Graphic and Printing Equipment Operator, General Production
Total graduates
128
2025 · 11 schools
International share
0.8%
1 international students
Bachelor's degrees
21
0.0% international
Overview
Graphic and Printing Equipment Operator, General Production is a specialized field focused on the operation and management of equipment used in the graphic arts and printing industries. This program typically covers a range of topics, including the principles of printing technology, color theory, and the various types of printing processes such as digital, offset, and screen printing.
Students in this program learn how to set up, operate, and maintain printing machinery, ensuring that production runs smoothly and efficiently. They gain hands-on experience with different types of printing equipment, including presses and digital printers, and learn about the pre-press and post-press processes. In addition to technical skills, the curriculum often includes training in quality control, troubleshooting, and problem-solving, which are essential for maintaining high standards in production.
The demand for skilled graphic and printing equipment operators is driven by the ever-evolving nature of the printing industry, which increasingly incorporates digital technologies. Graduates of this program can find employment in various settings, including commercial printing companies, publishing houses, and in-house printing departments for corporations.
Overall, a career as a Graphic and Printing Equipment Operator offers opportunities for creativity and technical expertise, making it a vital role in the production of printed materials, packaging, and promotional products. As the industry continues to innovate, professionals in this field will need to stay updated with the latest technologies and trends to remain competitive.
Graduates by year
AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral
From 2003 to 2025, graduates fell 86% and the international share went from 2.1% to 0.8%.
Colleges that award this degree
In 2025, 11 schools awarded this degree as a first major. The table lists those in the 2027 U.S. News National or Liberal Arts rankings, plus the unranked schools with the most graduates.
| Rank | School | State | Graduates | International |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Columbus State Community College | Ohio | 33 | 0 |
| — | University of Puerto Rico-Carolina | Puerto Rico | 21 | 0 |
| — | Orange County Community College | New York | 17 | 0 |
| — | Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology | Pennsylvania | 17 | 0 |
| — | Fulton-Montgomery Community College | New York | 13 | 0 |
| — | Tarrant County College District | Texas | 10 | 1 |
| — | Riverside City College | California | 6 | 0 |
| — | Central Texas College | Texas | 5 | 0 |
| — | Flint Hills Technical College | Kansas | 3 | 0 |
| — | Mineral Area College | Missouri | 2 | 0 |
| — | Fresno City College | California | 1 | 0 |
Purple: international students are 25% or more of the school's graduates.
Related jobs and pay
| Occupation | US employment | Mean hourly wage | Mean annual wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Printing Press Operators | 144,260 | $22.77 | $47,360 |
| Data Entry Keyers | 127,080 | $20.82 | $43,310 |
| Prepress Technicians and Workers | 23,840 | $24.43 | $50,800 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Graduate counts: IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education, 2003–2025. Rankings: 2027 U.S. News.