Binding and Finishing Machine Operators

(NOC 9473)

in All Manufacturing and Utilities

Binding and finishing machine operators set up, use or oversee the use of machines, equipment or computerized units that bind and finish printed material. Workers who perform finishing operations in the paper, carton and packaging industries, as well as those who encode and stamp plastic cards, are included in this group. They work for binderies, commercial printing companies, newspapers, magazines, and other publishing companies, and organizations in both the public and private sectors that have in-house printing, binding and finishing departments.

Job Outlook

Undetermined

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

$15.12

Minimum

$18.01

Median

$23.71

Maximum

Annual Pay

N/A

Minimum

$28,715

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

Job duties

Binding and finishing machine operators:

Set up and use equipment and machines that cut, fold, gather and bind or finish brochures, pamphlets, business forms, magazines, books and other printed material.
Set up and use equipment and machines that die cut, emboss, imprint, laminate, heat stamp and do other finishing tasks on printed material.
Complete pre-production runs of binding or finishing jobs to verify output and to make sure that product specifications are met.
Use equipment and machines to bind or finish print material according to specifications.
Pack, weigh and stack bound and finished products on pallet for shipment.
May repair and rebind damaged or worn books.

Sample job titles

binder
binder and finisher
bindery operator
bookbinding machine operator
cerlox binder operator
cutter operator
finishing machine operator
foil stamper
gathering machine set-up operator
gold leaf stamper
laminating machine operator
perforator operator
stitcher operator

Skills

You should be responsible and alert. Coordination and a mechanical skill 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 graphic arts technology or a combination of on-the-job training and specialized college, industry or other courses is usually required.

Other considerations

There is some movement among different types of binding and finishing machine operator jobs in this group. Movement to supervisory positions is possible with experience.

By the numbers

Quick look

employed in 2016

76.9%

employed full-time

15.4%

self employed

53.8%

46.2%

40.5

median age

Compared to: All Manufacturing and Utilities

15,275

employed in 2016

83.2%

employed full-time

3.2%

self employed

27.6%

72.4%

44.7

median age

Where will I likely work?

33.3%

Halifax

N/A

25.0%

North Shore

N/A

25.0%

Annapolis Valley

N/A

16.7%

Southern

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

69.2%

Manufacturing

15.4%

Professional, scientific and technical services

15.4%

Information and cultural industries

What is the age of Employment?

29.0%

45-54

21.0%

35-44

21.0%

15-24

14.0%

25-34

14.0%

55-64

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

76.9%

High school

$28,784 median annual income

15.4%

College Diploma

N/A

15.4%

Bachelor

N/A

15.4%

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

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