Printers

Printers set up and operate letterpress, lithographic, flexographic, gravure, newspaper, instant, digital and offset printing presses.

**Indicative skill level:**

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below.

#### In Australia:

- AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, or AQF Certificate IV (ANZSCO Skill Level 3)

#### In New Zealand:

- NZQF Level 4 qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 3)

At least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications listed above. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.

**Tasks include:**

- setting, adjusting and monitoring substrate-feed mechanisms, delivery mechanisms, inking systems and other printing machine functions - mixing ink and solvents to standard, and regulating paper and ink supply during print runs - monitoring, evaluating and determining press operations manually and by computer to check print quality standards against proofs and detect malfunctions - producing a variety of printed products using relief, lithographic, flexographic and gravure printing presses, and in-line finishing systems - preparing plates, blankets and impression cylinders on small offset lithographic printing presses - loading paper into feeding mechanisms - monitoring machine operations and quality of printing - undertaking maintenance, adjustment, repair and cleaning of machines - producing and managing digital print images, and transferring and outputting images - may set up and operate paper and bookbinding guillotines