Printing Machinist

Overview

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

Day-to-day

• 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.