing machines.
Salary Salary
Salary at 10th Percentile: $23K
Salary at 25th Percentile: $28K
Median Salary: $34K
Salary at 75th Percentile: $43K
Salary at 90th Percentile: $52K
Demand
Core Tasks
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.
Stitch or glue endpapers, bindings, backings, or signatures, using sewing machines, glue machines, or glue and brushes.
Trim edges of books to size, using cutting machines, book trimming machines, or hand cutters.
Insert book bodies in devices that form back edges of books into convex shapes and produce grooves that facilitate cover attachment.
Monitor machine operations to detect malfunctions or to determine whether adjustments are needed.
Lubricate, clean, or make minor repairs to machine parts to keep machines in working condition.
Maintain records, such as daily production records, using specified forms.
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.
Cut cover material to specified dimensions, fitting and gluing material to binder boards by hand or machine.
Bind new books, using hand tools such as bone folders, knives, hammers, or brass binding tools.
Compress sewed or glued signatures, using hand presses or smashing machines.
Cut binder boards to specified dimensions, using board shears, hand cutters, or cutting machines.
Imprint or emboss lettering, designs, or numbers on book covers, using gold, silver, or colored foil, and stamping machines.
Perform highly skilled hand finishing binding operations, such as grooving or lettering.
Form book bodies by folding and sewing printed sheets to form signatures and assembling signatures in numerical order.
Meet with clients, printers, or designers to discuss job requirements or binding plans.
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.
Train workers to set up, operate, and use automatic bindery machines.
Design original or special bindings for limited editions or other custom binding projects.
Punch holes in and fasten paper sheets, signatures, or other material, using hand or machine punches and staplers.
Repair, restore, or rebind old, rare, or damaged books, using hand tools.
Apply color to edges of signatures using brushes, pads, or atomizers.
Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Administration and Management
71%
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.
Production and Processing
68%
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Mechanical
65%
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Customer and Personal Service
62%
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
58%
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Mathematics
58%
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Clerical
55%
Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
Education and Training
55%
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Computers and Electronics
48%
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Sales and Marketing
44%
Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Top 10 Skills
Operations Monitoring
68%
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Critical Thinking
65%
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Judgment and Decision Making
63%
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Monitoring
63%
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Reading Comprehension
63%
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Complex Problem Solving
60%
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Quality Control Analysis
60%
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Speaking
60%
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Listening
58%
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.
Coordination
58%
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Top 10 Abilities
Finger Dexterity
70%
The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Near Vision
70%
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Problem Sensitivity
70%
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
68%
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
68%
The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Oral Comprehension
68%
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression
68%
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Deductive Reasoning
65%
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Speech Clarity
65%
The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Visualization
65%
The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
Top 10 Work Activities
Controlling Machines and Processes
86%
Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
Getting Information
85%
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
84%
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Handling and Moving Objects
81%
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
79%
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
76%
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
74%
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
73%
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People
73%
Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
Performing General Physical Activities
73%
Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
Detailed Work Activities
Inspected printed materials or other images to verify quality.
Study blueprints or other instructions to determine equipment setup requirements.
Mount attachments or tools onto production equipment.
Trim excess material from workpieces.
Sew clothing or other articles.
Operate sewing equipment.
Watch operating equipment to detect malfunctions.
Record operational or production data.
Clean production equipment.
Lubricate production equipment.
Repair production equipment or tools.
Operate equipment to print images or bind printed images together.
Stack finished items for further processing or shipment.
Package products for storage or shipment.
Load materials into production equipment.
Adjust equipment controls to regulate flow of production materials or products.
Instruct workers to use equipment or perform technical procedures.
Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment.
Cut industrial materials in preparation for fabrication or processing.
Engrave designs, text, or other markings onto materials, workpieces, or products.
Confer with customers or designers to determine order specifications.
Drill holes in parts, equipment, or materials.
Apply protective or decorative finishes to workpieces or products.
Work Context
Face-to-Face Discussions
How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
Spend Time Standing
How much does this job require standing?
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
Work With Work Group or Team
How important is it to work with others in a group or team 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?
Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable
How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?
Exposed to Hazardous Equipment
How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?
Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
How much does this job require making repetitive motions?
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?
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets?
Education
Interests
Realistic
86%
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
67%
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.
Artistic
43%
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.
Enterprising
34%
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.
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.
Integrity
86%
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Dependability
81%
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence
81%
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.
Self Control
80%
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Adaptability/Flexibility
78%
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Cooperation
77%
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Stress Tolerance
75%
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Achievement/Effort
74%
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Persistence
73%
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
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.
Independence
53%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
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.
Working Conditions
46%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
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.
Relationships
43%
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.
