How to hire a bindery operator

How to hire a bindery operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step bindery operator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a bindery operator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new bindery operator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a bindery operator do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a bindery operator, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A bindery operator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, bindery operators from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents bindery operator salaries for various positions.

   Type of Bindery Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Bindery Operator		$14-21
   Operator	Operators are skilled workers who are in charge of working on an industrial machine or a specific aspect of the manufacturing business. They are trained to operate machines, learning how to use them... Show more	$12-25
   Press Operator	A press operator is responsible for the maintenance of printing machines and other equipment to ensure smooth operations while meeting the clients' needs with the highest quality standards. Press operators duties' include performing troubleshooting, replacing defective machine components, upgrading the systems for efficiency, analyzing blueprints and instructional guides, determining product suitability, and inspecting irregularities before and after the use of press machines... Show more	$12-20

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Machine Operation
   • Collating
   • Hand Tools
   • Control Surfaces
   • Bindery Equipment
   • Troubleshoot
   • Quality Standards
   • Math
   • Stitching
   • Paper Cutters
   • Basic Math
   • Due Dates
   • Paper Stock
   • Perform Routine Maintenance

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage mail heads, stackers and print pockets and train crew members on same.
   • Set up and run InkJet labeler to label newspapers and magazines.
   • Perform repairs and preventative maintenance on bindery machines, including cleaning, adjusting and oiling.
   • Require math and measuring skills.
   • Set up and run UV coating machine.
   • Set up and operate MBO and Stahl folders.

   More bindery operator duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your bindery operator job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A bindery operator salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a bindery operator in Alabama may be lower than in Minnesota, and an entry-level bindery operator usually earns less than a senior-level bindery operator. Additionally, a bindery operator with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average bindery operator salary

   $36,599yearly

   $17.60 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level bindery operator salary

   $30,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

   Average bindery operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Minnesota	$47,376	$23
   2	Virginia	$45,389	$22
   3	Illinois	$44,812	$22
   4	Oregon	$42,818	$21
   5	North Carolina	$42,483	$20
   6	Arizona	$40,012	$19
   7	Wisconsin	$39,316	$19
   8	Pennsylvania	$39,117	$19
   9	Tennessee	$38,877	$19
   10	Missouri	$38,497	$19
   11	Colorado	$38,342	$18
   12	Indiana	$38,232	$18
   13	Ohio	$38,222	$18
   14	Connecticut	$37,277	$18
   15	New Hampshire	$37,228	$18
   16	Georgia	$36,742	$18
   17	California	$36,382	$17
   18	Florida	$35,302	$17
   19	Nevada	$35,287	$17
   20	Iowa	$34,524	$17

   Average bindery operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Freedom Graphic Systems	$42,694	$20.53	3
   2	LSC Communications	$41,917	$20.15
   3	4over	$40,872	$19.65	12
   4	Publication Printers	$40,194	$19.32
   5	Thomson Reuters	$38,994	$18.75	5
   6	The Allied Group.	$38,741	$18.63
   7	Spectrum Marketing Companies	$38,052	$18.29	2
   8	EP Graphics	$37,755	$18.15
   9	WestRock	$37,748	$18.15	36
   10	Aflac	$37,299	$17.93
   11	Oliver	$37,186	$17.88	10
   12	Westside	$36,849	$17.72	1
   13	Fiserv	$36,266	$17.44	7
   14	Lahlouh	$36,246	$17.43	13
   15	Epsilon	$36,176	$17.39
   16	The Vomela Companies	$35,971	$17.29	4
   17	Cummings Printing	$35,845	$17.23
   18	baesman	$35,804	$17.21	2
   19	Jostens	$35,744	$17.18	1
   20	Source4	$35,731	$17.18

4. Writing a bindery operator job description

   A bindery operator job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a bindery operator job description:

   Bindery operator job description example

   
   Minimum Requirements
   • Must be 18 or older with a high school diploma or equivalent
   • 2 years previous Bindery Operator experience
   • Strong mechanical aptitude
   • Must be willing to rotate shifts, work over-time, nights and weekends as needed
   • Must be able to work in a team environment
   • Willingness and ability to take and follow directions from shift supervisor and crew leader
   • Strong attention to detail with the ability to read and interpret documents to include job tickets, safety rules, manuals, press imposition, and rule-up sheets
   • Must be able to add, subtract, multiply, and divide all units of measure
   • Must have basic electronic and computer keyboard knowledge
   • This position requires more than 7 hours of standing on feet and walking
   • Able to lift and bend for extended periods of time
   • Ability to visually identify product defects
   • Fill, lift, and stack cartons that weight up to 50 lbs. from floor to shoulder heights with or without reasonable accommodations with frequent repetition
   • Manufacturing environment with noise exposure to varying levels (Hearing protection provided)

   
   Disclaimer
   The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

   All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, age, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable laws or regulations.
   
   GPAC (Growing People and Companies) is an award-winning search firm specializing in placing quality professionals within multiple industries across the United States since 1990. We are extremely competitive, client-focused and realize that our value is in our ability to deliver the right solutions at the right time.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right bindery operator for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with bindery operators they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit bindery operators who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your bindery operator job on Zippia to find and recruit bindery operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting bindery operators requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new bindery operator

   Once you've selected the best bindery operator candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new bindery operator. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a bindery operator?