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Career Details : Job Printers

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Description

Set type according to copy; operate press to print job order; and read proof for errors and clarity of impression, and correct imperfections. Job printers are often found in small establishments where work combines several job skills.

Experience

Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.

Education

A bachelor's degree is the minimum formal education required for these occupations. However, many also require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Training

Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

Tasks

  • Removes assembled type from galley and places type on composing stone.
  • Corrects errors by resetting type and improves impression by tapping face of type with hammer.
  • Pushes button to start press, examines printed sheets, and adjusts press when printing is defective.
  • Inserts spacers between words and leads between lines.
  • Places chase over type, inserts quoins, and locks chase to hold type.
  • Runs proof sheet through press and examines sheet for clarity of impression.
  • Cleans ink rollers at end of run.
  • Selects type from type case and inserts type in printer's stick to reproduce material in copy.
  • Fills ink fountain and moves lever to adjust flow of ink.
  • Sets feed guides according to size and thickness of paper.
  • Positions form (type in locked chase) on bed of press and tightens clamps, using wrench.
  • Slides type from stick into galley.
  • Lays form on proof press, inks type, fastens paper to press roller, and pulls roller over form to make proof copy.
  • Reads proof for errors and clarity of impression.

    Related Careers

    Important Abilities

    General Work Activities

    Important Skills

    Frequent Work Context

    • Degree of Automation
    • Indoors
    • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
    • Consequence of Error
    • Frustrating Circumstances

    Related Majors

    Major Add to MyFSA
    Electronic Publishing/Imagingadd Electronic Publishing/Imaging to MyFSA
    Graphic Arts Technologyadd Graphic Arts Technology to MyFSA
    Graphic Communications Managementadd Graphic Communications Management to MyFSA
    Graphic Communications Technologyadd Graphic Communications Technology to MyFSA
    Graphics Technologyadd Graphics Technology to MyFSA
    Printingadd Printing to MyFSA
    Printing Managementadd Printing Management to MyFSA
    Printing Technologyadd Printing Technology to MyFSA
    Printing/Applied Computer Scienceadd Printing/Applied Computer Science to MyFSA
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