Printing Press Operators

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

What They Do

Printing press operators run the machines that produce everything from newspapers and magazines to packaging materials, books, and marketing brochures. They start each job by loading paper, mixing inks to achieve the correct colors, and adjusting settings like speed, ink flow, and paper alignment. Throughout the production run, they monitor print quality closely, checking for issues like smudging, misalignment, or color inconsistencies. When problems arise, they make real-time adjustments to keep the job on track and minimize waste.

Programs That Prepare You

College programs linked to this occupation, ranked by graduate earnings

Graphic Communications(certificate)Gnomon, CA
$75,226
Graphic Communications(bachelors)Baker College, MI
$74,387
Graphic Communications(bachelors)Art Center College of Design, CA
$67,010
Graphic Communications(bachelors)California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, CA
$49,029
Graphic Communications(bachelors)University of Wisconsin-Stout, WI
$48,744
Graphic Communications(bachelors)University of Maryland Global Campus, MD
$46,581
Graphic Communications(bachelors)Ringling College of Art and Design, FL
$44,048
Graphic Communications(masters)Savannah College of Art and Design, GA
$41,411
Graphic Communications(bachelors)Carroll University, WI
$40,825
Graphic Communications(bachelors)New Jersey Institute of Technology, NJ
$39,134
Graphic Communications(bachelors)Brigham Young University, UT
$38,725
Graphic Communications(bachelors)Bowling Green State University-Main Campus, OH
$38,489
Graphic Communications(bachelors)DigiPen Institute of Technology, WA
$37,605
Graphic Communications(bachelors)University of Minnesota-Duluth, MN
$36,557
Graphic Communications(bachelors)University of Northern Iowa, IA
$36,419
Graphic Communications(masters)DePaul University, IL
$35,334
Graphic Communications(bachelors)University of Silicon Valley, CA
$33,727
Graphic Communications(associates)Austin Community College District, TX
$32,657
Graphic Communications(bachelors)Rochester Institute of Technology, NY
$32,044
Graphic Communications(bachelors)Drexel University, PA
$31,790
Graphic Communications(bachelors)Florida State College at Jacksonville, FL
$30,795
Graphic Communications(bachelors)Pittsburg State University, KS
$30,270
Graphic Communications(bachelors)Ferris State University, MI
$30,059
Graphic Communications(bachelors)Full Sail University, FL
$29,835
Graphic Communications(bachelors)The University of Tampa, FL
$29,835

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