Press Operator III - KR

RR Donnelley•St. Charles, IL

About The Position

The Press Operator III sets up, adjusts, operates, and maintains a variety of sheetfed presses, including 40-inch Heidelberg, Komori, and 64-inch and 81-inch KBA presses. The role involves preparing press cylinders and components, making press and feeder adjustments, replacing worn rollers, cleaning press components, and correcting color or register issues to meet required production quality specifications. The operator reads job specifications to determine press setup, materials, settings, and appropriate press usage; performs routine operational maintenance and minor repairs; and provides instruction and guidance to junior-level operators. The position requires thorough knowledge of offset printing procedures, materials, equipment, specifications, and safety requirements. Work is performed on either a day or night schedule, in a rotating Monday–Wednesday or Thursday–Saturday pattern, with overtime on Sundays. Standing is required throughout the shift, and the role includes lifting materials weighing up to 50 pounds occasionally and 35 pounds frequently.

Requirements

At least 2 years of previous experience setting up and running sheetfed presses.
Previous experience operating sheetfed press equipment.
Thorough knowledge of offset printing procedures, materials, specifications, equipment, and safety requirements.
Ability to read and understand job specifications and determine appropriate press usage, settings, and materials.
Ability to make precise settings and adjustments to press controls and equipment.
Ability to adjust feeder and feed board settings, including suctions, blast, front and side guides, and head-stop timing.
Knowledge of appropriate packing pressure to obtain proper printing pressure for the job.
Skill using a micrometer to mount and align printing plates correctly.
Ability to perform routine equipment maintenance and minor repairs.
Ability to make and read measurements.
Ability to communicate in English, read and understand written instructions, and understand verbal instructions.
Ability to work in a team environment.
Ability to stand for the full shift.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally and 35 pounds frequently.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of KBA large-format technology is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

Set up, adjust, operate, and maintain sheetfed presses, including Heidelberg, Komori, and KBA presses.
Install plates and blankets on press cylinders and use packing sheets and reinforcing bars to prepare press components for printing.
Adjust press components and mechanisms, including feeder and delivery mechanisms, suction grippers, guides, feed wheels, jogging devices, tapes, cams, and feed-board settings.
Remove and replace worn rollers and adjust pressure between press rollers.
Wash blankets and clean ink rollers, ink-distributing rollers, and ink fountains using ink solvent and press cleaning mechanisms.
Make color, register, and press adjustments before and during production to meet and maintain job quality specifications.
Read job specifications to determine press setup, required materials, settings, press capabilities, and appropriate press usage.
Perform routine operational maintenance and minor repairs to press equipment.
Instruct and provide guidance to junior-level operators.
Follow safety instructions and operate equipment to produce the required product.