Printing Press Operator

Explore This Path

Perfect for those who love hands-on work with cutting-edge printing technology.
Bring vibrant designs to life, impacting industries from publishing to packaging.
Master the art of precision and creativity in a dynamic printing environment.

💰 Earn $37K-$57K

📚 High School Diploma or GED

⏱️ 6–12 MONTH TRAINING

📈 -9.5% JOB GROWTH

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What You’ll Do

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

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.

Scoop

Minimum Education

High School Diploma or GED

Career Prospects

Risky (Decreasing by 5% or more)

Training Time

6 months to 1 year

Job Openings

14,300 Annually

Median Earnings

$44,260 in California

$41,860 Nationally

$25K

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Real Talk Reel

Want to see what it's like to be a Printing Press Operator? We've curated a playlist for you to get a glimpse into a day in the life.

@print.work

Best For You If...

YOU Like 💕

Using data or completing tasks
Working with my hands

You are skilled in 💫

Critical Thinking
Speaking
Monitoring
Operation and Control
Operations Monitoring
Quality Control Analysis

You value 🙏

Accomplishing things
Having support
Having freedom

Deep Dive

Printing Press Operator

Explore career pathways, key skills, and what each role has to offer.

Pathways to this Career

Learn about the education and training paths that can lead to this career — and what to expect from each one.

Associate's Degree

An associate's degree typically provides graduates with foundational knowledge and skills for entry-level jobs in the graduate's industry, or serves as a stepping stone towards further education.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 2-3 years

Bachelor's Degree

A bachelor's degree typically results in increased knowledge about a variety of academic subjects, specialized knowledge in a focused field of study, and is considered the foundational qualification for many careers.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 4-5+ years

Vocational School

A vocational school typically equips students with specialized skills and practical training in specific trades or occupations, enhancing their employability and providing direct pathways to relevant careers.

🎓 Skills-Focused

⏱️ FINISH IN 6 months - 2 years