Careers · Explore one path
Printing Press Operators
Set up and operate digital, letterpress, lithographic, flexographic, gravure, or other printing machines. Includes short-run offset printing presses.
Other titles employers use
Digital Press Operator · Flexographic Press Operator · Offset Press Operator · Offset Pressman · Press Operator · Pressman · Printer · Printing Press Operator
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Start presses and pull proofs to check for ink coverage and density, alignment, and registration.
- Examine job orders to determine quantities to be printed, stock specifications, colors, or special printing instructions.
- Adjust ink fountain flow rates.
- Verify that paper and ink meet the specifications for a given job.
- Collect and inspect random samples during print runs to identify any necessary adjustments.
- Feed paper through press cylinders and adjust feed and tension controls.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to organizing and practical work.
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Quality Control Analysis
- Operations Monitoring
- Monitoring
- Operation and Control
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
Subjects to know
- Mechanical
- Production and Processing
Useful strengths
- Near Vision
- Control Precision
- Problem Sensitivity
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Manual Dexterity
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.0 | Largely your own space |
| On your feet | 4.4 | Standing or moving for most of it |
| Talking face to face | 4.6 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 4.7 | Handling tools, instruments or materials |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a high school diploma. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- High school or less 74%
- A certificate or some college 26%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Desktop publishing software
- Document management software
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Electronic mail software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Word processing software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 11,400
- Job openings each year
- 1,110
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- −16.2%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 11,400 | 1,110 | −16.2% |
| Texas | 10,200 | 1,110 | 7.0% |
| Illinois | 9,570 | 1,000 | −3.0% |
| Florida | 7,770 | 840 | 4.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 7,720 | 790 | −5.6% |
| Wisconsin | 7,590 | 800 | — |
| New York | 6,190 | 0 | −16.9% |
| Minnesota | 5,890 | 620 | −3.1% |
| Missouri | 5,140 | 550 | 1.2% |
| Indiana | 4,650 | 480 | −6.8% |
| Georgia | 4,600 | 480 | −4.8% |
| Michigan | 4,500 | 460 | −8.4% |
| North Carolina | 4,500 | 480 | — |
| Tennessee | 4,110 | 440 | 1.5% |
| New Jersey | 3,500 | 360 | −4.4% |
| Virginia | 3,140 | 310 | −10.5% |
| Arizona | 2,770 | 300 | 5.3% |
| Kansas | 2,750 | 280 | −4.8% |
| Washington | 2,730 | 280 | −1.1% |
| Kentucky | 2,710 | 280 | −5.9% |
| Utah | 2,530 | 280 | 10.5% |
| Alabama | 2,320 | 240 | — |
| Colorado | 2,290 | 240 | −3.0% |
| Iowa | 2,200 | 230 | −3.1% |
| South Carolina | 2,020 | 210 | −4.7% |
| Nebraska | 1,870 | 200 | 5.6% |
| Connecticut | 1,530 | 150 | −18.2% |
| Arkansas | 1,500 | 150 | −6.8% |
| Nevada | 1,470 | 160 | 2.8% |
| Oklahoma | 1,350 | 140 | −5.6% |
| Oregon | 1,310 | 130 | −9.7% |
| Maryland | 1,300 | 130 | −9.1% |
| Louisiana | 950 | 100 | −3.1% |
| Massachusetts | 830 | 90 | −4.6% |
| New Hampshire | 800 | 80 | −2.4% |
| Puerto Rico | 690 | 70 | −2.8% |
| Mississippi | 650 | 70 | 1.6% |
| Idaho | 640 | 70 | 8.5% |
| Rhode Island | 510 | 50 | −10.5% |
| South Dakota | 480 | 50 | — |
| District of Columbia | 460 | 50 | −6.1% |
| Maine | 450 | 50 | −2.2% |
| West Virginia | 370 | 40 | −7.5% |
| New Mexico | 350 | 40 | 2.9% |
| Delaware | 340 | 40 | — |
| Montana | 300 | 30 | — |
| North Dakota | 300 | 30 | −3.2% |
| Vermont | 280 | 30 | −6.7% |
| Wyoming | 120 | 10 | −7.7% |
| Alaska | 70 | 10 | — |
| Virgin Islands | 10 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Savannah College of Art and Design
- Degrees each year
- 524
- Admit rate
- 84%
- Annual cost after aid
- $49,000
Columbia College Chicago
- Degrees each year
- 212
- Admit rate
- 91%
- Annual cost after aid
- $26,000
Ringling College of Art and Design
- Degrees each year
- 124
- Admit rate
- 67%
- Annual cost after aid
- $55,000
Arizona State University Campus Immersion
- Degrees each year
- 92
- Admit rate
- 90%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
George Mason University
- Degrees each year
- 80
- Admit rate
- 89%
- Annual cost after aid
- $15,000
Art Center College of Design
- Degrees each year
- 79
- Admit rate
- 75%
- Annual cost after aid
- —
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
- Degrees each year
- 75
- Admit rate
- 30%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
University of Maryland Global Campus
- Degrees each year
- 64
- Admit rate
- Not reported
- Annual cost after aid
- —