Small commercial shops tend to have relatively small presses which print only one or two colors at a time and are operated by one person. Operators who work with large presses have assistants and helpers. Large newspaper, magazine, and book printers use giant in-line web presses that require a crew of several press operators and press assistants. These presses are fed paper in big rolls, called webs, up to 50 inches or more in width. Most plants have or soon will have installed printing presses that have computers and sophisticated instruments to control press operations, making it possible to set up for jobs in much less time.
Computers allow press operators to perform the tasks described above electronically.
With this equipment, press operators monitor the printing process on a control panel that allows them to adjust the press electronically by pushing buttons. Press operators are on their feet most of the time. Operating a press can be physically and mentally demanding, and sometimes tedious. Press operators are on their feet most of the time. Often, operators work under pressure to meet deadlines.