According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| Start presses and pull proofs to check for ink coverage and density, alignment, and registration. | 93% |
| Examine job orders to determine quantities to be printed, stock specifications, colors, or special printing instructions. | 92% |
| Adjust ink fountain flow rates. | 92% |
| Verify that paper and ink meet the specifications for a given job. | 91% |
| Collect and inspect random samples during print runs to identify any necessary adjustments. | 91% |
| Feed paper through press cylinders and adjust feed and tension controls. | 90% |
| Monitor automated press operation systems and respond to fault, error, or alert messages. | 90% |
| Load presses with paper and make necessary adjustments, according to paper size. | 90% |
| Secure printing plates to printing units and adjust tolerances. | 90% |
| Download or scan files to be printed, using printing production software. | 89% |
| Clean ink fountains, plates, or printing unit cylinders when press runs are completed. | 88% |
| Change press plates, blankets, or cylinders, as required. | 87% |
| Obtain or mix inks and fill ink fountains. | 87% |
| Adjust digital files to alter print elements, such as fonts, graphics, or color separations. | 86% |
| Input production job settings into workstation terminals that control automated printing systems. | 86% |
| Clean or oil presses or make minor repairs, using hand tools. | 84% |
| Direct or monitor work of press crews. | 83% |
| Download completed jobs to archive media so that questions can be answered or jobs replicated. | 81% |
| Maintain time or production records. | 80% |
| Control workflow scheduling or job tracking, using computer database software. | 80% |
| Monitor inventory levels on a regular basis, ordering or requesting additional supplies, as necessary. | 79% |
| Monitor environmental factors, such as humidity and temperature, that may impact equipment performance and make necessary adjustments. | 79% |
| Set up or operate auxiliary equipment, such as cutting, folding, plate-making, drilling, or laminating machines. | 73% |
