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How exposed to AI is a Printing Press Operator?

Of the 23 tasks O*NET lists for printing press operators, 0 could be done in half the time with a chat window today. 16 cannot be sped up at all. Here is which.

Exposure means published research judged an AI could halve the time a task takes, at the same quality. It does not mean the task stops needing a person. How to read this

Also called
Digital Press OperatorFlexographic Press OperatorOffset Press OperatorOffset PressmanPress OperatorPressmanPrinterPrinting Press OperatorPrinting PressmanWeb Press Operator
Reachable today Needs software built first Cannot be sped up
23
tasks rated for this occupation
0%
hold a degree, from a survey of 25
145k
people do this job in the US
11 of 107
least protected in production

Every task, and what AI can do with it

These are O*NET's task statements for this occupation, exactly as written, sorted into the three bands by the ratings behind this report. Nothing has been reworded.

Only with software built on top

7
  • Examine job orders to determine quantities to be printed, stock specifications, colors, or special printing instructions
  • Input production job settings into workstation terminals that control automated printing systems
  • Maintain time or production records
  • Download or scan files to be printed, using printing production software
  • Adjust digital files to alter print elements, such as fonts, graphics, or color separations
  • Download completed jobs to archive media so that questions can be answered or jobs replicated
  • Control workflow scheduling or job tracking, using computer database software

Cannot be sped up

16
  • Start presses and pull proofs to check for ink coverage and density, alignment, and registration
  • Adjust ink fountain flow rates
  • Verify that paper and ink meet the specifications for a given job
  • Collect and inspect random samples during print runs to identify any necessary adjustments
  • Feed paper through press cylinders and adjust feed and tension controls
  • Monitor automated press operation systems and respond to fault, error, or alert messages
  • Load presses with paper and make necessary adjustments, according to paper size
  • Secure printing plates to printing units and adjust tolerances
  • Clean ink fountains, plates, or printing unit cylinders when press runs are completed
  • Change press plates, blankets, or cylinders, as required
  • Obtain or mix inks and fill ink fountains
  • Clean or oil presses or make minor repairs, using hand tools
  • Monitor inventory levels on a regular basis, ordering or requesting additional supplies, as necessary
  • Monitor environmental factors, such as humidity and temperature, that may impact equipment performance and make necessary adjustments
  • Direct or monitor work of press crews
  • Set up or operate auxiliary equipment, such as cutting, folding, plate-making, drilling, or laminating machines
What this does not say

This is not a prediction about your job

Nobody surveyed an employer. Tasks are counted equally, so a percentage here is a share of the list rather than a share of your week. And the ratings were made in 2023, which makes every figure a floor rather than a ceiling.

It must never be used to select anyone for redundancy. The full limits are here.

Where to go next

This is the standard task list for the title. The useful next question is which of the tasks you actually do should go near AI, and which should not.

Sort your own tasks Read the full report

Exposure ratings from Eloundou, Manning, Mishkin and Rock, GPTs are GPTs: Labor market impact potential of LLMs, Science 384, 1306–1308, 2024, used under the MIT licence. This page includes information from the O*NET Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. People Team AI has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Employment figures from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.