Printing press operators
Printing press operators set up and operate sheet and web-fed presses to print text, illustrations and designs on a wide variety of materials such as paper, plastic, glass, leather and metal. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.
Moderate
Market Demand
TEER 3
Skill Level
NS, QC, ON
Top Provinces
What They Do
- Review job orders to determine job specifications such as production time, colour sequence and quantities required, and advise press crew of these specifications
- Mount plates or cylinders and make necessary adjustments
- Fill ink fountains and take measurements, make adjustments and determine settings to control colour and viscosity
- Set up press and check samples for ink coverage, alignment and registration
- Monitor regular press runs for quality and consistency using computer control console and make adjustments as required
- Remove and clean plates and cylinders at end of press run
- Direct activities of press crew and ensure that safety procedures are adhered to.
Qualifications
- checkCompletion of secondary school is usually required.
- checkCompletion of a college program in printing technology ora combination of on-the-job training and specialized high school, college or industry courses is usually required.
- checkTrade certification is available, but voluntary, in Québec.
Market Outlook by Province
Nova Scotia
The employment outlook will be Moderate for printing press operators (NOC 73401) in Nova Scotia for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.Several positions will become available due to retirements.There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Here are some key facts about printing press operators in Nova Scotia: Approximately 350 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Printing press operators mainly work in the following sectors: Printing and related support activities (NAICS 323): 59%Plastics and rubber products and chemicals manufacturing (NAICS 325-326): 22%Paper manufacturing (NAICS 322): 5% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 92% compared to 82% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 8% compared to 18% for all occupations67% of printing press operators work all year, while 33% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 43 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.7% of printing press operators are self-employed compared to an average of 11% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 94% compared to 51% for all occupations Women: 6% compared to 49% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: 23% compared to 10% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 47% compared to 27% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 7% compared to 12% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 14% compared to 22% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 5% compared to 20% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
Moderate
Outlook
Quebec
The employment outlook will be Moderate for printing press operators (NOC 73401) in Quebec for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment is expected to remain relatively stable.Several positions will become available due to retirements.There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Here are some key facts about printing press operators in Quebec: Approximately 3,350 people work in this occupation. Printing press operators mainly work in the following sectors: Printing and related support activities (NAICS 323): 59%Paper manufacturing (NAICS 322): 8%Plastics and rubber products manufacturing (NAICS 326): 5% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 92% compared to 82% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 8% compared to 18% for all occupations67% of printing press operators work all year, while 33% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 45 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.Less than 5% of printing press operators are self-employed compared to an average of 12% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 87% compared to 52% for all occupations Women: 13% compared to 48% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: 22% compared to 12% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 33% compared to 19% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 27% compared to 19% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 14% compared to 22% for all occupations bachelor's degree: less than 5% compared to 17% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 11% for all occupations
Moderate
Outlook
Ontario
The employment outlook will be Moderate for printing press operators (NOC 73401) in Ontario for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment decline will lead to the loss of some positions.Several positions will become available due to retirements.There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Here are some key facts about printing press operators in Ontario: Approximately 7,000 people work in this occupation. Printing press operators mainly work in the following sectors: Printing and related support activities (NAICS 323): 55%Motor vehicle, body, trailer and parts manufacturing (NAICS 3361-3363): 16% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 91% compared to 81% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 9% compared to 19% for all occupations62% of printing press operators work all year, while 38% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 43 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.7% of printing press operators are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 84% compared to 52% for all occupations Women: 16% compared to 48% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: 18% compared to 9% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 49% compared to 25% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 11% compared to 8% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 16% compared to 22% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 6% compared to 24% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 13% for all occupations
Moderate
Outlook
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Immigration Pathways
TEER 3 occupations require college or vocational training and qualify for Express Entry under the Federal Skilled Trades Program.
Express Entry (FSTP)
Canadian Experience Class
Provincial Nominee Programs
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Top Companies Hiring
Organizations with the most NOC 73401 openings right now.
Win0623
1 active role · Winnipeg, MB
Newprint
1 active role · Ottawa, ON
BC Liquor Distribution Branch
1 active role · Victoria, BC
Toyoda Gosei
1 active role · Palmerston, ON
Graphic Packaging International
1 active role · Saint-Hyacinthe, QC
Great Little Box Company
1 active role · Richmond, BC
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Search Printing press operatorsarrow_forwardCore Competencies
Operation Monitoring of Machinery and Equipment
to detect performance issues, adjust machine settings and ensure optimal print quality, while troubleshooting minor mechanical problems
Quality Control Testing
to conduct routine checks on print quality, such as colour consistency, alignment and registration, adhering to job specifications
Control of Settings
to adjusting ink flow, paper alignment, speed settings and quality checks, while following standard operating procedures
Near Vision
to clearly see details at close range, such as inspecting printed materials for quality, aligning materials on presses and readingmachinery controls gauges
Attention to Detail
to meticulously monitor printing processes, inspect final outputs for colour consistency, alignment and clarity and make precise adjustments
Knowledge in Vehicle, Machinery and Equipment Operations
to understand operating and maintaining printing machinery, including setting up presses, monitoring output and performing routine adjustments
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