What Do Printing Press Operators Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Printing Press Operators set up and operate digital, letterpress, lithographic, flexographic, gravure, or other printing machines. Includes short-run offset printing presses. They also collect and inspect random samples during print runs to identify any necessary adjustments.

Other tasks include:

• 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.
• Change press plates, blankets, or cylinders, as required.
• Obtain or mix inks and fill ink fountains.
• Feed paper through press cylinders and adjust feed and tension controls.

We asked Printing Press Operators how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

---

55% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 27% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

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 make minor repairs, using hand tools.
• Verify that paper and ink meet the specifications for a given job.

We asked some Printing Press Operators a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	31% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	17% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	58% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	4% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	1% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	78% said yes

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.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Printing Press Operator, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends 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.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes515112.htm