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Printing Press Operators

	Median Wage (USD, 2024)	Projected Job Openings (2023-2033)	Projected Growth (2023-2033)
National Statistics	$45,160	14300	-9.5%
State Statistics	-	-	-
City Statistics	-	-	-

Statistics

National

State

City

State

City

$45,160

Median Wage (USD, 2023)

14300

Projected Job Openings (2023-2033)

-9.5%

Projected Growth (2023-2033)

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

Experience Requirements Overview

Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
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.

Education, Training and Experience

Required Level of Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

Related Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years

On-Site or In-Plant Training: N.A.

On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months

Detailed Work Activities

Program equipment to perform production tasks.
Adjust equipment controls to regulate flow of production materials or products.
Install mechanical components in production equipment.
Clean production equipment.
Clean production equipment.
Lubricate production equipment.
Inspected printed materials or other images to verify quality.
Collect samples of materials or products for testing.
Download data.
Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements.
Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences.
Feed materials or products into or through equipment.
Enter commands, instructions, or specifications into equipment.
Load materials into production equipment.
Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning.
Mix ingredients to create specific finishes.
Load materials into production equipment.
Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment.
Inspected printed materials or other images to verify quality.
Operate photographic developing or print production equipment.
Evaluate quality of materials or products.
Direct operational or production activities.
Direct operational or production activities.
Download data.
Record operational or production data.
Monitor environmental impacts of production or development activities.
Adjust equipment controls to regulate flow of production materials or products.
Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products.
Order materials, supplies, or equipment.
Operate cutting equipment.

Work Values

Achievement

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

Recognition

Relationships

Support

Independence

Tasks

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.
Input production job settings into workstation terminals that control automated printing systems.
Clean or oil presses or make minor repairs, using hand tools.
Maintain time or production records.
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.
Download or scan files to be printed, using printing production software.
Adjust digital files to alter print elements, such as fonts, graphics, or color separations.
Direct or monitor work of press crews.
Download completed jobs to archive media so that questions can be answered or jobs replicated.
Control workflow scheduling or job tracking, using computer database software.
Set up or operate auxiliary equipment, such as cutting, folding, plate-making, drilling, or laminating machines.

Work Styles

Achievement/Effort

Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Persistence

Initiative

Leadership

Cooperation

Concern for Others

Social Orientation

Self-Control

Stress Tolerance

Adaptability/Flexibility

Dependability

Attention to Detail

Integrity

Independence

Innovation

Analytical Thinking

Data Source: This page includes information from the O*NET 30.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This page includes Employment Projections program, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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