Printing press operators set up, operate, and maintain printing presses.

Press operators run paper through printing presses to print newspapers, magazines, and other items. To prepare presses for printing, press operators read work orders to choose the type of ink and print material.

Operators may also type or input instructions into programmable machines that do many tasks automatically.

In many cases, operators look at sample sheets, called ""proofs,"" to see if any adjustments need to be made to the color, clarity, or to correct errors. Once any changes have been made, operators run the job.

While the presses are running, operators monitor their operation. They make adjustments to correct uneven ink distribution and speed. If the paper jams or tears, operators make repairs. They also keep the paper feeders full. During the run, operators periodically pull printed sheets to check their quality.

Once the run is complete, they may pack and label the print job. They record what products they used and also how much they printed.

Many press operators perform maintenance on the machines between jobs. They oil and clean the presses as well as make minor repairs.

Duties of printing press operators vary based on the type of press they operate. Types of presses include:

• Offset lithography
• Gravure
• Flexography
• Letterpress

Duties also vary by the size of the print shop. In small shops, operators generally use small presses. These press operators are more likely to work with customers. They may take job orders, estimate the cost of the project, and accept payments.