Plateless Printing Equipment Operators

(NOC 9471)

in All Manufacturing and Utilities

Plateless printing equipment operators use laser printers, computerized high-speed colour copiers and other machines to print text, illustrations and designs on a wide variety of materials like paper, plastic, glass, leather, and metal. They work for rapid printing services, newspaper and magazine publishing companies, commercial printing companies and in manufacturing and other businesses that have in-house printing facilities.

Job Outlook

Undetermined

Read more

  • Estimate change in employment not available for this occupation.
  • Estimate 0 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for this occupation.

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

  • Estimate 435 employment change, 2021-2023
  • Estimate 1945 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
  • Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

Hourly Pay

$16.26

Minimum

$21.04

Median

$24.99

Maximum

Annual Pay

N/A

Minimum

$28,707

Median

N/A

Maximum

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

Hourly Pay

$14.00

Minimum

$20.80

Median

$33.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$6,056

Minimum

$30,111

Median

$70,518

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Plateless printing equipment operators use laser printers, computerized high-speed colour copiers and other machines to print text, illustrations and designs on a wide variety of materials like paper, plastic, glass, leather, and metal. They work for rapid printing services, newspaper and magazine publishing companies, commercial printing companies and in manufacturing and other businesses that have in-house printing facilities.

Job duties

Plateless printing equipment operators:

  • Review work orders to define job specifications like ink colour and quantity required.
  • Set up and adjust printing machine like filling ink or paint reservoirs and loading stock.
  • Input codes and key in programming data on console keyboard of computerized machines.
  • Use and monitor printing machines during print run and adjust as needed.
  • Clean machines and replace worn parts.

Sample job titles

  • colour copier editor
  • electronic sign maker operator
  • embossing-imprinting machine operator
  • laser printer operator
  • printing machine operator
  • quick print machine operator
  • silk-screen printing machine operator
  • wallpaper printer

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.
  • College or other specialized courses in printing may be required.
  • On-the-job training is provided.

Other considerations

  • There is some movement among the various types of jobs within this group. Movement to supervisor positions is possible with experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

145

employed in 2016

79.3%

employed full-time

13.8%

self employed

31.0%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
69%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
51.2

median age

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

15,275

employed in 2016

83.2%

employed full-time

3.2%

self employed

27.6%
Icons/female Created with Sketch.
72.4%
Icons/male Created with Sketch.
44.7

median age

Where will I likely work?

60.7%

Halifax

$36,439 median annual income
17.9%

Annapolis Valley

N/A
7.1%

Southern

N/A
7.1%

North Shore

N/A
7.1%

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

66.7%

Manufacturing

16.7%

Professional, scientific and technical services

8.3%

Educational services

8.3%

Wholesale trade

What is the age of Employment?

34.0%

55-64

24.0%

35-44

17.0%

45-54

14.0%

65+

10.0%

25-34

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

24.5%

45-54

20.8%

55-64

19.3%

35-44

16.5%

25-34

15.0%

15-24

Top levels of education

41.4%

High school

$36,385 median annual income
20.7%

College Diploma

$29,089 median annual income
17.2%

Less than high school

N/A
10.3%

Bachelor

N/A
6.9%

Trade Certification

N/A

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

38.1%

High school

$28,505 median annual income
23.3%

Less than high school

$19,224 median annual income
19.9%

College Diploma

$38,781 median annual income
12.2%

Trade Certification

$43,975 median annual income
4.5%

Bachelor

$39,715 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

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

Nova Scotia Community College

Various, NS

Adult High Schools

Various, NS

Community Learning Organizations

Various, NS

Employment requirements & contacts

No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile

Contacts

Canadian Printing Industries Association
Laval, QC

Additional resources

There are no additional resources for this occupation.