Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Printing Press Operators
Printing Press Operators set up and operate digital, letterpress, lithographic, flexographic, gravure, or other printing machines. Includes short-run offset printing presses.
Table of contents
What they do
Printing Press Operators set up and operate digital, letterpress, lithographic, flexographic, gravure, or other printing machines. Includes short-run offset printing presses.
- Collect and inspect random samples during print runs to identify any necessary adjustments.
- Examine job orders to determine quantities to be printed, stock specifications, colors, or special printing instructions.
- Verify that paper and ink meet the specifications for a given job.
- Start presses and pull proofs to check for ink coverage and density, alignment, and registration.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Printing Press Operators collect and inspect random samples during print runs to identify any necessary adjustments. They adjust ink fountain flow rates.
A typical day for a Printing Press Operator will also include:
- 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.
- Secure printing plates to printing units and adjust tolerances.
- Clean or oil presses or makes minor repairs, using hand tools.
- Verify that paper and ink meet the specifications for a given job.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Printing Press Operators also monitor inventory levels on a regular basis, ordering or requesting additional supplies, as necessary. They may also monitor environmental factors, such as humidity and temperature, that may impact equipment performance and make necessary adjustments.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Printing Press Operators clean or oil presses or make minor repairs, using hand tools. They might also adjust digital files to alter print elements, such as fonts, graphics, or color separations.
In addition, they set up or operate auxiliary equipment, such as cutting, folding, plate-making, drilling, or laminating machines.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them adjust ink fountain flow rates.
To some Printing Press Operators, it is also their responsibility to clean ink fountains, plates, or printing unit cylinders when press runs are completed.
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
55% said they were satisfied with their job and 27% said they found their job meaningful.
Pros
Suitable for people who like practical and hands-on work.
Suitable for people who want to work in a supportive work environment.
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.
It is not too difficult to get into this career. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to help and teach others.
One of the lowest paying jobs.
Demand for this career is declining.
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Printing Press Operators with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $25,120 to $29,940 per year or $12 to $14 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $60,040 | $29 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $48,480 | $23 |
| Median | $37,880 | $18 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $29,940 | $14 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $25,120 | $12 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Printing Press Operators based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Executive Branch | $104410 | $50.20 |
| Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations | $54140 | $26.03 |
| Local Government | $53600 | $25.77 |
| Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing | $51630 | $24.82 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | $50610 | $24.33 |
| Office Administrative Services | $49670 | $23.88 |
| Educational Support Services | $48420 | $23.28 |
| Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing | $47840 | $23.00 |
| Computer Systems Design and Related Services | $46800 | $22.50 |
| Other Furniture Related Product Manufacturing | $46580 | $22.39 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Printing Press Operators work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Printing Press Operators including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Printing and Related Support Activities | 95340 | $40030 | $19.24 |
| Converted Paper Product Manufacturing | 10610 | $43610 | $20.96 |
| Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers | 8520 | $41570 | $19.99 |
| Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services | 6830 | $39710 | $19.09 |
| Plastics Product Manufacturing | 5900 | $40310 | $19.38 |
| Employment Services | 4210 | $34380 | $16.53 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods | 3110 | $39260 | $18.88 |
| Business Support Services | 2160 | $37570 | $18.06 |
| Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 2060 | $37350 | $17.96 |
| Specialized Design Services | 1880 | $39140 | $18.82 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
How often do you use email in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
How often do you have group discussions in this job?
Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Printing Management
Graphic and Printing Equipment Operator Production
Printing Press Operator
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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