Career: Printing-Machine Operators
When you hear the words printing machine, you might imagine newspapers rapidly rolling off the presses. But printing machines put words and designs on almost any kind of material, from plastic to glass to metal -- and there’s a person behind every one.
Printing-machine operators do more than run the machines. They keep a close eye on them, jumping in when there are problems, such as jams and ink spots. And they need to be lifelong learners, too, to keep up with new technology.
Printing-machine operators run and monitor machines to make sure that print jobs are done properly.
“If you make a mistake you can waste ten thousand dollars in a heartbeat. It’s very stressful to stand in front of one of those presses.”
George, printing-machine operator
Are You Ready To...?
- Clean rollers and load paper
- Constantly watch the machines
- Fix jams and other problems
- Catch printed errors
- Keep clients happy
It Helps to Be...
Good with machines: you’ll be making a lot of adjustments and repairs. A keen eye for color is also important, as is an interest in new technologies.
Make High School Count
- Sign up for art class. You’ll develop an eye for color.
- Master basic math. Printing-machine operators calculate the amount of ink and paper needed to do a job every day.
- Build computer skills. They’re becoming increasingly important in the printing trade.
- Join the school newspaper or yearbook staff. You’ll learn what it takes to produce something in print.
Did You Know?
- Many printing presses are now controlled by computers.
Outlook
Jobs for printing-machine operators are expected to decline by 2016, according to government economists. However, applicants should still find job openings. That’s because many experienced operators should retire in the coming years and will need to be replaced. There is also a need for workers who are trained on up-to-date computerized equipment.
Compensation
In 2008, printing-machine operators earned an average yearly salary of $34,150, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Geographical location has a lot to do with the rate of pay, and printing-machine operators who belong to unions usually earn higher wages than those who don’t.
