Description

Printing press operators set up and operate sheet and web-fed presses to print text, illustrations and designs on a wide variety of materials such as paper, plastic, glass, leather and metal. They are employed by commercial printing companies; newspapers, magazines, and other publishing companies; and establishments in the public and private sectors that have in-house printing departments. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

Job Titles

• Apprentice pressman/woman
• Assistant pressman/woman
• First pressman/woman
• Flexographic press operator
• Offset press operator
• Printing press operator
• Rotogravure pressman/woman – printing

Main Duties

• Review job orders to determine job specifications such as production time, colour sequence and quantities required, and advise press crew of these specifications
• Mount plates or cylinders and make necessary adjustments
• Fill ink fountains and take measurements, make adjustments and determine settings to control colour and viscosity
• Set up press and check samples for ink coverage, alignment and registration
• Monitor regular press runs for quality and consistency using computer control console and make adjustments as required
• Remove and clean plates and cylinders at end of press run
• Direct activities of press crew and ensure that safety procedures are adhered to.

Workplaces

• Commercial printing companies
• In-house printing departments of private and public sector establishments
• Publishing and printing companies

Skills

• Equipment and Tool Selection
• Instructing
• Operation and Control
• Operation Monitoring of Machinery and Equipment
• Preventative Maintenance

Abilities

• Colour Perception
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Auditory Attention
• Body Flexibility
• Control of Settings

Personal Attributes

• Analytical Thinking
• Attention to Detail
• Independence
• Stress Tolerance
• Active Learning

Similar Occupations

• Supervisors, printing and related occupations (72022)
• Screen printing artisan (in 53124.07 Weavers)

Source: OaSIS