What does a press operator do?
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. Press operators must have a comprehensive knowledge of the mechanical industry and the ability to work under pressure and strict deadlines.
Press operator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real press operator resumes:
- Work on the assembly line making tire covers for Honda and Toyota.
- Maintain SPC records using a bore gauge and calipers.
- Ensure quality of parts produce per ISO-9000 standards through the use of calipers, micrometers, and several custom-made gauges.
- Maintain strict quality requirements using scales, calipers and micrometers.
- Adjust colors to become PMS accurate, with gradations.
- Assist fab with mig welding.
- metal finisher, and riveter and MIG welder.
- Put a retainer on by using metal clips.
Press operator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 12% of Press Operators are proficient in Quality Standards, Press Machine, and Quality Checks. They’re also known for soft skills such as Computer skills, Dexterity, and Mechanical skills.
We break down the percentage of Press Operators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Quality Standards, 12%
Handled customer projects with no direct supervision, observing print quality and adjusting machinery as necessary to reach quality standards.
- Press Machine, 9%
Perform setup duties and assist operating corrugated press machinery.
- Quality Checks, 8%
Monitored system operation, documented repairs, performed quality checks of equipment, and ordered materials using data entry program
- Preventative Maintenance, 8%
Perform required preventative maintenance procedures to press in order to maintain quality parts utilizing safety and operation procedures.
- Safety Guidelines, 5%
Ensured company safety guidelines were followed by all associates.
- Digital Press, 4%
Performed entry-level maintenance on Xerox and Cannon high-volume digital presses.
Most press operators use their skills in "quality standards," "press machine," and "quality checks" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential press operator responsibilities here:
Computer skills. The most essential soft skill for a press operator to carry out their responsibilities is computer skills. This skill is important for the role because "metal and plastic machine workers must be able to use programmable devices, computers, and robots on the factory floor." Additionally, a press operator resume shows how their duties depend on computer skills: "operate punch press, a computer numeric controlled (cnc) machine. "
Mechanical skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of press operators is mechanical skills. This skill is critical to many everyday press operator duties, as "these workers must be comfortable with machines and have a good understanding of how all the parts work." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "operated multiple color presses operated mechanical paper cutter"
Physical strength. For certain press operator responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "physical strength." The day-to-day duties of a press operator rely on this skill, as "metal and plastic machine workers must be able to secure and tighten heavy fixtures into place." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what press operators do: "perform and document required visual and physical quality inspections as indicated by control plan/operator check sheet. "
The three companies that hire the most press operators are:
- ProAmpac2 press operators jobs
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Compare different press operators
Press operator vs. Machine operator/forklift operator
A machine operator/forklift operator is responsible for operating industrial trucks to move merchandise around the warehouse facilities and other assigned areas. Machine operators/forklift operators also assist with inventory tasks by scanning orders and ensuring the correct merchandise for shipment. They manage the stability of the vehicles, ensuring its efficiency and optimization during operations, performing engine repairs for any inconsistencies to avoid delays on deliveries. A machine operator/forklift operator should strictly follow the safety protocols of the business, as well as have knowledge of the mechanical industry.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a press operator are more likely to require skills like "safety guidelines," "digital press," "press operation," and "offset printing." On the other hand, a job as a machine operator/forklift operator requires skills like "safety standards," "drive forklift," "load trucks," and "electric pallet jack." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Machine operator/forklift operators tend to make the most money working in the automotive industry, where they earn an average salary of $36,711. In contrast, press operators make the biggest average salary, $38,166, in the automotive industry.On average, machine operator/forklift operators reach similar levels of education than press operators. Machine operator/forklift operators are 0.4% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Press operator vs. Product coordinator
A Product Coordinator performs general clerical-related duties to support production managers, producers, and directors. They arrange off-sed productions, organize talent travel and meetings, control scheduling and calendars, maintain track billing and budgets, and make direct calls and take messages. These professionals program and supervise seminars and events. Besides assisting with campaign advertising and managing production assistants, and directing their day-to-day activities, production coordinators also coordinate production programs for print publications, online publications, television shows, and films.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real press operator resumes. While press operator responsibilities can utilize skills like "press machine," "quality checks," "preventative maintenance," and "safety guidelines," product coordinators use skills like "customer service," "product development," "data entry," and "excellent organizational."
Product coordinators earn a higher average salary than press operators. But product coordinators earn the highest pay in the hospitality industry, with an average salary of $55,718. Additionally, press operators earn the highest salaries in the automotive with average pay of $38,166 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Product coordinators tend to reach similar levels of education than press operators. In fact, they're 4.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Press operator vs. Technical machine operator
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a press operator is likely to be skilled in "press machine," "safety guidelines," "digital press," and "press operation," while a typical technical machine operator is skilled in "basic math," "safety procedures," "math," and "safety regulations."
Technical machine operators earn the highest salary when working in the manufacturing industry, where they receive an average salary of $35,834. Comparatively, press operators have the highest earning potential in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $38,166.When it comes to education, technical machine operators tend to earn similar degree levels compared to press operators. In fact, they're 0.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Press operator vs. Machine set up operator
Types of press operator
Updated January 8, 2025
