Printing machine operators, also known as printing press operators, are in charge of operating printing machines and printing a variety of printed products such as fliers, newspapers, business cards, shirts, marketing materials, and more. A college degree is not required to work as a printing machine operator, but it will increase your chances of getting the job and progressing up the ranks. Mechanical knowledge, the ability to work with other machines, adaptability, and graphic design are all skills that will help you land the job. Knowing which machines to concentrate on is also crucial, as each type of machine necessitates specialized knowledge.
When it comes to becoming a printing machine operator, the majority of the training is done on the job. The majority of small copy shops are run by people with no formal education, or at least no formal education that focuses on printing machines. Larger corporations, such as newspaper printers, prefer to hire people with a two- or four-year college degree in printing machines, and many community colleges, state colleges, and technical schools offer such degrees. Apprenticing at a copy shop or printing business is also sufficient if there are no local colleges that offer this degree.
You’ll need certain skills to work as a printing machine operator. Mechanical knowledge is desirable because it is less expensive for the company to have an employee repair a machine than it is to call in a repairman when a machine breaks. Because most printing jobs require some type of finishing work, the ability to work with other machines such as cutters, folders, and other finishing machines is essential. Each print job will be unique, so an adaptable employee will be required to deal with the machines in a variety of ways. Another desirable skill is graphic design, which is useful if a customer needs a graphic to be fixed and because most print shops also provide graphic design services.
It’s easier to find a market as a printing machine operator if you concentrate on a specific machine type. The two most common and versatile printing machines are offset printers, which use a large printer with plates to transfer ink to paper, and digital printers, which use toner. Large printing companies, small copy shops, and newspaper printers all use these, and they account for a significant portion of the printing industry.
Other types of printing machines are used in niche markets. Printing on clothes and other textiles is done with screen printers. Plotters are used for large mechanical or design drawings, as well as posters. Finding a market that interests you will help you focus your training and find a company that requires a new printing machine operator.