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Career pathway

Printers

ANZSCO 3923

Employed

8,800

Part-time share

19%

Female share

4%

Median weekly earnings

$1,408

Median age

49 yrs

Employment outlook

Declining

Source: Jobs and Skills Australia · ABS 2021 Census of Population and Housing.

About this career

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

What they typically do

  • 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

States and territories

Share of workers by location

VIC
34.8%
NSW
26.4%
QLD
17.5%
SA
11.1%
WA
5.1%
TAS
2.4%
ACT
1.5%
NT
1%

Qualification pathways

These accredited qualifications can lead to a career as a Printers.

  • Certificate III in Printing

    ICP31220 · AQF 3 · 8 providers

    View qualification
  • Certificate IV in Printing and Graphic Arts Management

    ICP40120 · AQF 4 · 1 providers

    View qualification