CFChooseField
Production

Printing Press Operators

Set up and operate digital, letterpress, lithographic, flexographic, gravure, or other printing machines. Includes short-run offset printing presses.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Printing Press Operators
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Median pay

$45,160
Median annual pay for Printing Press Operators.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

-8.1%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

13,700
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

150,200
Estimated U.S. employment for Printing Press Operators in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

-12,200
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical additional preparation: Moderate-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Monitoring
  2. 2Active Listening
  3. 3Critical Thinking
  4. 4Reading Comprehension
  5. 5Speaking
  6. 6Active Learning

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Mechanical
  2. 2Production and Processing
  3. 3Customer and Personal Service
  4. 4English Language
  5. 5Computers and Electronics
  6. 6Mathematics

Abilities

  1. 1Near Vision
  2. 2Control Precision
  3. 3Problem Sensitivity
  4. 4Arm-Hand Steadiness
  5. 5Manual Dexterity
  6. 6Deductive Reasoning

Career interests

  1. 1Conventional
  2. 2Realistic
  3. 3Enterprising
  4. 4Artistic
  5. 5Social
  6. 6Investigative

Work styles

  1. 1Attention to Detail
  2. 2Dependability
  3. 3Cautiousness
  4. 4Achievement Orientation
  5. 5Perseverance
  6. 6Stress Tolerance

Work activities

  1. 1Controlling Machines and Processes
  2. 2Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  3. 3Getting Information
  4. 4Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
  5. 5Scheduling Work and Activities
  6. 6Handling and Moving Objects

Work context

  1. 1Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  2. 2Time Pressure
  3. 3Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
  4. 4Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
  5. 5Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  6. 6Exposed to Contaminants

Representative tasks

  • 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.

Software and tools

Adobe Acrobat · hot technologyAdobe Illustrator · hot technologyAdobe InDesign · hot technologySAP software · hot technologyAdobe Photoshop · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyMicrosoft Outlook · hot technologyMicrosoft Office software · hot technologyMicrosoft Excel · hot technologyAABACH Graphic Systems DIGRASqueegeeQuarkXPress

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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