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Printing Press Operators

Production · SOC 51-5112

0.0% AI Exposure — Low
$45,780
Median Annual Salary
Average
O*NET Outlook
15,800
Proj. Annual Openings
144,260
Employment (OEWS 2025)
100/100
AI Resiliency Score

AI exposure from the Anthropic Economic Index (2025); salary from BLS; skills from O*NET. See /sources.

AI Exposure Analysis

AI Exposure0.0%
AI Resiliency100/100
Exposure BandLow
Sector Avg. Exposure0.8%

Top Skills

1.Quality Control Analysis
2.Operations Monitoring
3.Monitoring
4.Operation and Control
5.Reading Comprehension

O*NET occupation profile

What this work involves

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

Common titles: Digital Press Operator, Flexographic Press Operator, Offset Press Operator, Offset Pressman, Press Operator, Pressman

Representative Tasks

  • Start presses and pull proofs to check for ink coverage and density, alignment, and registration.
  • Examine job orders to determine quantities to be printed, stock specifications, colors, or special printing instructions.
  • Adjust ink fountain flow rates.
  • Verify that paper and ink meet the specifications for a given job.
  • Collect and inspect random samples during print runs to identify any necessary adjustments.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Inspected printed materials or other images to verify quality.
  • Operate photographic developing or print production equipment.
  • Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements.
  • Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences.
  • Adjust equipment controls to regulate flow of production materials or products.

Tools & Technologies

Adobe Acrobat · hotAdobe Illustrator · hotAdobe InDesign · hotAdobe Photoshop · hotMicrosoft Outlook · hotSAP software · hotAdobe LifeCycle Production Print ES3Adobe PageMakerElectronics for Imaging EFI MonarchElectronics for Imaging EFI Pace

Related Occupations

Employment Projections & AI Exposure

15
Occupations Shown
0.5%
Avg AI Exposure
1
Bright Outlook

Sector Comparison

MetricThis CareerSector Average
AI Exposure0.0%0.8%
OutlookAverage4% Bright
Median Salary$45,780N/A
AI Resiliency100/100N/A