Printing Press Operators

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Job Outlook:
None
Education: High school diploma or equivalent
Salary
High: $59,980.00
Average: $42,730.00
Hourly
Average: $20.55

What they do:

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

On the job, you would:

  • 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.

Personality

A3 Your Strengths Importance

Characteristics of this Career

88% Attention to Detail  -  Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
81% Dependability  -  Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
70% Independence  -  Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
70% Integrity  -  Job requires being honest and ethical.
68% Stress Tolerance  -  Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
67% Initiative  -  Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
67% Cooperation  -  Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
64% Persistence  -  Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
63% Adaptability/Flexibility  -  Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
61% Achievement/Effort  -  Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
58% Self-Control  -  Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
55% Leadership  -  Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
55% Concern for Others  -  Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
54% Analytical Thinking  -  Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
A3 Your Strengths Importance

Strengths

89% Realistic  -  Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
67% Conventional  -  Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

Aptitude

A3 Your Strengths Importance

Abilities | Cognitive, Physical, Personality

75% Near Vision  -  The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
63% Control Precision  -  The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
60% Problem Sensitivity  -  The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
56% Arm-Hand Steadiness  -  The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
56% Manual Dexterity  -  The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
53% Visualization  -  The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
53% Selective Attention  -  The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
53% Finger Dexterity  -  The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
53% Multilimb Coordination  -  The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
53% Speech Recognition  -  The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
53% Oral Comprehension  -  The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
53% Speech Clarity  -  The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
53% Written Comprehension  -  The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
53% Oral Expression  -  The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
53% Deductive Reasoning  -  The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
53% Information Ordering  -  The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
A3 Your Strengths Importance

Skills | Cognitive, Physical, Personality

52% Operations Monitoring  -  Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Job Details

Responsibilities
Program equipment to perform production tasks.
Adjust equipment controls to regulate flow of production materials or products.
Install mechanical components in production equipment.
Clean production equipment.
Clean production equipment.
Lubricate production equipment.
Inspected printed materials or other images to verify quality.
Collect samples of materials or products for testing.
Download data.
Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements.
Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences.
Feed materials or products into or through equipment.
Enter commands, instructions, or specifications into equipment.
Load materials into production equipment.
Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning.
Mix ingredients to create specific finishes.
Load materials into production equipment.
Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment.
Inspected printed materials or other images to verify quality.
Operate photographic developing or print production equipment.
Evaluate quality of materials or products.
Direct operational or production activities.
Direct operational or production activities.
Download data.
Record operational or production data.
Monitor environmental impacts of production or development activities.
Adjust equipment controls to regulate flow of production materials or products.
Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products.
Order materials, supplies, or equipment.
Operate cutting equipment.
A3 Your Strengths Importance

Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent

100% Indoors, Environmentally Controlled  -  How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
95% Time Pressure  -  How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
93% Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls  -  How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
93% Importance of Being Exact or Accurate  -  How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
90% Face-to-Face Discussions  -  How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
86% Exposed to Contaminants  -  How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
85% Spend Time Standing  -  How much does this job require standing?
82% Work With Work Group or Team  -  How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
80% Frequency of Decision Making  -  How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
78% Freedom to Make Decisions  -  How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
76% Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment  -  How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)
75% Structured versus Unstructured Work  -  To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?
75% Contact With Others  -  How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
74% Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets  -  How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets?
74% Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable  -  How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?
73% Spend Time Walking and Running  -  How much does this job require walking and running?
72% Responsible for Others' Health and Safety  -  How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
71% Coordinate or Lead Others  -  How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job?
71% Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions  -  How much does this job require making repetitive motions?
69% Exposed to Hazardous Equipment  -  How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?
69% Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results  -  What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
65% Importance of Repeating Same Tasks  -  How important is repeating the same physical activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and over, without stopping, to performing this job?
65% Exposed to Hazardous Conditions  -  How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?
58% Spend Time Bending or Twisting the Body  -  How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?
56% Responsibility for Outcomes and Results  -  How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?
53% Consequence of Error  -  How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not readily correctable?
51% Deal With External Customers  -  How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job?
71% Duration of Typical Work Week  -  Number of hours typically worked in one week.
A3 Your Strengths Importance

Tasks & Values

91% Controlling Machines and Processes  -  Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
84% Making Decisions and Solving Problems  -  Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
81% Getting Information  -  Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
79% Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work  -  Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
75% Scheduling Work and Activities  -  Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
74% Handling and Moving Objects  -  Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
74% Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings  -  Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
73% Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment  -  Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
73% Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment  -  Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
70% Training and Teaching Others  -  Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
69% Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials  -  Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
67% Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates  -  Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
67% Processing Information  -  Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
64% Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates  -  Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
63% Thinking Creatively  -  Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
63% Monitoring and Controlling Resources  -  Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
63% Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment  -  Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
63% Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships  -  Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
63% Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events  -  Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
63% Performing General Physical Activities  -  Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
62% Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge  -  Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
60% Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards  -  Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
59% Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others  -  Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
59% Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People  -  Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
59% Working with Computers  -  Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
58% Analyzing Data or Information  -  Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
58% Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others  -  Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
57% Coaching and Developing Others  -  Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
55% Assisting and Caring for Others  -  Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
54% Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information  -  Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
53% Documenting/Recording Information  -  Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
52% Communicating with People Outside the Organization  -  Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Getting Started

Education:
73%
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
19%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)

Information provided by CareerFitter, LLC and other sources.

Sections of this page includes information from the O*NET 27.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.

CareerFitter, LLC has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.