Printing machine operators, also known as press operators, prepare, operate, and maintain the printing presses in a pressroom. Duties of printing machine operators vary according to the type of press they operate—offset lithography, gravure, flexography, screen printing, letterpress, and digital.

In small print shops, job printers are usually responsible for all three stages. They check proofs for errors and print clarity and correct mistakes, print the job, and attach each copy’s pages together.

Welders use many types of welding equipment set up in a variety of positions, such as flat, vertical, horizontal, and overhead.

Bindery workers set up, operate, and maintain the machines that perform these various tasks.

Tool and die makers are among the most highly skilled workers in manufacturing. These workers produce tools, dies, and special guiding and holding devices that enable machines to manufacture a variety of products we use daily—from clothing and furniture to heavy equipment and parts for aircraft.

In general, these workers can be separated into two groups—those who set up machines for operation and those who tend the machines during production.

Computer control programmers and operators use computer numerically controlled (CNC) machines to cut and shape precision products, such as automobile parts, machine parts, and compressors.

Machinists use machine tools, such as lathes, milling machines, and machining centers, to produce precision metal parts.