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Printing Press Operators - 51-5112.00

The occupation code you requested, 51-5023.00 (Printing Machine Operators), is no longer in use. In the future, please use 51-5112.00 (Printing Press Operators) instead.

O*NET-SOC Description

Set up and operate digital, letterpress, lithographic, flexographic, gravure, or other printing machines. Includes short-run offset printing presses.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

  • 1st Pressman
  • 2nd Pressman
  • Flexographic Press Operator
  • Offset Pressman
  • Press Leader
  • Press Operator
  • Pressman
  • Printer
  • Printing Press Operator
  • Printing Pressman

SOC Occupation Groups

51-0000 Production Occupations
51-5100 Printing Workers
51-5110 Printing Workers
51-5112.00 Printing Press Operators

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • Adjust digital files to alter print elements, such as fonts, graphics, or color separations.
  • Adjust ink fountain flow rates.
  • Change press plates, blankets, or cylinders, as required.
  • Clean ink fountains, plates, or printing unit cylinders when press runs are completed.
  • Clean or oil presses or make minor repairs, using hand tools.
  • Collect and inspect random samples during print runs to identify any necessary adjustments.
  • Control workflow scheduling or job tracking, using computer database software.
  • Direct or monitor work of press crews.
  • Download completed jobs to archive media so that questions can be answered or jobs replicated.
  • Download or scan files to be printed, using printing production software.
  • Examine job orders to determine quantities to be printed, stock specifications, colors, or special printing instructions.
  • Feed paper through press cylinders and adjust feed and tension controls.
  • Input production job settings into workstation terminals that control automated printing systems.
  • Load presses with paper and make necessary adjustments, according to paper size.
  • Maintain time or production records.
  • Monitor automated press operation systems and respond to fault, error, or alert messages.
  • Monitor environmental factors, such as humidity and temperature, that may impact equipment performance and make necessary adjustments.
  • Monitor inventory levels on a regular basis, ordering or requesting additional supplies, as necessary.
  • Obtain or mix inks and fill ink fountains.
  • Secure printing plates to printing units and adjust tolerances.
  • Set up or operate auxiliary equipment, such as cutting, folding, plate-making, drilling, or laminating machines.
  • Start presses and pull proofs to check for ink coverage and density, alignment, and registration.
  • Verify that paper and ink meet the specifications for a given job.

Detailed Work Activities

  • adjust production equipment/machinery setup
  • arrange galley setups of type
  • assure quality control in printing processes
  • attach or mark identification onto products or containers
  • clean equipment or machinery
  • collate printed materials
  • collect payment
  • demonstrate or explain assembly or use of equipment
  • determine film exposure settings
  • determine specifications
  • develop film or other photographic medium
  • direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
  • distinguish colors
  • examine products or work to verify conformance to specifications
  • fabricate printing plates
  • fabricate, assemble, or disassemble manufactured products by hand
  • identify color or balance
  • install equipment or attachments on machinery or related structures
  • load or unload material or workpiece into machinery
  • load, unload, or stack containers, materials, or products
  • maintain consistent production quality
  • maintain or repair industrial or related equipment/machinery
  • maintain production or work records
  • make independent judgment in assembly procedures
  • measure, weigh, or count products or materials
  • mix paint, ingredients, or chemicals, according to specifications
  • mix printing solutions
  • monitor production machinery/equipment operation to detect problems
  • move or fit heavy objects
  • operate bindery equipment
  • operate cameras
  • operate fabric printing equipment
  • operate graphic reproduction equipment
  • operate printing equipment/machinery
  • operate scanner
  • perform safety inspections in manufacturing or industrial setting
  • process photographic prints
  • proofread printed or written material
  • read production layouts
  • read specifications
  • read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
  • receive customer orders
  • restore photographs
  • retouch negatives or prints
  • set page layout or composition
  • set type in compositional sequence
  • set up production equipment or machinery
  • strip negatives
  • understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
  • use color analyzer
  • use densitometer
  • use desktop publishing software
  • use hand or power tools
  • use precision measuring tools or equipment

Military Crosswalk Titles

  • Basic Combat Camera Marine (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Combat Camera Production Specialist (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Lithographer (Army - Enlisted)
  • Lithographer (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Lithographer Tracking NEC (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Printing and Bindery Specialist (Army - Enlisted)

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

  • Assistant-Press Operator
  • Ben-Day Artist
  • Cylinder-Press Operator
  • Embosser
  • Embossing-Press Operator
  • Engraver, Machine
  • Engraving-Press Operator
  • Job Printer
  • Letterer (Professional and Kindred)
  • Lithograph Press Operator
  • Lithograph-Press Operator, Tinware
  • Offset Press Operator Dial
  • Offset-Press Operator I
  • Platen-Press Operator
  • Printer, Plastic
  • Printer-Slotter Operator
  • Proof-Press Operator
  • Rotogravure-Press Operator
  • Sketch Maker I (Printing and Publishing)
  • Steel-Die Printer
  • Wallpaper Printer I
  • Web-Press Operator

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Assistant Press Operator, Offset
  • Assistant-Press Operator
  • Back Tender, Cloth Printing
  • Bag Printer
  • Ben-Day Artist
  • Binding Printer
  • Box Printer
  • Braille Transcriber, Hand
  • Carton Marker, Machine
  • Cloth Printer
  • Computer Typesetter-Keyliner
  • Cylinder-Press Operator
  • Cylinder-Press-Operator Apprentice
  • Decorating-Equipment Setter
  • Decorating-Machine Operator
  • Design Printer, Balloon
  • Embosser
  • Embossing-Machine Operator
  • Embossing-Press Operator
  • Embossing-Press-Operator Apprentice
  • Embossograph Operator
  • Engraver, Machine
  • Engraving Press Operator
  • Engrosser
  • Form Designer
  • Glove Printer
  • Ink Printer
  • Instant Print Operator
  • Job Printer
  • Job-Printer Apprentice
  • Letterer
  • Line-Up Examiner
  • Lithograph-Press Operator, Tinware
  • Lithographic-Proofer Apprentice
  • Marker
  • Marking-Machine Operator
  • Microfiche Duplicator
  • Music Copyist
  • Music Grapher
  • Name-Plate Stamper
  • Offset-Duplicating-Machine Operator
  • Offset-Press Operator I
  • Offset-Press Operator II
  • Offset-Press-Operator Apprentice
  • Pantograph Setter
  • Platen-Press Feeder
  • Platen-Press Operator
  • Platen-Press-Operator Apprentice
  • Press Feeder
  • Print-Line Operator
  • Printer
  • Printer, Floor Covering
  • Printer, Machine
  • Printer, Plastic
  • Printer-Slotter Operator
  • Printing-Machine Operator, Folding Rules
  • Printing-Machine Operator, Tape Rules
  • Proof-Press Operator
  • Proofer, Prepress
  • Roller Operator
  • Rotary-Screen-Printing-Machine Operator
  • Rotogravure-Press Operator
  • Rubber-Printing-Machine Operator
  • Screen Maker, Photographic Process
  • Screen Maker, Textile
  • Screen-Printing-Equipment Setter
  • Screen-Printing-Machine Operator
  • Section Leader, Screen Printing
  • Silk-Screen Printer, Machine
  • Sketch Maker I
  • Sketch Maker, Photoengraving
  • Stamper II
  • Stamping-Press Operator
  • Steel-Die Printer
  • Strike-Off-Machine Operator
  • Striper
  • Striping-Machine Operator
  • Symbol Stamper, Semiconductor Packages
  • Tab-Card-Press Operator
  • Ticketer
  • Tip Printer
  • Type Copyist
  • Wad-Printing-Machine Operator
  • Wallpaper Printer I
  • Web-Press Operator
  • Web-Press-Operator Apprentice