Print Press Machine Operators
Description OES Code:92543
Operate or tend various types of printing machines, such as offset lithographic presses, letter or letterset presses, flexographic or gravure presses, to produce print on paper or other materials such as plastic, cloth, or rubber.

Wages, California
Entry-Level Hourly Wage $8.26
25th Percentile $9.53
50th Percentile $13.20
75th Percentile $18.49

Wages, San Joaquin County
Entry-Level Hourly Wage $10.19
25th Percentile $11.18
50th Percentile $15.93
75th Percentile $20.40

Wages by California County
• OES Survey
• CCOIS Survey

Hours & Benefits
The workweek in most union shops is five 7-hour days, while non-union shops work five 8-hour days or four 10-hour days. Most overtime pay ranges from time and a half to double time for Saturday, Sunday, or holiday work. Exceptions exist in magazine printing plants where the normal workweek includes Saturday, Sunday and holidays due to distribution deadlines.

Fringe benefits generally include paid holidays, vacations, sick leave, and health and retirement plans. Only a few firms provide group life insurance. Other benefits include company-subsidized cafeterias, credit unions, and various recreational activities.

Employment Trends, California
Employment 1998 12,400
Employment 2008 14,600
Percent Change 1998-2008 17.7%
Separations 1998-2008 2,900

Employment Trends, San Joaquin County
Employment 1999 140
Projected Employment 2006 160
Percent Change 1999-2006 14.3%
Separations 1999-2006 20

Employment Trends by California County.

Working Conditions
Modern pressrooms are usually clean and well-lit, but heating and ventilation are regulated to the requirements of paper stock. Most presses are noisy. The work requires constant activity, standing for long periods of time, and frequent lifting. Printing Press Operators are generally confined to the press area. The hazards are those ordinarily encountered in working fast-moving machinery. Inks, solvents, coatings, and lubricants may cause skin irritations.

Advancement
Printing Press Operators in a majority of the shops can be promoted to higher-paying technical jobs, supervisory, or other positions. Promotional prospects are enhanced when workers keep up with technological developments. In addition, there are classes available to help keep up with the current trends in printing. Most companies advance present employees rather than recruit outside help.

Getting the Job & Other Information
Jobs are frequently found through trade journal and newspaper want ads, direct application to employers, information from present employees, vocational training schools, unions, private employment agencies, and California Employment Development Department Job Service offices.

For a list of current job listings, browse CalJOBS or America's Job Bank.

Education and Training
Printing Press Operators learn their trade through four-year press operator apprenticeships, two-year press leader apprenticeships, or on-the-job training. In order to complete an apprenticeship one attends classes at night and completes from 6,000 to 8,000 hours of on-the-job training. During the training period, the pay increases every six months if the required hours are completed successfully. For apprenticeship information contact the California Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Apprenticeship Standards.

At California State University, San Luis Obispo, there is a four-year course in printing management. Schools throughout California offer printing courses, especially community colleges with printing programs. Mechanical interests and a general high school education with courses in English, math, chemistry, physics, and print shop courses all are helpful. Knowledge of electronics is very important. Work as a helper in a printing company or related assignments in the armed forces may be useful.

Skills & Other Requirements
Among skills that are important for Printing Press Machine Operators are the ability to Adhere To Safety Procedures, Calculate Ink Flows, Determine Chemical Solutions For Printing Processes, Develop Maintenance Schedules, Estimate Costs For Printing Materials, Keep Records & Maintain Files, Maintain Duplicating Equipment, Move And Lift Heavy Objects, Operate Bindery Equipment, Blueprinting Equipment, Gravure Presses, Paper Cutters, Process Camera, Collating Machine, Duplicating Equipment, Ink Jet Presses, Offset Presses, Book/Bindery Stitching Machines, Paper Folding Machines, Precision Measuring Tools & Equipment, Shrink Wrap Machine, Silk Screen Printer, Perceive Color / Balance/ Proportion, Produce Printing Plates, Proofread Written Material, Repair & Maintain Printing Industry Equipment, Troubleshoot Printing Press Problems, Use Characteristics Of Paper To Optimize Quality Of Printing, Use Computer Design/ Graphics, Technology Software, Hand Tools, Paper Characteristics, Word Processing & Spreadsheet Software, Apply Basic Math, Four-Color Process Techniques, Collate By Hand, Distinguish Details In Graphic Production Setting, Estimate Time Needed For Project, Mix Printing Solutions, Proofread, Repair & Maintain Printing Presses, and Use Correct Grammar, Punctuation & Spelling.

References
California Occupational Guide #71

Related Occupations: Desktop Publishers

Training: California Training and Education Providers (CTEP)