Finishing Careers In The Printing Industry

When the press run is done, the printing project is ready for cutting, folding, binding, trimming or sewing of printed material into a final form. Finishers are skilled workers who use machinery to cut, fold, collate, cut, bind and sew printed products.

Sometimes a job may require extra processes such as embossing, lamination, or cutting to complex shapes. The printer may do this, but it is often sent to a specialist company. Most print finishers are multi-skilled and able to do some or all of these jobs.

Many of the jobs are in commercial printing plants. Another large employer of bindery workers are bindery trade shops, which specialize in providing binding services for printers without binderies or whose printing production exceeds the printers binding capabilities.

Learning Position

Summary

General worker with a variety of duties supporting operators and assistants in the finishing area.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Support operators and other workers in finishing area.
• Learn basic binding skills.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Basic mathematics; important is how to do fractions and read a ruler
• Language skills to include learning the terms of the trade
• Pays careful attention to detail; accuracy, patience, neatness and good eyesight are also important
• Manual dexterity is essential in order to count, insert, paste, and fold.
• Mechanical aptitude is needed to operate the newer, more automated equipment.
• Willingness to learn
• Technical college training recomended

Finishing Operator III

Summary

Back-up and support other finishing operators while learning how to run and operate various machines that cut, fold, gather, bind and trim printed sheets into a final finished piece.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Back-up and support operators
• Learn easier machines

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Prior experience as a helper
• Basic mathematics; important is how to do fractions and read a ruler
• Language skills to include learning the terms of the trade
• Pays careful attention to detail; accuracy, patience, neatness and good eyesight are also important
• Manual dexterity is essential in order to count, insert, paste, and fold.
• Mechanical aptitude is needed to operate the newer, more automated equipment.
• Willingness to learn
• Technical college training recomended

Finishing Operator II

Summary

Specializes on one or two pieces of equipment.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Able to operate some machinery with limited supervision.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Prior operating experience
• Basic mathematics; important is how to do fractions and read a ruler
• Language skills to include learning the terms of the trade
• Pays careful attention to detail; accuracy, patience, neatness and good eyesight are also important
• Manual dexterity is essential in order to count, insert, paste, and fold.
• Mechanical aptitude is needed to operate the newer, more automated equipment.
• Willingness to learn
• Technical college training recomended

Lead Operator

Summary

Highly skilled and trained in one or more aspects of finishing.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsible for set-up, operation and result of product
• Knows equipment intimately
• Performs routine maintenance
• Trains lesser skilled operators

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• 4 - 6 years finishing experience
• Basic mathematics; important is how to do fractions and read a ruler, some entry level computer skills
• Language skills to include learning the terms of the trade
• Decision maker and problem solver
• Pays careful attention to detail; accuracy, patience, neatness and good eyesight are also important
• Manual dexterity is essential in order to count, insert, paste, and fold.
• Mechanical aptitude is needed to operate the newer, more automated equipment.
• Willingness to learn
• Technical college training recomended

Finishing Supervisor

Summary

Continual learning position. New leadership skills required. Sees and schedules the products through the finishing department keeping all workers busy.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsible for all employees on shop floor
• Understands production systems, i.e. sets production schedules

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Prior experience in bindery (vocational or technical background useful)
• Thorough knowledge of finishing process
• Understanding of interconnections between bindery and other phases of production
• Good overall understanding of finishing business
• Strong mathematical skills and mechanical aptitude
• Excellent Management and People Skills
• Ability to communicate clearly with both clients and technicians
• Ability to make well-considered and timely decisions
• Leadership skills
• Understands the needs of the customer
• Willingness to learn
• Technical College degree recommended