Printing Press Operators

(NOC 7381)

in All Trades and Transportation

Printing press operators set up and operate sheet and web-fed presses to print text, illustrations, and designs on a wide variety of materials like paper, plastic, glass, leather, and metal. They work for commercial printing companies, newspapers, magazines, and other publishing companies, and institutions in the public and private sectors that have in-house printing departments.

Job Outlook

Limited

Estimate Decline employment change, 2021-2023
Estimate -10 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
Estimate Moderate rate of unemployment in 2022

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

Estimate 4040 employment change, 2021-2023
Estimate 8425 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Hourly Pay

$20.00

Minimum

$26.00

Median

$31.37

Maximum

Annual Pay

$15,515

Minimum

$47,685

Median

$70,363

Maximum

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

Hourly Pay

$15.00

Minimum

$24.00

Median

$37.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$7,580

Minimum

$37,269

Median

$79,787

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Job duties

Printing press operators:

Review job orders to determine job specifications like production time, colour sequence and quantities required, and advise press crew of these specifications.
Mount plates or cylinders and make necessary adjustments.
Fill ink fountains and take measurements, adjust, and determine settings to control colour and viscosity.
Set up press and check samples for ink coverage, alignment, and registration.
Monitor regular press runs for quality and consistency using computer control console and adjust as required.
Remove and clean plates and cylinders at end of press run.
Direct activities of press crew and make sure that safety procedures are followed.

Sample job titles

commercial press operator
job printer
offset printer
printer
printing press operator
printing technologist
proofer - printing
Web press operator - printing

Skills

You should be responsible and alert. Coordination and a mechanical aptitude are important. You must also be able to take direction and carry out instructions given by a supervisor.

Job requirements

High school is usually required.
A college program in printing technology or a combination of on-the-job training and specialized high school, college or industry courses is usually required.

Other considerations

Movement to supervisory positions like pressroom supervisor is possible with experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

360

employed in 2016

93.1%

employed full-time

2.8%

self employed

9.7%

90.3%

46.2

median age

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

57,925

employed in 2016

85.9%

employed full-time

11.8%

self employed

5.3%

94.7%

46.8

median age

Where will I likely work?

62.5%

Halifax

$47,752 median annual income

25.0%

North Shore

$47,837 median annual income

9.7%

Annapolis Valley

N/A

2.8%

Cape Breton

N/A

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

77.3%

Manufacturing

12.1%

Information and cultural industries

4.5%

Professional, scientific and technical services

3.0%

Educational services

3.0%

Public administration

What is the age of Employment?

32.0%

45-54

29.0%

35-44

19.0%

55-64

11.0%

25-34

6.0%

15-24

3.0%

65+

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

24.4%

45-54

22.1%

55-64

17.7%

35-44

17.7%

25-34

10.9%

15-24

Top levels of education

40.3%

High school

$46,428 median annual income

23.6%

Less than high school

$54,286 median annual income

19.4%

College Diploma

$44,078 median annual income

12.5%

Trade Certification

$58,789 median annual income

4.2%

Bachelor

N/A

Compared to: All Trades and Transportation

29.2%

Trade Certification

$46,494 median annual income

25.5%

High school

$31,260 median annual income

22.3%

College Diploma

$42,050 median annual income

18.7%

Less than high school

$28,319 median annual income

2.8%

Bachelor

$30,527 median annual income

Education & training

Graphic Communications

College, Trades, or University Program

These programs apply technical knowledge and skills in the manufacture and distribution or transmission of graphic communications products. They include courses in the prepress, press, and postpress phases of production operations and processes like offset lithography, flexography, gravure, letterpress, screen printing, foil stamping, digital imaging, and other reproduction methods.

Institutions providing this program

NSCAD University

Halifax, NS

admissions@nscad.ca

Website

High School Diploma or Equivalent

High School Program

Adults without a high school diploma can contact the Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning (NSSAL) for tuition-free programming across the province. NSSAL oversees adult education programs in Nova Scotia. NSSAL partners with the Nova Scotia Community College, Adult High Schools, Université Sainte-Anne, and community-based learning organizations to deliver programs. NSSAL offers clear, accessible pathways from adult basic education to a high school credential or GED.

Institutions providing this program

Universite Sainte-Anne

Pointe-de-l'Église, NS

admission@usainteanne.ca

Website

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Website

Adult High Schools

Various, NS

Website

Community Learning Organizations