Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Print Binding And Finishing Workers
Print Binding And Finishing Workers bind books and other publications or finish printed products by hand or machine. May set up binding and finishing machines.
Table of contents
What they do
Print Binding And Finishing Workers bind books and other publications or finish printed products by hand or machine. May set up binding and finishing machines.
- 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.
- Trim edges of books to size, using cutting machines, book trimming machines, or hand cutters.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Print Binding and Finishing Workers maintain records, such as daily production records, using specified forms. They read work orders to determine instructions and specifications for machine set-up.
A typical day for a Print Binding and Finishing Worker will also include:
- Set up or operate glue machines by filling glue reservoirs, turning switches to activate heating elements, or adjusting glue flow or conveyor speed.
- Set up or operate machines that perform binding operations, such as pressing, folding, or trimming.
- Insert book bodies in devices that form back edges of books into convex shapes and produce grooves that facilitate cover attachment.
- 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.
- Bind new books, using hand tools such as bone folders, knives, hammers, or brass binding tools.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Print Binding and Finishing Workers also design original or special bindings for limited editions or other custom binding projects. They may also form book bodies by folding and sewing printed sheets to form signatures and assembling signatures in numerical order.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Print Binding and Finishing Workers perform highly skilled hand finishing binding operations, such as grooving or lettering. They might also meet with clients, printers, or designers to discuss job requirements or binding plans.
In addition, they 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.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them imprint or emboss lettering, designs, or numbers on book covers, using gold, silver, or colored foil, and stamping machines.
To some Print Binding and Finishing Workers, it is also their responsibility to lubricate, clean, or make minor repairs to machine parts to keep machines in working condition.
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 outdoors.
It is easy to get into this career. Some 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 Print Binding And Finishing Workers with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $23,980 to $28,110 per year or $12 to $14 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $52,150 | $25 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $43,280 | $21 |
| Median | $34,260 | $16 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $28,110 | $14 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $23,980 | $12 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Print Binding And Finishing Workers based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Executive Branch | $86110 | $41.40 |
| Local Government | $54910 | $26.40 |
| State Government | $47950 | $23.05 |
| Computer Systems Design and Related Services | $42000 | $20.19 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods | $39260 | $18.88 |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools | $37930 | $18.24 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | $37670 | $18.11 |
| Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers | $37400 | $17.98 |
| Business Support Services | $36980 | $17.78 |
| Printing and Related Support Activities | $36400 | $17.50 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Print Binding And Finishing Workers work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Print Binding And Finishing Workers including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Printing and Related Support Activities | 34550 | $36400 | $17.50 |
| Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers | 1680 | $37400 | $17.98 |
| Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services | 1120 | $34340 | $16.51 |
| Converted Paper Product Manufacturing | 400 | $34290 | $16.49 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods | 310 | $39260 | $18.88 |
| Federal Executive Branch | 280 | $86110 | $41.40 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | 200 | $37670 | $18.11 |
| Business Support Services | 110 | $36980 | $17.78 |
| State Government | 100 | $47950 | $23.05 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 80 | $34610 | $16.64 |
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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
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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