Description
Set up and operate digital, letterpress, lithographic, flexographic, gravure, or other printing machines. Includes short-run offset printing presses.
- • Adjust digital files to alter print elements, such as fonts, graphics, or color separations.
- • Change press plates, blankets, or cylinders, as required.
- • Clean ink fountains, plates, or printing unit cylinders when press runs are completed.
- • Clean or oil presses or make minor repairs, using hand tools.
- • Collect and inspect random samples during print runs to identify any necessary adjustments.
- • Download or scan files to be printed, using printing production software.
- • Examine job orders to determine quantities to be printed, stock specifications, colors, or special printing instructions.
- • Feed paper through press cylinders and adjust feed and tension controls.
- • Input production job settings into workstation terminals that control automated printing systems.
- • Load presses with paper and make necessary adjustments, according to paper size.
- • Monitor automated press operation systems and respond to fault, error, or alert messages.
- • Obtain or mix inks and fill ink fountains.
- • Secure printing plates to printing units and adjust tolerances.
- • Start presses and pull proofs to check for ink coverage and density, alignment, and registration.
- • Verify that paper and ink meet the specifications for a given job.
- • Control workflow scheduling or job tracking, using computer database software.
- • Direct or monitor work of press crews.
- • Download completed jobs to archive media so that questions can be answered or jobs replicated.
- • Maintain time or production records.
- • Monitor environmental factors, such as humidity and temperature, that may impact equipment performance and make necessary adjustments.
- • Monitor inventory levels on a regular basis, ordering or requesting additional supplies, as necessary.
- • Set up or operate auxiliary equipment, such as cutting, folding, plate-making, drilling, or laminating machines.
- • Adjust ink fountain flow rates.
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Last reviewed: Jan 2026
