Can Agents Work?

Jobs / Production and manufacturing / 51-5112.00

Printing Press Operators

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

US jobs
144,260
Median wage
$45,780 a year
Job family
Production and manufacturing

Can agents do the work of printing press operators?

We read the evidence for the whole job family, Production and manufacturing: Unmeasured (no change in 12 months)

No direct benchmark gives a success rate.

0% of this occupation's work, by O*NET work activities, is measured by a direct benchmark.

  • 10%Position workpieces or materials on equipmentNot measured
  • 8%Load products, materials, or equipment for transportation or further processingNot measured
  • 8%Clean tools, equipment, facilities, or work areasNot measured
  • 7%Adjust equipment to ensure adequate performanceNot measured
  • 6%Program computer systems or production equipmentNot measured
  • 6%Evaluate production inputs or outputsNot measured
  • 6%Inspect completed work or finished productsNot measured
  • 6%Read documents or materials to inform work processesNot measured

Benchmarks for the job family

These cover work in production and manufacturing, not always this occupation's tasks.

Also relevant

These benchmarks cover part of this family's work, or have no result yet. They do not set its step.

Typical tasks

From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.

  • 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.
  • Feed paper through press cylinders and adjust feed and tension controls.
  • Monitor automated press operation systems and respond to fault, error, or alert messages.
  • Load presses with paper and make necessary adjustments, according to paper size.
  • Secure printing plates to printing units and adjust tolerances.
  • Clean ink fountains, plates, or printing unit cylinders when press runs are completed.
  • Change press plates, blankets, or cylinders, as required.
  • Obtain or mix inks and fill ink fountains.
Other job titles for this occupation (80)

Digital Press Operator · Flexographic Press Operator · Offset Press Operator · Offset Pressman · Press Operator · Pressman · Printer · Printing Press Operator · Printing Pressman · Web Press Operator · Aniline Press Worker · Back Up Machine Operator · Backer · Bag Press Operator · Bag Printer · Balloon Design Printer · Bander and Liner Operator · Ben-Day Artist · Binding Printer · Block Printer · Box Press Operator · Box Printer · Calico Printer · Carton Stamper · Cellophane Press Operator · Cloth Printer · Cloth Printing Back Tender · Collating Machine Operator · Collator · Collator Operator · Copper Plate Printer · Coverer · Cut and Print Machine Operator · Cut Pressman · Cut-Press Operator · Cutting and Printing Machine Operator · Cylinder Press Operator · Design Printing Machine Set-Up Operator · Design Printing Machine Setter · Die Mounter · Die Stamping Press Operator · Digital Color Press Operator · Digital Print Operator · Digital Printer Operator · Digital Production Operator · Duplex Trimmer · Electrotype Caster · Electrotype Finisher · Electrotype Molder · Electrotyper · Embosser · Embossing Machine Operator · Embossing Press Operator · Embossograph Operator · Engraver Set-Up Operator · Engraving Press Operator · Engrosser · Flexo Operator · Flexo Press Operator · Flexographic Press Set-Up Operator · Flexographic Printing Press Operator · Floor Covering Printer · Folding Rules Printing Machine Operator · Galley Worker · Gilder · Glove Printer · Gold Leaf Printer · Gravure Press Operator · Gravure Press Set-Up Operator · Identification Printing Machine Setter · Ink Printer · Instant Print Operator · Job Press Operator · Job Printer · Kelly Machine Operator · Label Printer · Large Sheetfed Press Operator · Laser Printing Operator · Letterer · Letterpress Setter