A printing press operator handles many duties within a pressroom. The primary function is to prepare, operate and maintain the printing press. Duties of the printing press operator vary depending on the specifics of the work. Offset lithography is the most common printing process. This involves transferring an ink impression from a rubber cylinder to paper. In gravure, an etched plate or cylinder that contains grooves is covered in ink and then transferred. In flexography ink is applied to a raised image area by use of a rubber printing plate. This form of printing is uncommon and normally only used on special projects or by special requests. Processes that do not use plates, digital and ink-jet printing are used most frequently for copying and duplicating. Printing shops and commercial printers for fast printing jobs commonly use this process.
In preparation of printing, press operators are responsible for the basic mechanics of the press. They install and adjust the printing plate, adjust ink pressure, load paper and adjust the paper size. They are in charge of making sure the press is established in order to meet all requirements. New technology is rapidly becoming available that is allowing this process to be skipped. Files will be able to be sent directly to press.
In the process of printing, it is the responsibility of the press operator to keep a close eye on the work. They monitor the paper feeders and make adjustments to ink distribution. The job of the operator is to make sure there is little down time. This means making corrections as soon as possible. If there were any problems with the ink or paper, this could result in expensive losses.
The job of the press operator may vary depending on the company or job required. One person normally operates shops that are relatively small. Larger operations require a crew of press operators. These establishments are primarily newspapers, magazines and book printers.
With all the advancement in technology, computers have become a driving force in the printing business. This means that the job of the press operator will primarily be done electronically rather than manually. The use of control panels and computer monitors will ultimately eliminate many of the “old” hands-on procedures.
The work has a tendency to be both physical and mental. There is a lot of pressure to meet deadlines and to ensure proper mechanics of the press. Many of the printing presses work in a quick style, so it is important for press operators to be alert in order to make any adjustments necessary.
