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What does a screen printer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
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Screen printer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real screen printer resumes:

  • Handle burning and reclaiming of screens, and printing on a manual and automatic press.
  • Help run the screen department print on automatic press pull shirts run a sock machine do warehouse embroidery run a plastic welder
  • Operate machinery in production process, assist machine operators, troubleshoot machinery and repair as needed, monitor the production process.
  • Strived for lowest number of QA rejects everyday.
  • Formulate and mix UV and conventional inks for orders.
  • Mix UV and solvent inks, read and follow job order papers.
  • Assist in shop maintenance duties such as screen printing, preparation and reclaiming.
  • Clean equipment including removing ink from screens, squeegees, press & tools.
  • Pour ink into pans, and smooth paint onto stencils, using flat-blade knives.
  • Used PMS color matching for ink mixing, revamp and organize entire artwork filing system
  • Set up, tear down and run t-shirts and other apparel items on press.
  • Collate, fold, spiral bind, saddle-stitch and shrink wrap orders as needed.
  • Weed vinyl and cover with transfer paper, clean showroom, office, screen printing area and embroidery area.
  • Design apparel per client specifications.
  • Verify apparel orders; complete intake procedures.

Screen printer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 11% of Screen Printers are proficient in Apparel, Reclaiming, and Manual Press.

We break down the percentage of Screen Printers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Apparel, 11%

    Personalize high visibility and safety apparel for clients nationwide- Customize clothing and accessories using Embroidery.- Familiar with inventory software.

  • Reclaiming, 8%

    Screen Printer * Press set-up, mixing of ink, cutting printed product * Screen reclaiming & exposing * Screen stretching

  • Manual Press, 7%

    Wholesale printing for retail stores using proper chemical usage and repetitive motion on automatic and manual presses

  • Embroidery, 7%

    Create custom vinyl, screen print, and embroidery artwork/media files using Adobe Illustrator and other related programs.

  • Silk Screen, 6%

    Screen Printing, Maintain clean organized shop, properly store chemicals, make silk screens, finish duties as needed.

  • Automatic Press, 5%

    Operated an automatic press machine, maintained print equipment including performing troubleshooting technical problems and cleaning the machines.

Most screen printers use their skills in "apparel," "reclaiming," and "manual press" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential screen printer responsibilities here:

Most common screen printer skills

The three companies that hire the most screen printers are:

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Compare different screen printers

Screen printer vs. Compositor

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.

The annual salary of compositors is $14,791 higher than the average salary of screen printers.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a screen printer are more likely to require skills like "r," "apparel," "reclaiming," and "manual press." On the other hand, a job as a compositor requires skills like "vfx," "visual effects," "animation," and "cg." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Compositors tend to reach higher levels of education than screen printers. In fact, compositors are 5.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Screen printer vs. Pressman

A pressman is responsible for maintaining the printing press operations, maintaining the efficiency of the equipment and machinery to produce high-quality outputs. Pressmen ensure the readability and completeness of the content before distribution. They must be knowledgeable of the mechanical industry, spotting inconsistencies with the equipment, and performing immediate repairs or component replacement to avoid delays in operation. A pressman works closely with other printing operators to ensure that the outputs meet the clients' specifications and business' printing guidelines.

A career as a pressman brings a higher average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a screen printer. In fact, pressmen salary is $9,684 higher than the salary of screen printers per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both screen printers and pressmen have skills such as "quality standards," "pms," and "print quality. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that screen printer responsibilities requires skills like "r," "apparel," "reclaiming," and "manual press." But a pressman might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "safety regulations," "preventative maintenance," "web press," and "multi."

In general, pressmen achieve similar levels of education than screen printers. They're 0.4% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Screen printer vs. Print production specialist

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.

An average print production specialist eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of screen printers. The difference in salaries amounts to print production specialists earning a $2,792 higher average salary than screen printers.screen printers and print production specialists both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "quality standards," "graphic design," and "customer orders," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from screen printer resumes include skills like "r," "apparel," "reclaiming," and "manual press," whereas a print production specialist is more likely to list skills 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, screen printers have the highest earning potential in the utilities industry, with an average salary of $49,409.When it comes to education, print production specialists tend to earn similar degree levels compared to screen printers. In fact, they're 3.9% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Screen printer vs. Flexographic press operator

Flexographic press operators tend to earn a higher pay than screen printers by an average of $8,420 per year.While both screen printers and flexographic press operators complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like quality standards, print design, and pms, the two careers vary in some skills.

Even though a few skill sets overlap between screen printers and flexographic press operators, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a screen printer might have more use for skills like "r," "apparel," "reclaiming," and "manual press." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of flexographic press operators require skills like "basic math," "flexo," "general maintenance," and "troubleshoot. "

Flexographic press operators enjoy the best pay in the transportation industry, with an average salary of $44,049. For comparison, screen printers earn the highest salary in the utilities industry.In general, flexographic press operators hold similar degree levels compared to screen printers. Flexographic press operators are 2.0% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of screen printer

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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