Production
Printing Press Operators
Also called: Digital Press Operator, Flexographic Press Operator, Offset Press Operator, Offset Pressman
US median pay
$45,780
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
-8.7%
declining
Openings a year (US)
12,100
144,000 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
Set up and operate digital, letterpress, lithographic, flexographic, gravure, or other printing machines. Includes short-run offset printing presses.
What they do day to day
- 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.
- Monitor automated press operation systems and respond to fault, error, or alert messages.
- Load presses with paper and make necessary adjustments, according to paper size.
- Secure printing plates to printing units and adjust tolerances.
- Clean ink fountains, plates, or printing unit cylinders when press runs are completed.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Quality Control Analysis3.9/5
- Operations Monitoring3.6/5
- Operation and Control3.2/5
- Troubleshooting3.1/5
- Time Management3.1/5
- Repairing3.1/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1/5
- Equipment Maintenance3.1/5
Knowledge
- Mechanical3.8/5
- Production and Processing3.7/5
- Customer and Personal Service2.9/5
- English Language2.8/5
- Computers and Electronics2.8/5
- Mathematics2.7/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma73%
- Post-secondary certificate19%
Who this job suits
Mostly Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.