Jobs / Physical work / 51-5112.00
Printing Press Operators
Set up and operate digital, letterpress, lithographic, flexographic, gravure, or other printing machines. Includes short-run offset printing presses.
- US jobs
- 144,260
- Median wage
- $45,780 a year
- Job family
- Physical work
Can agents do the work of printing press operators?
We read the evidence at the level of the job family, Physical work:
- Task levelUnexploredNo benchmark in our collection covers this work yet.
- Project levelUnexploredNo benchmark in our collection covers this work yet.
Unexplored territory
No benchmark in this atlas covers this work yet.
Typical tasks
From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.
- 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.
Other job titles for this occupation (80)
Digital Press Operator · Flexographic Press Operator · Offset Press Operator · Offset Pressman · Press Operator · Pressman · Printer · Printing Press Operator · Printing Pressman · Web Press Operator · Aniline Press Worker · Back Up Machine Operator · Backer · Bag Press Operator · Bag Printer · Balloon Design Printer · Bander and Liner Operator · Ben-Day Artist · Binding Printer · Block Printer · Box Press Operator · Box Printer · Calico Printer · Carton Stamper · Cellophane Press Operator · Cloth Printer · Cloth Printing Back Tender · Collating Machine Operator · Collator · Collator Operator · Copper Plate Printer · Coverer · Cut and Print Machine Operator · Cut Pressman · Cut-Press Operator · Cutting and Printing Machine Operator · Cylinder Press Operator · Design Printing Machine Set-Up Operator · Design Printing Machine Setter · Die Mounter · Die Stamping Press Operator · Digital Color Press Operator · Digital Print Operator · Digital Printer Operator · Digital Production Operator · Duplex Trimmer · Electrotype Caster · Electrotype Finisher · Electrotype Molder · Electrotyper · Embosser · Embossing Machine Operator · Embossing Press Operator · Embossograph Operator · Engraver Set-Up Operator · Engraving Press Operator · Engrosser · Flexo Operator · Flexo Press Operator · Flexographic Press Set-Up Operator · Flexographic Printing Press Operator · Floor Covering Printer · Folding Rules Printing Machine Operator · Galley Worker · Gilder · Glove Printer · Gold Leaf Printer · Gravure Press Operator · Gravure Press Set-Up Operator · Identification Printing Machine Setter · Ink Printer · Instant Print Operator · Job Press Operator · Job Printer · Kelly Machine Operator · Label Printer · Large Sheetfed Press Operator · Laser Printing Operator · Letterer · Letterpress Setter