73401

Printing press operators

TEER 3 — College diploma, shorter apprenticeship or 6+ months training

Express Entry skill level: Yes
Regulated in Québec: No
In demand in Manitoba: No

Classification

Trades, transport & equipment operators

7 › 73 › 734 › 7340

Definition

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. They are employed by commercial printing companies; newspapers, magazines, and other publishing companies; and establishments in the public and private sectors that have in-house printing departments. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:
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.

Example job titles

•apprentice pressman/woman
•assistant pressman/woman
•first pressman/woman
•flexographic press operator
•offset press operator
•printing press operator
•rotogravure pressman/woman - printing

Overview

Under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021, printing press operators are classified under NOC code 73401. This occupation falls under TEER Category 3, which typically requires completion of a college program, an apprenticeship training program, or several years of on-the-job training in the field. These skilled workers operate and maintain web or sheet-fed presses to print text and illustrations on paper, metal, plastics, and other materials for newspapers, magazines, packaging, and commercial printing products.

To meet the ESDC requirements for NOC 73401, printing press operators must perform core duties such as reviewing job specifications, setting up presses, loading paper and ink, monitoring machine operations, and troubleshooting mechanical issues to maintain quality standards. They are primarily employed by commercial printing companies, newspaper publishers, and manufacturing firms with in-house printing departments. Individuals with experience in this occupation may be eligible for Canadian economic immigration programs, such as Express Entry's Federal Skilled Worker Program and Canadian Experience Class, as well as various Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP).

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional immigration advice. For official guidelines and up-to-date program requirements, please consult Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Educational overview summarizing this occupation. Always confirm against the official NOC profile and IRCC before relying on it.

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Occupation data: Statistics Canada / ESDC — National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021.