Job Description

Job Title:                                 Offset Press Operator

Department:                           Offset

Reports To:                             Production Manager

JOB SUMMARY

Responsibilities include maintaining, understanding of offset printing press operations, setup, and running jobs on offset printing presses, reading, understanding print job information identifying and using correct stock, paper, paper width, ink, and ink settings, as well as operating and maintaining the machines to print a wide variety of printed materials. In addition, duties include running the press, reviewing the printed materials for quality and accuracy, ensuring all prints are error-free, in accordance with the order and to meet client expectations. Responsible to ensure quality, color, and errors are identified before a run, to create one or more sample copies for review in the beginning of the job, and throughout the process, and as needed when in question with the salesperson, a manager and/or the client. As jobs are set and running, perform inspections on equipment and make basic repairs as needed, clean, and prepare for the next job in the queue. This position also requires some bindery and other finishing work as needed to complete the job in its entirely and as final preparation for the client.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES

• Proficiently utilizes Company software programs
• Follows Company processes and procedures
• Reports to work on time, ready and able to perform functions of the job
• Reviews and verifies job specifications such as quantity, special instructions, size, color, and stock, and correct ink color(s)  
• Examines plates for visual defects, makes corrections
• Determines correct materials, ink, chemicals, and supplies
• Retrieves correct paper and ink for the job, bends, lifts, transports paper to the press
• Loads the press with paper
• Adjusts feed guides, grippers, and chain or chute delivery for proper operation
• Adjusts controls to regulate volume of ink
• Proficiently and independently set-up, operate and maintain offset sheetfed press
• Installs plate, registers job, and blankets on press cylinders, adjust press machine parts,
• such as a feeder, delivery mechanisms, guides, feed wheels, jogging device, tapes, and cams
• Adjusts feeder and delivery mechanism
• Set up, load and trouble shoot the press feeder operations
• Runs proof sheets and checks first sheet against color proof for all colors
• printed to determine compliance with job specifications and print quality
• Obtain proof sheet approval (when necessary) before printing job
• Prints job maintaining optimum print quality and production speed, and completes
• required jobs in an efficient, safe, and cost-effective manner by maintaining proper
• adjustments of press controls, ink and fountain solutions, and automatic feeders and
• stackers
• Maintains cleanliness of work area; sanitizes, sweeps, dusts area
• Maintains current knowledge of new or improved press methods, materials, equipment,
• and supplies
• As needed maintains a file of approved press sheets of all jobs for future reference
• Ensures proper upkeep of workstation, daily press reviews and maintenance
• Stacks jobs on pallets, in boxes and/or on carts
• Performs regular cleaning, minor repairs, lubricates press, adjusts controls, checks to ensure all parts are
• in good repair, repairs as able and notifies supervisor when in need of additional
• maintenance assistance
• Set up the press, installing blankets and plates, adjusting space between blanket and impression cylinder, adjusting water dampers, and mixing fountain solution for proper pH
• Cuts paper to correct size using cutter
• Fasten reinforcing bars to offset blankets and install plates and blankets on press cylinders, adjusts pressure required for printing
• Adjust press machine parts, such as feeder and delivery mechanisms, suction grippers, guides, feed wheels, jogging devices, tapes, and cams, using hand tools
• Assist in removing and replacing worn rollers and adjusting pressure between rollers of press, using hand tools
• Wash blankets and clean ink distributing rollers and ink fountains, using ink solvent and cleaning mechanism on press
• Makes necessary color or register corrections and/or press adjustments prior to production run to meet and maintain the quality specifications of the work
• Bindery and mailing work as needed
• Utilize tools for repairs
• Performs other duties as assigned

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This job has no supervisory responsibilities. Carries out conduct responsibilities in accordance with company policies, procedures, safety, and applicable laws.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

High school diploma or general education degree (GED): three to five years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience is preferred but not required.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, correspond, and communicate with sales, supervisors, and other team members both in written and verbally. Ability to effectively present information one-on-one and in group situations with other employees of the organization and from time to time with clients.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to work to identify and solve problems involving a few concrete variables in standard situations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands and fingers to handle or feel materials; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear, identify correct color, use close vision, color identification, depth perception and overall vision to identify defects. The employee is occasionally required to sit, stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must regularly lift/or move up to 25-50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move 70 pounds. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes, or airborne particles. The employee occasionally must access high, shelves to obtain materials; exposed to ink, chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is moderate to loud.