Sheet-Fed Offset Press Operators
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Job description
These individuals use presses to print on different materials. They prepare, start up, and maintain these machines. They monitor the printing process. They check the quality of the finished print product. They work in:
- Screen printing workshops
- Commercial and industrial printing companies
- Publishing houses
- School service centres and universities
- Stamping and packaging companies
Environment
- Controlled ambient temperature
- Odours
- Noise
Main tasks
- Install and adjust plates and cylinders.
- Determine the adjustments required to obtain the desired colour and finish.
- Prepare the press and check samples to evaluate various parameters (ink coverage, alignment, etc.).
- Ensure product conformity and make adjustments.
- Remove and clean the plates and cylinders after printing.
Advancement and mobility
- Experience leads to supervisory positions.
Training and requirements
Formation
Most training programs are offered in French only.
Secondary
Sometimes required
- A Class 5 driver’s licence is often required.
Main skills and characteristics
Skills
- Data collection
- Quality control analysis
- Monitoring operations
- Information processing
- Reading comprehension
- Active listening
- Result evaluation
- Operations and control
- Critical thought
- Coordination
- Troubleshooting
- Equipment maintenance
- Oral expression
- Time management
- Judgment and decision-making
- Solving complex problems
Abilities
- Near vision
- Awareness of issues
- Written comprehension
- Oral comprehension
- Information organization
- Colour perception and distinction
- Visualization
- Digital dexterity
- Manual dexterity
- Verbal skills
- Control accuracy
- Deductive reasoning
- Perception speed
- Hand-arm stability
- Selective attention
- Speech clarity
- Classification
- Inductive reasoning
- Speech recognition
- Distance vision
Knowledge and attributes
- Autonomy
- Capacity to work in a team
- Sense of initiative
- Attention to detail
- Vitality
- Assiduity and punctuality
- Sense of observation
- Commitment to quality
- Timeliness
- Knowledge of mechanics
Interests
- Make, build, install
- Work manually
Personality profiles (RIASEC)
- Realistic
- People with this profile prefer carrying out concrete tasks and being physically involved in what they do.
- Investigative
- People with this profile prefer relying on theoretical knowledge before acting. They like observation, analysis and problem solving.
- Social
- People with this profile prefer to be in contact with others, in particular to entertain, help or teach them.
Appellation d’emploi liée (à traduire)
Printing press operators (CNP 73401)
Skill type
Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations
Related occupations
Last update: January 29, 2026
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