Profession offset printer

Offset printers set up and operate digital, letterpress, lithographic, flexographic, gravure, newspaper and other printing presses.

Would you like to know what kind of career and professions suit you best? Take our free Holland code career test and find out.

Personality Type

  • Realistic / Conventional

Related professions printing

Knowledge

  • Printing techniques

    The techniques and processes to reproduce text and images using a master form or template such as letterpress printing, gravure, and laser printing.

  • Quality standards

    The national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.

  • Types of paper

    The different criteria used to determine differences in paper types such as coarseness and thickness, and the different fabrication methods and wood types from which the types of paper stem.

  • Printing on large scale machines

    Methods, processes, and restrictions related to printing on machines that produce large quantities and sizes of graphic print materials.

  • Polygraphy

    Production branch that handles reproduction of text and images by printing.

  • Offset printing

    Technological printing process where the ink is spread onto a plate with etched images, then to a rubber blanket, and finally onto the target medium, usually paper. This method is used for mass printing on large scales.

Skills

  • Operate offset printing machine

    Operate controlling and exposure units of the offset printing machine, set the laser exposure unit; and tend the development line.

  • Prepare printing form

    Prepare and inspect plates that are used in printing process to transfer ink on the desired surface and place them in the machines, for example fixing them around printing rollers.

  • Follow safety precautions in printing

    Apply safety and health principles, policies and institutional regulations of working in printing production. Protect oneself and others against such hazards as chemicals used in printing, invasive allergens, heat, and disease causing agents.

  • Set up the controller of a machine

    Set up and give commands to a machine by dispatching the appropriate data and input into the (computer) controller corresponding with the desired processed product.

  • Monitor automated machines

    Continuously check up on the automated machine's set-up and execution or make regular control rounds. If necessary, record and interpret data on the operating conditions of installations and equipment in order to identify abnormalities.

  • Prepare offset printing machine

    Adjust, set, and prepare machines for offset printing by calibrating each part of the machine.

  • Clean ink rollers

    Clean ink roller and type using ink solvent and rags.

  • Produce prepress proof

    Make single or multi-coloured test prints to ensure that the product meets the arranged standards. Compare the sample with the template or discuss the result with the customer in order to make the last adjustments before mass production.

  • Perform test run

    Perform tests putting a system, machine, tool or other equipment through a series of actions under actual operating conditions in order to assess its reliability and suitability to realise its tasks, and adjust settings accordingly.

  • Troubleshoot

    Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.

  • Follow production schedule

    Follow production schedule taking into account all requirements, times and needs. This schedule outlines what individual commodities must be produced in each time period and encapsulates various concerns like production, staffing, inventory, etc. It is usually linked to manufacturing where the plan indicates when and how much of each product will be demanded. Utilise all the information in the actual implementation of the plan.

  • Supply machine

    Ensure the machine is fed the necessary and adequate materials and control the placement or automatic feed and retrieval of work pieces in the machines or machine tools on the production line.

Optional knowledge and skills

cut page edges screen printing inks consult technical resources printing materials process printing input wear appropriate protective gear perforate printed media pack goods maintenance of printing machines perform machine maintenance operate letterpress printing plate making manage offset printing process record production data for quality control inspect printing output print stripping printing media keep records of work progress report defective manufacturing materials handle chemical cleaning agents maintain lithographic printing plates prepare colour mixtures

Common job titles

  • Graphics print operator
  • Help desk - tier 1 support specialist
  • Offset press operator
  • Digital print operator
  • Print production associate
  • Digital print operator 2
  • Digital web/indigo print operator
  • Printing operator - print shop
  • Pre-press operator 1481