Description
Set up and run digital, letterpress, lithographic, flexographic, gravure, and other printing presses, including short-run offset equipment.
- • Monitor automated press systems and respond to faults, errors, or alerts.
- • Obtain or mix inks and fill ink fountains.
- • Adjust digital files to alter print elements, such as fonts, graphics, or color separations.
- • Adjust ink fountain flow rates.
- • Change press plates, blankets, or cylinders as required.
- • Clean ink fountains, plates, or printing unit cylinders after press runs.
- • Clean and oil presses and make minor repairs using hand tools.
- • Collect and inspect random samples during runs to identify adjustments.
- • Download or scan files to be printed using production software.
- • Review job orders for quantities, stock specifications, colors, and special instructions.
- • Feed paper through press cylinders and set feed and tension controls.
- • Enter production job settings into terminals controlling automated systems.
- • Load presses with paper and adjust for size and weight.
- • Mount printing plates and adjust tolerances and registration.
- • Start presses and pull proofs to check coverage, density, alignment, and registration.
- • Verify paper, ink, and substrates meet job specifications.
- • Manage workflow scheduling and job tracking using database software.
- • Lead or coordinate press crew activities when assigned.
- • Archive completed jobs to enable questions to be answered or jobs replicated.
- • Maintain time and production records.
- • Monitor humidity and temperature affecting equipment and adjust as needed.
- • Track inventory levels and request or order supplies.
- • Set up or operate auxiliary equipment, such as cutting, folding, plate-making, drilling, or laminating machines.
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
