How to become a printing press operator

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

Steps to get there

Most employers expect usually requires a high school diploma or ged, though some occupations may not..Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.

What printing press operators do

• 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.
• Collect and inspect random samples during print runs to identify any necessary adjustments.
• Feed paper through press cylinders and adjust feed and tension controls.
• Load presses with paper and make necessary adjustments, according to paper size.

Skills that matter most

• Monitoring
• Reading Comprehension
• Active Listening
• Speaking
• Critical Thinking
• Active Learning
• Writing
• Mathematics

Is printing press operator a good career?

On the numbers, this job is close to the average across occupations. Median pay is 10% below the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.

Where it pays most

• District of Columbia $116,630
• Massachusetts $53,050
• New Jersey $50,430
• Washington $49,800
• Oregon $48,760

Printing Press Operators salary by state and city

Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.