How to become a Print Finisher
Also called: Bookbinder
Binds books and other publications, and finishes printed products.
Main tasks
- Sets up and supervises the operation of automatic binding and finishing equipment
- Binds full, half and limp-bound books, and repairs bindings
- Folds printed sheets to prepare booklets, brochures and other printed items, and embellishes printed products
- Operates paper guillotines for pre-press and post-press paper cutting and trimming, and programs electronically operated units
- Operates systems to insert printed material into newspapers, magazines and envelopes
Ways in
- Apprenticeship: Certificate III in Print Binding, Finishing and Packaging. Trade occupations are usually entered through an apprenticeship: paid work plus this qualification, typically 3 to 4 years.
- TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Print Binding, Finishing and Packaging (ICP31320); Certificate III in Printing (ICP31220); Certificate IV in Printing and Graphic Arts Management (ICP40120); Diploma of Printing and Graphic Arts Business Management (ICP50120)
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- About 3,000 people work in this job group now, and about 3,200 are projected by 2035. (+5.1%)
- AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Print Finisher?
Ways in include: Certificate III in Print Binding, Finishing and Packaging; Certificate III in Printing; Certificate III in Print Binding, Finishing and Packaging.
Is a Print Finisher a growing career in Australia?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5% by 2035, from about 3,000 to about 3,200 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Do you need a degree to become a Print Finisher?
Usually not. Only 8% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate III in Print Binding, Finishing and Packaging; Certificate III in Printing; Certificate III in Print Binding, Finishing and Packaging.
Will AI change the work of a Print Finisher?
AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.
Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04
Updated 2026-10-04