Description:
Set up or operate various types of printing machines, such as offset, letterset, intaglio, or gravure presses or screen printers to produce print on paper or other materials.
Tasks
- Inspect and examine printed products for print clarity, color accuracy, conformance to specifications, and external defects.
- Push buttons, turn handles or move controls and levers to start and control printing machines.
- Reposition printing plates, adjust pressure rolls, or otherwise adjust machines to improve print quality, using knobs, handwheels, or hand tools.
- Set and adjust speed, temperature, ink flow, and positions and pressure tolerances of equipment.
- Examine job orders to determine details such as quantities to be printed, production times, stock specifications, colors, and color sequences.
- Select and install printing plates, rollers, feed guides, gauges, screens, stencils, type, dies, and cylinders in machines according to specifications, using hand tools.
- Monitor feeding, printing, and racking processes of presses to maintain specified operating levels and to detect malfunctions, making adjustments as necessary.
- Operate equipment at slow speed to ensure proper ink coverage, alignment, and registration.
- Load, position, and adjust unprinted materials on holding fixtures or in equipment loading and feeding mechanisms.
- Pour or spread paint, ink, color compounds, and other materials into reservoirs, troughs, hoppers, or color holders of printing units, making measurements and adjustments to control color and viscosity.
Knowledge
- Mechanical
- Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
- Production and Processing
- Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
- English Language
- Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Administration and Management
- Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
- Customer and Personal Service
- Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
- Education and Training
- Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
- Mathematics
- Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
- Chemistry
- Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
- Computers and Electronics
- Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
- Engineering and Technology
- Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Skills
- Operation and Control
- Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
- Operation Monitoring
- Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
- Troubleshooting
- Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
- Equipment Maintenance
- Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
- Reading Comprehension
- Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Quality Control Analysis
- Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
- Critical Thinking
- Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Equipment Selection
- Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
- Active Listening
- Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Time Management
- Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Abilities
- Near Vision
- The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
- Control Precision
- The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
- Trunk Strength
- The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
- Oral Comprehension
- The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Oral Expression
- The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- 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.
- Visual Color Discrimination
- The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
- 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.
- 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.
- Inductive Reasoning
- The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Work Activities
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
- Getting Information
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
- Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
- 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 of materials.
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- 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.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- 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.
Work Context
- 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?
- 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?
- Spend Time Standing
- How much does this job require standing?
- Exposed to Contaminants
- How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
- 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?
- Exposed to Hazardous Equipment
- How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?
- 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.)
- Exposed to Hazardous Conditions
- How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
Interests
- Realistic
- Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
- Conventional
- Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
- Enterprising
- Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
- Artistic
- Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
- Social
- Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
- Investigative
- Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Work Style
- Attention to Detail
- Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
- Dependability
- Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
- Stress Tolerance
- Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
- 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.
- Initiative
- Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
- Self Control
- Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
- Persistence
- Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
- Cooperation
- Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
- Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
- Achievement/Effort
- Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Work Value
- Support
- Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
- Relationships
- Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
- Independence
- Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employs to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
- Achievement
- Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
- Working Conditions
- Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
- Recognition
- Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
Common Lay Titles
- 1st Pressman
- 2nd Pressman
- 3rd Pressman
- Aniline Press Worker
- Assistant Offset Press Operator
- Back Up Machine Operator
- Backer
- Bag Press Operator
- Bag Printer
- Balloon Design Printer
- Batteryman
- Ben-Day Artist
- Binding Printer
- Block Printer
- Box Press Operator
- Box Printer
- Braille Transcriber
- Bronzer
- Calico Printer
- Carton Stamper
- Cellophane Press Operator
- Cloth Printer
- Cloth Printing Back Tender
- Collating Machine Operator
- Collator
- Collator Operator
- Computer Typesetter-Keyliner
- Copper Plate Printer
- Coverer
- Cut and Print Machine Operator
- Cut Pressman
- Cut-Press Operator
- Cutting and Printing Machine Operator
- Cylinder Press Operator
- Cylinder Press Operator Apprentice
- Decorating Equipment Setter
- Decorating Machine Operator
- Design Printing Machine Set-Up Operator
- Design Printing Machine Setter
- Devil Dog
- Die Mounter
- Die Stamping Press Operator
- Duplex Trimmer
- Electrotype Caster
- Electrotype Finisher
- Electrotype Molder
- Electrotyper
- Electrotyper Apprentice
- Embosser
- Embosser Apprentice
- Embossing Machine Operator
- Embossing Press Operator
- Embossing Press Operator Apprentice
- Embossograph Operator
- Engraver Set-Up Operator
- Engraving Press Operator
- Engrosser
- Feeder
- Flexographic Press Operator
- Flexographic Press Set-Up Operator
- Floor Covering Printer
- Folding Rules Printing Machine Operator
- Form Designer
- Forwarder
- Galley Worker
- Gilder
- Glove Printer
- Gold Blower
- Gold Layer
- Gold Leaf Printer
- Gravure Press Set-Up Operator
- Head Bander and Liner Operator
- Indentification Printing Machine Setter
- Ink Printer
- Instant Print Operator
- Journeyman Press Operator
- Journeyman Pressman
- Kelly Machine Operator
- Label Printer
- Letterer
- Letterpress Setter
- Letterset Press Set-Up Operator
- Line-Up Examiner
- Lithoduplicator Operator
- Lithograph Press Feeder
- Lithograph Press Operator
- Lithograph Printer
- Lithographic Proofer Apprentice
- Lithoplate Maker
- Machine Carton Marker
- Machine Engraver
- Machine Printer
- Machine Sign Writer
- Machine Silk Screen Printer
- Mandrel Press Hand
- Manufacturing Assistant
- Manufacturing Associate
- Manufacturing Operator
- Marbler
- Marker
- Marking Machine Operator
- Metal or Wood Blocker
- Microfiche Duplicator
- Mounter
- Music Copyist
- Music Grapher
- Name Plate Stamper
- Nipping Machine Operator
- Offset Duplicating Machine Operator
- Offset Duplicating Machine Set Up Operator
- Offset Lithographic Press Setter
- Offset Machine Operator
- Offset Press Operator
- Offset Pressman
- Offset Printer
- Offset-Press Operator
- Offset-Press Operator Apprentice
- Pantograph Setter
- Paper Products Printer
- Photo Offset Printer
- Photoengraving Sketch Maker
- Photographic Process Screen Maker
- Pin Ticket Machine Operator
- Plastic Printer
- Plate Printer
- Plate Sensitizer
- Plate Setter
- Platen Press Feeder
- Platen Press Operator
- Platen Press Operator Apprentice
- Precision Printing Worker
- Prepress Proofer
- Press Feeder
- Press Helper
- Press Operator
- Press Operator Apprentice
- Press Operator Assistant
- Press Operator Helper
- Pressfitter
- Pressman
- Pressroom Foreman
- Print Line Operator
- Printer
- Printer Apprentice
- Printer Assistant
- Printer Slotter Operator
- Printing Offset Duplicating Machine Operator
- Printing Plate Setter
- Printing Press Machine Operator
- Printing Press Operator
- Printing Press Operator Apprentice
- Printing Pressman
- Proof Press Operator
- Proofer
- Ratoprinter
- Raw Material Handler
- Roller Operator
- Roller Print Tender
- Rolling Machine Operator
- Rotary Lithographic Press Operator
- Rotary Screen Printing Machine Operator
- Rotogravure Press Operator
- Rotoprinter
- Rounder
- Rounder Hand
- Rounding Machine Operator
- Rubber Printing Machine Operator
- Screen Printer
- Screen Printing Equipment Setter
- Screen Printing Machine Operator
- Screen Printing Machine Operator Helper
- Semiconductor Package Symbol Stamper
- Silk Printer
- Silk Screen Operator
- Silk Screen Printer
- Silk Screen Printer Helper
- Silk Screen Processor
- Silk Screener
- Sketch Maker
- Specialty Materials Printing Machine Setter/Set-Up Operator
- Stamper
- Stamping Press Operator
- Steam Table Worker
- Steel Die Press Set Up Operator
- Steel Die Printer
- Steel Plate Printer
- Stencil Machine Operator
- Stencil Printer
- Stereotype Caster
- Stereotype Finisher
- Stereotype Molder
- Stereotyper
- Stippler
- Strickler Attendant
- Strike Off Machine Operator
- Strip Machine Operator
- Striping Machine Operator
- Tab Card Press Operator
- Tab Cutting Machine Operator
- Tag Press Operator
- Tape Rules Printing Machine Operator
- Tension Worker
- Textile Screen Maker
- Textile Screen Printer
- Ticket Printer
- Ticketer
- Tinning Machine Set Up Operator
- Tinware Lithograph Press Operator
- Tip Printer
- Transfer Machine Operator
- Type Caster
- Type Copyist
- Vigoureux Printer
- Wad Printing Machine Operator
- Wallpaper Printer
- Web Offset Press Feeder
- Web Press Operator
- Web Press Operator Apprentice
- Web Pressman