Printing press operators set up and operate sheet and web-fed presses to print illustrations, designs and text on paper, plastic, sheet metal and other material. They are employed by commercial printing companies; newspapers, magazines, and other publishing companies; and establishments in the public and private sectors that have in-house printing departments.

apprentice pressman/woman, assistant pressman/woman, first pressman/woman, flexographic press operator, offset press operator, printing press operator, rotogravure pressman/woman – printing.

• Review job orders to determine job specifications such as production time, colour sequence and quantities required, and advise press crew of these specifications
• Mount plates or cylinders and make necessary adjustments
• Fill ink fountains and take measurements, make adjustments and determine settings to control colour and viscosity
• Set up press and check samples for ink coverage, alignment and registration
• Monitor regular press run for quality consistency using computer control console and make adjustments if required
• Remove and clean plates and cylinders at end of press run
• Set up and adjust in-line binding and finishing equipment
• Direct activities of press crew and ensure that safety procedures are adhered to.

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