What does a press operator printing do?
A Printing Press Operator works on operating the printing machine of a publishing house. This person has advanced knowledge in the printing process, the repair, maintenance, and operation of various printing presses and provides input in color, design, and layout. The operator needs to have an idea of paper types, the quality of raw printing materials, and their uses. This person has the final decision before actual printing, and the outcome of a project rests entirely on his/her shoulders at this stage.
Press operator printing responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real press operator printing resumes:
- Manage the WFF social media presence (Facebook, Instagram.
- Manage the Morgan Stanley corporate twitter feed, @ MorganStanley.
- Manage shop, warehouse & inventories, supervise employees, schedule production, maintain and run equipment when need.
- Operate RYOBI 3302M 2/c and Heidleberg GTO 46 1/c presses.
- Mark Andy - 2200 /10"and 13"eight/ten color presses.
- Set up and operate CI press.
- Used UV and heat resistant ink on all presses.
- Prepare jobs for production and run them on the press.
- Wash blankets and make plates, set up feeder and delivery.
- Maintain and repair GTO, roller settings, replace worn rollers.
- Utilize computer plus math skills for orders and tracking of running paper.
- Use of testing equipment to insure that print jobs are within ISO specifications.
- Perform other bindery tasks when require such as folding, scoring and collating.
- Help press operator in webbing press, washing blankets, cleaning and maintenance.
- Follow customer instructions for ink additives and fill out paperwork in accordance with GMP guidelines for traceability.
Press operator printing skills and personality traits
We calculated that 11% of Press Operators Printing are proficient in Quality Standards, Quality Checks, and Flexo. They’re also known for soft skills such as Computer skills, Dexterity, and Mechanical skills.
We break down the percentage of Press Operators Printing that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Quality Standards, 11%
Established and maintained excellent production and quality standards.
- Quality Checks, 9%
Make quality checks on the jobs as they run to ensure great customer service.
- Flexo, 6%
Operated the flexo machine, inventory, drove hi-lo, hand labor, baler.
- General Maintenance, 6%
Performed general maintenance work on various machines to ensure production standards were maintained which included preventive electrical maintenance work as well.
- Print Press, 5%
Operated print press to produce Argus Leader newspaper and advertisements
- Preventive Maintenance, 4%
Ensured press operation by completing preventive maintenance requirements.
Common skills that a press operator printing uses to do their job include "quality standards," "quality checks," and "flexo." You can find details on the most important press operator printing responsibilities below.
Computer skills. The most essential soft skill for a press operator printing 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 printing resume shows how their duties depend on computer skills: "use computer software to generate shipping labels, find specific customer orders and maintain production history. "
Mechanical skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of press operators printing is mechanical skills. This skill is critical to many everyday press operator printing 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: "set up and operate hydraulic and mechanical die press brakes, shear, and punch press machines. "
Physical strength. press operator printing responsibilities often require "physical strength." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "metal and plastic machine workers must be able to secure and tighten heavy fixtures into place." This resume example shows what press operators printing do with physical strength on a typical day: "operated 400 ton press operated overhead crane tested product for tensile strength"
The three companies that hire the most press operator printings are:
- RRD7 press operators printing jobs
- ProAmpac7 press operators printing jobs
- Randstad North America, Inc.7 press operators printing jobs
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Compare different press operators printing
Press operator printing vs. Roll tender
Compositors are the creators of a frame, shot, or sequence final image. They usually combine various digital elements to produce a believable picture. Following the direction of the style chosen for the set is part of these compositors' responsibilities. These workers create their visual effects and high-quality composites using special effects (SFX) like 2D and 3D animation and CGIs. They use these digital elements to create convincing shadows, enhance a picture's lighting, and static background plates.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, press operator printing responsibilities require skills like "quality standards," "flexo," "general maintenance," and "preventive maintenance." Meanwhile a typical roll tender has skills in areas such as "load rolls," "clean press," "hand tools," and "basic math." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Roll tenders really shine in the media industry with an average salary of $36,580. Comparatively, press operators printing tend to make the most money in the energy industry with an average salary of $44,109.On average, roll tenders reach similar levels of education than press operators printing. Roll tenders are 0.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Press operator printing vs. Compositor
A print production specialist is in charge of overseeing the daily printing operations of a company. Although the extent of their responsibilities depends on their place or industry of employment, it typically includes identifying and understanding the clients' needs, preparing and processing materials for printing, operating devices and equipment, reviewing document specifications, and maintaining an active communication line with staff. They must also communicate and assist clients by answering inquiries, offering suggestions and promotions, and resolving issues and concerns promptly and efficiently.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that press operator printing responsibilities requires skills like "quality standards," "quality checks," "flexo," and "general maintenance." But a compositor might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "vfx," "visual effects," "animation," and "cg."
In general, compositors achieve higher levels of education than press operators printing. They're 5.7% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Press operator printing vs. Print production specialist
A screen making technician performs installations and repairs to maintain the smooth flow of operations at manufacturing facilities. Their responsibilities typically include conducting measurements and assessments, setting guidelines, troubleshooting problems, gathering and analyzing data, and maintaining records of all procedures and adjustments. They must also maintain an active communication line with co-workers to ensure a safe and efficient work environment. Moreover, a screen making technician provides technical support to different teams while implementing company standards and regulations.
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 printing is likely to be skilled in "quality checks," "flexo," "general maintenance," and "print press," while a typical print production specialist is skilled in "production equipment," "billing purposes," "data entry," and "customer satisfaction."
Print production specialists earn the highest salary when working in the finance industry, where they receive an average salary of $56,138. Comparatively, press operators printing have the highest earning potential in the energy industry, with an average salary of $44,109.Most print production specialists achieve a similar degree level compared to press operators printing. For example, they're 3.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Press operator printing vs. Screen making technician
Types of press operator printing
Updated January 8, 2025
