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Commercial Printing Press Operators

THE JOB

The most common methods of printing are letterpress, offset lithography and
web offset.  Letterpress printing is reproduction from type.  Ink is
transferred from a plate to the printed surface by direct contact.  In
offset lithography, thin, flexible metal plates are processed
photographically and carry an image that is moistened and inked.  The image
is then transferred to a cylinder that reproduces it on paper or other
surfaces.  Web presses are used to print newspapers, magazines, and books.
These presses are the largest, fastest, and most complex in use today.  Both
surfaces are cylinders, and paper is automatically fed between them from a
roll.  The web prints both sides of the paper and folds, cuts, and assembles
the pages.  Other basic printing methods include engraving, embossing, and
gravure.  This work is performed by COMMERCIAL PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS.

Similarities in jobs include many of the preparations preceding a run,
observations and adjustments during the run, and subsequent cleanup
operations.  The differences arise from the diversity of machines,
materials, quality specifications, and other factors.  Press Operators
maintain their press by lubricating the press and auxiliary equipment and
inspecting and operating it to be sure all mechanisms are working properly.  

Press Operators frequently inspect printed sheets during the run and check
for sharp impression, color accuracy, and the correct position of the image.
They often make adjustments and changes to prevent offsetting of wet ink
from one sheet to another.  They clean the press at the end of the run,
giving special attention to the inking and water mechanisms.  Workers on
small presses may work alone, sometimes operating two automatic machines
simultaneously.  Crews on the largest presses may number eight or more.  The
pressroom supervisor may be assisted by other workers classified as to the
functions of the operation.  They perform some of the tasks mentioned above
and related duties, depending on the particular shop.  Those receiving
training may work at several phases of press operation.


WORKING CONDITIONS

Modern pressrooms are usually clean and well-lit, but heating and 
ventilation are regulated to the requirements of paper stock.  Most presses
are noisy.  The work requires constant activity, standing for long periods
of time, and frequent lifting.  Printing Press Operators are generally
confined to the press area.  The hazards are those ordinarily encountered in
working fast-moving machinery.  Inks, solvents, coatings, and lubricants may
cause skin irritations.  Good eye-hand coordination, normal vision, and
color perception, as well as the normal use of hands and fingers, are
important physical requirements for the job.  Print shops range in size from
those operated by the owner and one or two assistants, to those having
several hundred workers.  Most shops, however, employ fewer than 50 workers.
Press Operators in some of the larger letterpress and offset establishments
are represented by local unions.  These include the Offset Workers, Printing
Pressmen & Assistants Union in Southern California; the Western Graphic Arts
Union in Northern California and the Graphic Arts International Union.


EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK

The following information is from the California Projections of Employment
published by the Labor Market Information Division.  The figures below
represent the combined data for Offset Lithographic Press Setters,
Letterpress Setters, Set-Up Operators, and Print Press Setters, Set-Up
Operators.

Estimated number of workers in 1993            10,920
Estimated number of workers in 2005            11,250
Projected Growth 1993-2005                         3%
Estimated openings due to separations by 2005   2,600

(These figures do not include self-employment or openings due to turnover.)

Employment for this group is relatively stable.  Fluctuations in industry
are closely related to variations in the national economy, with advertising
especially affected.  Advances in technology are also affecting the labor
market for this occupation.  At the present time, there seems to be
sufficient work, especially in the larger, metropolitan areas.  Some
employers, however, are experiencing an inadequate supply of qualified
workers.

For those who have not kept up with changes in printing methods, it will be
more difficult to obtain work.  It is important for beginners to complete
the required course of study in a technical school or college where printing
equipment is available.

Demand is growing slowly for rotogravure Press Operators even though the
process is experiencing increased use in catalog and magazine publication.
Due to the high cost of rotogravure presses, they are rarely found in small
shops.  Sheet-fed Offset Press Operators will find more openings,
particularly in smaller firms.  Specialties such as the printing of business
forms, engravings, and lithography on metals, plastics, and fabrics employ
most of the remaining press operators.


WAGES, HOURS, AND FRINGE BENEFITS

Printing Press Operators are classified according to the kind, size, and
complexity of the presses they operate.  Starting wages average between
$6.00 and $9.75 an hour.  The range of starting pay for those who have
completed training at a technical school is from $7.00 to $13.00 hourly.
Pay for an experience worker just starting a new job averages $8.50 to
$14.50 per hour.  A journey-level worker with three or more years of
experience with the same employer averages $11.50 to $18.00 per hour.  Some
workers earn as much as $26.00 or more per hour.

The workweek in most union shops is five, seven-hour days, while non-union
shops work five, eight-hour days or four, ten-hour days.  Most firms'
overtime pay ranges from 1-1/2 times the basic rate to two times for
Saturday, Sunday, or holiday work.  Exceptions exist in magazine printing
plants where the normal workweek includes the weekend.  Fringe benefits
generally include paid holidays, vacations, sick leave, and health and
retirement plans.  Only a few firms provide group life insurance.  Other
benefits include company-subsidized cafeterias, credit unions, and various
recreational activities.


ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING

Printing Press Operators learn their trade through four-year press operator
apprenticeships, two-year press leader apprenticeships, or on-the-job
training.  In order to complete an apprenticeship one attends classes at
night and completes from 6,000 to 8,000 hours of on-the-job training.
During the training period, the pay increases every six months if the
required hours are completed successfully.  For apprenticeship information
contact the California Department of Industrial Relations, Division of
Apprenticeship Standards.

At California State University, San Luis Obispo, there is a four-year course
in printing management.  Schools throughout California offer printing
courses, especially community colleges with printing programs.

Mechanical interests and a general high school education with courses in
English, math, chemistry, physics, and print shop courses all are helpful.

Knowledge of electronics is very important.  Work as a helper in a printing
company or related assignments in the armed forces may be useful.


ADVANCEMENT

Printing Press Operators in a majority of the shops can be promoted to
higher-paying technical jobs, supervisory, or other positions.  Promotional
prospects are enhanced when workers keep up with technological developments.
In addition, there are classes available to help keep up with the current
trends in printing.  Most companies advance present employees rather than
recruit outside help.


FINDING THE JOB

Jobs are frequently found through trade journal and newspaper want ads,
direct application to employers, information from present employees,
vocational training schools, unions, private employment agencies, and
California Employment Development Department Workforce Services Offices.

ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Printing Industries of America, Inc.
100 Daingerfield Rd
Alexandria, VA 22314-2888
(703) 519-8100
http://www.printing.org

National Association of Printers & Lithographers, Inc. 
780 Palisade Avenue
Teaneck, NJ 07666-3129
(201) 342-0700
http://www.napl.org

RELATED OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES
Compositors and Typesetters                  No. 86

OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES

DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th Ed., 1991)
Cylinder-Press Operator                 651.362-010
Platen-Press Operator                   651.362-018
Rotogravure-Press Operator              651.362-026
Web-Press Operator                      651.362-030
Offset-Press Operator I                 651.382-042

OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System
Offset Lithographic Press Setters            925120
Letterpress Setters & Set-up Operators       925150
Print Press Setters & Set-up Operators, NEC  925190

Source: State of California, Employment Development Department,
        Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group,
        (916) 262-2162.