What does a printer technician do?

The printer technician primarily does the installation of new printers. Proper printer configuration on the network ensures and maintains the function of individual printers, scanners, or network printers. The printer technician regularly takes care and does routine repairs, including printer replacements of new ink cartridges. They are also comfortable copying, faxing, producing images, and other related printer issues. It is part of their responsibility to identify and resolve malfunctions, procurement, including the installation of those parts and resolving hardware failures.
Printer technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real printer technician resumes:
- Manage paperwork associate with HVAC procedures.
- Perform installation, support, and service on Lexmark and Hewlett Packard laser printers predominately for automotive dealerships.
- Operate Stahl and Baum continuous feed folders.
- Earn technical certifications with both Epson and Okidata.
- Network customer's POS terminals to company's network.
- Used pneumatic screen-printing machine, uv dryers, and automatic screen printers.
- Make documentation of the serial numbers of the printers and the IP address used.
- Provide for customer's network infrastructure and cost analysis, software and hardware upgrade solutions.
- Configure printers with set firmware, printer settings, and put every printer with static IP addresses.
- Scan large volume documents into PDF files to be burned onto CD's and ship with print output.
- Process PDF files that come in via FTP, e-mail, delivery, walk in, or other method.
- Order and replace parts where need, also assist in restoring software, and adding printers to the users OS.
- Set up machines that automatically perform bindery operations, such as folding, cutting, gathering, stitching and gluing.
- Authorize Toshiba and Panasonic dealer.
- Provide service and preventative maintenance on Toshiba copiers.
Printer technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 12% of Printer Technicians are proficient in Latent Prints, Troubleshoot, and Preventative Maintenance. They’re also known for soft skills such as Listening skills, Problem-solving skills, and Speaking skills.
We break down the percentage of Printer Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Latent Prints, 12%
Recognized developed latent prints during each processing method and ensured their proper preservation using appropriate methods as defined by the government.
- Troubleshoot, 10%
Corresponded directly with customers to troubleshoot problems and needs and provided exceptional customer service.
- Preventative Maintenance, 10%
Perform preventative maintenance procedures on all assigned equipment.
- Provide Technical Assistance, 8%
Provide technical assistance to computer/printer users.
- Post Processing, 6%
Operated and maintained Gunther Post Processing machine.
- Quality Standards, 4%
Streamline forensic activities to maximize throughput while maintaining strict high quality standards.
Common skills that a printer technician uses to do their job include "latent prints," "troubleshoot," and "preventative maintenance." You can find details on the most important printer technician responsibilities below.
Listening skills. One of the key soft skills for a printer technician to have is listening skills. You can see how this relates to what printer technicians do because "support workers must be able to understand the problems that their customers are describing and know when to ask questions to clarify the situation." Additionally, a printer technician resume shows how printer technicians use listening skills: "communicated with ncr help desk and project managers throughout the day. "
Problem-solving skills. Another essential skill to perform printer technician duties is problem-solving skills. Printer technicians responsibilities require that "support workers must identify both simple and complex computer problems, analyze them, and solve them." Printer technicians also use problem-solving skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "assess, troubleshoot and provide permanent solutions to problems related to printers and or copiers. "
Speaking skills. printer technicians are also known for speaking skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to printer technician responsibilities, because "support workers must describe the solutions to computer problems in a way that a nontechnical person can understand." A printer technician resume example shows how speaking skills is used in the workplace: "managed incoming and outgoing inventory dealt with customer orders and cost of goods sold performed accurate financial transactions addressed customer complaints"
Writing skills. A big part of what printer technicians do relies on "writing skills." You can see how essential it is to printer technician responsibilities because "strong writing skills are useful for preparing instructions and email responses for employees and customers, as well as for real-time web chat interactions." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical printer technician tasks: "service writing/sales general maintenance and repairs maintaining a clean shop"
Customer-service skills. A commonly-found skill in printer technician job descriptions, "customer-service skills" is essential to what printer technicians do. Printer technician responsibilities rely on this skill because "computer support specialists must be patient and sympathetic." You can also see how printer technician duties rely on customer-service skills in this resume example: "managed specialty printing orders on a variety of surfaces to customer specifications. "
The three companies that hire the most printer technicians are:
- Pacific Office Automation6 printer technicians jobs
- B. Braun Medical5 printer technicians jobs
- Berry Global4 printer technicians jobs
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Printer technician vs. Technical internship
In a technical internship, the responsibilities will vary according to the organization or industry. Despite this, most of the tasks will revolve around accomplishing tasks or directives handed out by managers or supervisors, which might include duties such as researching and analyzing, crafting new ideas from scratch, assisting other personnel, and sharing insights during discussions. One may also have to create or improve systems, detect issues, provide solutions, and maintain an active communication line with team members.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a printer technician are more likely to require skills like "latent prints," "provide technical assistance," "post processing," and "additive manufacturing." On the other hand, a job as a technical internship requires skills like "python," "java," "patients," and "c++." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Technical interns earn the highest salaries when working in the telecommunication industry, with an average yearly salary of $44,775. On the other hand, printer technicians are paid more in the technology industry with an average salary of $38,757.The education levels that technical interns earn slightly differ from printer technicians. In particular, technical interns are 3.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a printer technician. Additionally, they're 0.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Printer technician vs. Technical specialist
The role of technical specialists is to provide technical support for applications and programs to staff members and customers within an organization. They train staff and customers on products and apps and offer advice on the best practices for utilizing technical programs and applications. They also design training materials to teach other staff members the most effective methods of using its technology. It is also their job to reduce company costs by looking for ways to improve productivity and lessen expenses.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, printer technician responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "latent prints," "troubleshoot," "preventative maintenance," and "provide technical assistance." Meanwhile, a technical specialist has duties that require skills in areas such as "customer service," "technical support," "patients," and "project management." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, technical specialists earn a higher salary than printer technicians. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, technical specialists earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $92,419. Whereas printer technicians have higher pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $38,757.technical specialists earn higher levels of education than printer technicians in general. They're 7.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Printer technician vs. Technical associate
The duties of a technical associate depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around installing and repairing software and applications, troubleshooting, and conducting regular tests and maintenance to ensure smooth workflow. They must also handle and address inquiries or concerns from clients, resolving them promptly and professionally. Moreover, a technical associate mostly works under the directives of a manager or a more experienced staff; they usually coordinate with team members and produce progress reports.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, printer technicians are more likely to have skills like "latent prints," "troubleshoot," "preventative maintenance," and "provide technical assistance." But a technical associate is more likely to have skills like "customer service," "java," "patients," and "data analysis."
Technical associates earn the highest salary when working in the internet industry, where they receive an average salary of $95,508. Comparatively, printer technicians have the highest earning potential in the technology industry, with an average salary of $38,757.When it comes to education, technical associates tend to earn higher degree levels compared to printer technicians. In fact, they're 9.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.9% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Printer technician vs. Technician support tier
A technician support tier focuses on providing technical support to clients or employees within a company. Typically working in a team setting, a technician support tier addresses technical problems and troubleshoots to identify the root of the issues and perform necessary corrective measures or repairs. Their responsibilities also revolve around responding to inquiries, answering calls and correspondence, conducting regular maintenance of systems and networks, maintaining records of all transactions, and supporting software and networks. Furthermore, it is essential to coordinate with all team members while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.
Types of printer technician
Updated January 8, 2025











