How to become a plateless printing equipment operator
Official title: Plateless printing equipment operators
Also called: Screen print operator, Box printer - printing, Colour copier operator, Die stamper - printing, Laser printer operator, Transfer press operator, Printer-slotter operator, Colour photocopy operator, Colour photocopier operator, High speed printer operator, Printer operator - printing, Tag-printing machine tender
Plateless printing equipment operators operate laser printers, computerized high speed colour copiers and other printing machines to print text, illustrations and designs on a wide variety of materials such as paper, plastic, glass, leather, and metal. They are employed in rapid printing services, newspaper and magazine publishing companies, commercial printing companies and in manufacturing and other establishments that have in-house printing facilities.
Main tasks
- Review work order to determine job specifications, such as ink colour and quantity required
- Set up and make adjustments to printing machine, such as filling ink or paint reservoirs and loading stock
- Input codes and key in programming data on console keyboard of computerized machines
- Operate and monitor printing machines during print run and make adjustments as required
- Clean machines and replace worn parts
How to become one
Completion of secondary school may be required. Completion of college or other specialized courses in printing may be required. On-the-job training is provided.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $40,950 a year The middle half earn $35,100 to $46,800.
- About 5,800 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 6,200 are projected by 2033. (+6.9%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: balance.
Related jobs
- Camera, platemaking and other prepress occupations
- Binding and finishing machine operators
- Photographic and film processors
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Questions people ask
How do I become a plateless printing equipment operator?
Completion of secondary school may be required. Completion of college or other specialized courses in printing may be required. On-the-job training is provided.
How much does a plateless printing equipment operator earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $40,950 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $35,100 to $46,800.
Is a plateless printing equipment operator a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 7% by 2033, from about 5,800 to about 6,200 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a plateless printing equipment operator?
Usually not. Only 14% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03