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Printing Press Operators Occupation Detailed Description

Printing Press Operators career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Printing Press Operators

The main tasks and work activities of Printing Press Operators are to 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. In general, for the Printing Press Operators, quality Control Analysis, operation Monitoring, operation and Control, monitoring and other 12 skills are required.
Printing Press Operators Job Description
EducationThese occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Related ExperienceSome previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Job TrainingEmployees 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.
ExampleThese occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, and tellers.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Printing Press Operators jobs. 73.17% of Printing Press Operators have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 19.46% of Printing Press Operators have Post-Secondary Certificate.
Less than a High School Diploma
1.22%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
73.17%
Post-Secondary Certificate
19.46%
Some College Courses
6.15%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
0.00%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
0.00%

Tasks and Work Activities of Printing Press Operators

  • Adjust digital files to alter print elements, such as fonts, graphics, or color separations.
  • Adjust ink fountain flow rates.
  • Change press plates, blankets, or cylinders, as required.
  • Clean ink fountains, plates, or printing unit cylinders when press runs are completed.
  • Clean or oil presses or make minor repairs, using hand tools.
  • Collect and inspect random samples during print runs to identify any necessary adjustments.
  • Download or scan files to be printed, using printing production software.
  • Examine job orders to determine quantities to be printed, stock specifications, colors, or special printing instructions.
  • Feed paper through press cylinders and adjust feed and tension controls.
  • Input production job settings into workstation terminals that control automated printing systems.
  • Load presses with paper and make necessary adjustments, according to paper size.
  • Monitor automated press operation systems and respond to fault, error, or alert messages.
  • Obtain or mix inks and fill ink fountains.
  • Secure printing plates to printing units and adjust tolerances.
  • Start presses and pull proofs to check for ink coverage and density, alignment, and registration.
  • Verify that paper and ink meet the specifications for a given job.
  • Control workflow scheduling or job tracking, using computer database software.
  • Direct or monitor work of press crews.
  • Download completed jobs to archive media so that questions can be answered or jobs replicated.
  • Maintain time or production records.
  • Controlling Machines and ProcessesUsing either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
  • Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkDeveloping specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
  • Scheduling Work and ActivitiesScheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
  • Handling and Moving ObjectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • Monitor Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsMonitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentServicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
  • Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentRunning, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
  • Training and Teaching OthersIdentifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
  • 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.
  • Lubricate production equipment.
  • Collect samples of materials or products for testing.
  • Inspected printed materials or other images to verify quality.
  • Download data.
  • Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences.
  • Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements.
  • 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.
  • Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment.
  • Operate photographic developing or print production equipment.
  • Evaluate quality of materials or products.
  • Direct operational or production activities.
  • Record operational or production data.

Skills and Abilities for Printing Press Operators

  • Quality Control AnalysisConducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
  • Operation MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Operation and ControlControlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Time ManagementManaging one's own time and the time of others.
  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Active ListeningGiving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • RepairingRepairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
  • Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • TroubleshootingDetermining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
  • Equipment MaintenancePerforming routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
  • Complex Problem SolvingIdentifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • CoordinationAdjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Control PrecisionThe ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Manual DexterityThe ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Arm-Hand SteadinessThe ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Finger DexterityThe ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
  • Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Written ComprehensionThe ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Speech ClarityThe ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • VisualizationThe ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
  • Information OrderingThe ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Multilimb CoordinationThe ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
  • Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Visual Color DiscriminationThe ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
  • Perceptual SpeedThe ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
  • Far VisionThe ability to see details at a distance.
  • Flexibility of ClosureThe ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
  • Adjustable wrenchese.g. Adjustable crescent wrenches
  • Adjustable wrenchese.g. Adjustable wrenches
  • Air dryerse.g. Air knives
  • Hex keyse.g. Allen wrenches
  • Paper jogging machinese.g. Back joggers
  • Ball peen hammere.g. Ball peen hammers
  • Hoistse.g. Chain hoists
  • Claw hammere.g. Claw hammers
  • Printing collators or decollatorse.g. Collating equipment
  • Scannerse.g. Color separation scanners
  • Conductivity meterse.g. Conductivity indicators
  • Printing cutterse.g. Cutting equipment
  • Densitometerse.g. Densitometers
  • Desktop computerse.g. Desktop computers
  • Digital camerase.g. Digital cameras
  • Photocopierse.g. Digital copiers
  • Letterpress equipmente.g. Digital letterpresses
  • Printing pressese.g. Digital printing presses
  • Punches or nail sets or driftse.g. Drift punches
  • Scannerse.g. Drum scanners
  • MechanicalKnowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • Production and ProcessingKnowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.