Printing Machinists

Printing Machinists produce books, magazines, newspapers, brochures, posters, leaflets, packaging materials and stationery using printing presses.

What the job involves

• Sets, adjusts and monitors substrate-feed mechanisms, delivery mechanisms, inking systems and other printing machine functions

• Mixes ink and solvents to standard, and regulates paper and ink supply

• Determines press operations to check print quality standards and detect malfunctions

• Produces a variety of printed products using relief, lithographic, flexographic and gravure printing presses, and in-line finishing systems

• Prepares plates, blankets and impression cylinders

• Loads paper into feeding mechanisms

• Monitors machine operations and quality of printing

• Undertakes maintenance of machines

• Produces and manages digital print images, and transferring and outputting images

• May set up and operate paper and bookbinding guillotines