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Printing Machinist

Printing machinists set up and operate letterpress, lithographic, flexographic and gravure printing presses.

Letterpress printing is the oldest form of printing, in which ink is applied to a raised surface and transferred directly to paper through pressure.

Offset lithography is a process of printing from a plate having a flat surface (planographic).

Flexographic printing uses a raised surface on a flexible rubber or photopolymer plate.

Gravure printing uses a recessed cylinder to remove excess ink from the paper's surface, producing an engraved design effect (intaglio).

Printing machinists may perform the following tasks:

prepare image materials such as relief, planographic (flat) and intaglio printing plates
fit printing plates or cylinders on presses, mix the inks that go on them and adjust the colour flow to the image
adjust the paper feeding devices which separate and feed sheets through the machine
carry out minor repairs and routine maintenance
set up and operate 'in-line' finishing functions.

With experience and sometimes further training, it is possible to progress to supervisory and management positions.

Printing machinists work in both small businesses and large manufacturing companies, and with single and multi-colour printing presses.

Required Skills - Printing Machinist