Career Details :: Photoengraving and Lithographing Machine Operators and Tenders
Description
Operate or tend photoengraving and lithographing equipment, such as plate-graining, pantograph, roll-varnishing, and routing machines.
Experience
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed. For example, a drywall installer might benefit from experience installing drywall, but an inexperienced person could still learn to be an installer with little difficulty.
Education
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work. In some cases, an associate's or bachelor's degree could be needed.
Training
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees.
Tasks
- Copies printed materials such as documents and drawing using blueprint machine.
- Examines finished blueprint for specified color, intensity, and sharpness of line.
- Mounts finished plates on wood, synthetic, or metal blocks either by hand or using automatic plate-mounting equipment.
- Applies acid-resistant ink to varnished copper roller and examines for ink smears or cavities filled with ink.
- Maintains machinery, such as automatic film processor and exposure machine, in working order.
- Examines printing plates with magnifier for uniformity, size, and structures of grain and washes off excess sediment.
- Paints over pinholes, scratches, and reference points on roller using brush and acid-resistant paint.
- Rolls out and hammers used printing plates to remove gripper marks and bent corners.
- Grains printing plates by wet or dry sandblasting or using glass marbles.
- Cuts printing plates from sheets of aluminum and zinc using power shears.
- Operates machinery such as film processor, graining machine, and varnishing equipment.
- Cuts excess metal and bevels edges of printing plates using routing machine.
- Immerses and turns printing roller in bath solutions to dissolve coating, develop image, and dye using electric hoist.
Related Careers
- Camera Operators
- Dot Etchers
- Engraver Set-Up Operators
- Marking and Identification Printing Machine Setters and Set-Up Operators
- Molding and Casting Workers
- Platemakers
Important Abilities
General Work Activities
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Monitor Processes, Material, Surroundings
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Repairing & Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
Important Skills
- Product Inspection
- Equipment Maintenance
- Equipment Selection
- Operation and Control
- Problem Identification
Frequent Work Context
- Degree of Automation
- Indoors
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Importance of Being Sure All Is Done
- Consequence of Error
Related Majors
| Major | Add to XapPack |
|---|---|
| Electronic Publishing/Imaging |  [ add ] |
| Graphic Arts Technology | [ add ] |
| Graphic Communications Management | [ add ] |
| Graphic Communications Technology | [ add ] |
| Graphics Technology | [ add ] |
| Imaging Science | [ add ] |
| Imaging Systems Management | [ add ] |
| Imaging/Photographic Technology | [ add ] |
| Printing | [ add ] |
| Printing Management | [ add ] |
| Printing Technology | [ add ] |
| Printing/Applied Computer Science | [ add ] |
Institutions Offering Related Majors
No institutions found.