Jobs, Careers and Occupations

Printing Machinists

Printing Machinists Nature of Work

Printing machinists set up and operate sheet and web-fed presses to print illustrations, designs and text on paper, plastic, sheet metal and other material. Commercial printing companies, newspapers, magazines, and other publishing companies and establishments in the public and private sectors that have in-house printing departments employ them.

Printing Machinists Work Conditions

Printing machinists work in both small businesses and large manufacturing companies, and with single and multi-color printing presses.

Printing Machinists Personal Requirements

• able to carry out detailed work
• an aptitude for mechanical work
• enjoy practical and manual work
• good eyesight and normal color vision
• good hand-eye coordination

Printing Machinists Employment Requirements

• Completion of a college program in printing technology or
• a four-year apprenticeship program in printing or
• a combination of on-the-job training and specialized high school, college or industry courses is usually required.

Printing Machinists Duties and Tasks

Printing machinists may perform the following tasks:

• adjust the paper feeding devices which separate and feed sheets through the machine
• carry out minor repairs and routine maintenance
• fit printing plates or cylinders on presses, mix the inks that go on them and adjust the color flow to the image
• prepare image materials such as relief, planographic (flat) and intaglio printing plates
• set up and operate 'in-line' finishing functions

Printing Machinist Example Titles

• Flexographic Press Operator
• Offset Press Operator
• Pressman
• Printing Press Operator
• Rotogravure Pressman

Printing Machinist Related Occupations

• Binder and Finisher
• Graphic Designer
• Offset Printer
• Printing Hand
• Screen Printer
• Textile Printers

Printing Related Industries

• Graphic Arts
• Publishing
• Pulp and Paper