Salary Range
Low (10th %)$29,220
Median$38,100
High (90th %)$56,090
AI Prompt Guides for Print Binding and Finishing Workers
Unlock expert prompt guides tailored for this Print Binding and Finishing Workers. Get strategies to boost your productivity and results with AI.
AI Prompt Tool for Print Binding and Finishing Workers
Experiment with and customize AI prompts designed for this occupation. Try, edit, and save prompts for your workflow.
Bind books and other publications or finish printed products by hand or machine. May set up binding and finishing machines.
The occupation "Print Binding and Finishing Workers" has an automation risk of 26.7%, which is slightly below the base risk of 27.0%. This moderate risk level reflects a balance between repetitive, machine-friendly tasks and those requiring specialized human intervention. Printing and binding involve many steps that are already mechanized, but certain aspects still rely on human judgment, adaptability, and craftsmanship. The ability for machines to handle standard assignments makes some facets of the job susceptible to automation, while custom or restorative work remains more resistant. Among the tasks most likely to be automated are quality inspections and machine operations that follow routine procedures. For instance, examining finished products for defects—such as checking for torn pages or ink spots—relies heavily on pattern recognition, something modern computer vision systems can handle with increasing effectiveness. Additionally, reading work orders for machine setup and adjusting bindery machines to accommodate different product sizes are tasks well-suited for automation due to clear instructions and repeatable processes. As production lines become more intelligent, these activities can be performed efficiently by machines with limited human oversight. Conversely, the least automatable tasks typically demand high levels of creativity, manual dexterity, and problem-solving. Repairing or rebinding rare or old books, for example, requires specialized hand skills and often a nuanced understanding of materials and history. Similarly, punching holes and fastening items or designing custom bindings for special editions involve original thought and adaptation to unique requirements. These bottleneck skills—particularly originality, evaluated at 2.4%—represent areas where automation struggles. The relatively low risk score arises because machines have difficulty replicating creative problem-solving and intricate handiwork essential for personalized or restoration work in print finishing.
Filter by Automatable Status
Read work orders to determine instructions and specifications for machine set-up.
Partially Automatable
Install or adjust bindery machine devices, such as knives, guides, rollers, rounding forms, creasing rams, or clamps, to accommodate sheets, signatures, or books of specified sizes.
Non-Automatable
Trim edges of books to size, using cutting machines, book trimming machines, or hand cutters.
Non-Automatable
Stitch or glue endpapers, bindings, backings, or signatures, using sewing machines, glue machines, or glue and brushes.
Partially Automatable
Monitor machine operations to detect malfunctions or to determine whether adjustments are needed.
Partially Automatable
Maintain records, such as daily production records, using specified forms.
Automatable
Lubricate, clean, or make minor repairs to machine parts to keep machines in working condition.
Non-Automatable
Set up or operate bindery machines, such as coil binders, thermal or tape binders, plastic comb binders, or specialty binders.
Non-Automatable
Set up or operate machines that perform binding operations, such as pressing, folding, or trimming.
Partially Automatable
Prepare finished books for shipping by wrapping or packing books and stacking boxes on pallets.
Non-Automatable
Set up or operate glue machines by filling glue reservoirs, turning switches to activate heating elements, or adjusting glue flow or conveyor speed.
Automatable
Train workers to set up, operate, and use automatic bindery machines.
Partially Automatable
Cut cover material to specified dimensions, fitting and gluing material to binder boards by hand or machine.
Partially Automatable
Cut binder boards to specified dimensions, using board shears, hand cutters, or cutting machines.
Non-Automatable
Bind new books, using hand tools such as bone folders, knives, hammers, or brass binding tools.
Non-Automatable
Compress sewed or glued signatures, using hand presses or smashing machines.
Non-Automatable
Meet with clients, printers, or designers to discuss job requirements or binding plans.
Partially Automatable
Form book bodies by folding and sewing printed sheets to form signatures and assembling signatures in numerical order.
Non-Automatable
Design original or special bindings for limited editions or other custom binding projects.
Partially Automatable
Punch holes in and fasten paper sheets, signatures, or other material, using hand or machine punches and staplers.
Automatable
Repair, restore, or rebind old, rare, or damaged books, using hand tools.
Non-Automatable
Examine stitched, collated, bound, or unbound product samples for defects, such as imperfect bindings, ink spots, torn pages, loose pages, or loose or uncut threads.
Partially Automatable
Insert book bodies in devices that form back edges of books into convex shapes and produce grooves that facilitate cover attachment.
Non-Automatable
Perform highly skilled hand finishing binding operations, such as grooving or lettering.
Non-Automatable
Imprint or emboss lettering, designs, or numbers on book covers, using gold, silver, or colored foil, and stamping machines.
Non-Automatable
Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingOperations MonitoringQuality Control AnalysisSystems EvaluationManagement of Personnel ResourcesWritingSpeakingMathematicsScienceActive LearningLearning StrategiesMonitoringSocial PerceptivenessCoordinationPersuasionNegotiationInstructingService OrientationOperations AnalysisTechnology DesignEquipment SelectionInstallationProgrammingOperation and ControlEquipment MaintenanceTroubleshootingRepairingJudgment and Decision MakingSystems AnalysisTime ManagementManagement of Financial ResourcesManagement of Material Resources
Arm-Hand SteadinessAuditory AttentionCategory FlexibilityControl PrecisionDeductive ReasoningDepth PerceptionDynamic FlexibilityDynamic StrengthExplosive StrengthExtent FlexibilityFar VisionFinger DexterityFlexibility of ClosureFluency of IdeasGlare SensitivityGross Body CoordinationGross Body EquilibriumHearing SensitivityInductive ReasoningInformation OrderingManual DexterityMathematical ReasoningMemorizationMultilimb CoordinationNear VisionNight VisionNumber FacilityOral ComprehensionOral ExpressionOriginalityPerceptual SpeedPeripheral VisionProblem SensitivityRate ControlReaction TimeResponse OrientationSelective AttentionSound LocalizationSpatial OrientationSpeech ClaritySpeech RecognitionSpeed of ClosureSpeed of Limb MovementStaminaStatic StrengthTime SharingTrunk StrengthVisual Color DiscriminationVisualizationWrist-Finger SpeedWritten ComprehensionWritten Expression
Administration and ManagementAdministrativeEconomics and AccountingCustomer and Personal ServicePersonnel and Human ResourcesProduction and ProcessingFood ProductionComputers and ElectronicsEngineering and TechnologyDesignBuilding and ConstructionMechanicalMathematicsPhysicsChemistryBiologyPsychologySociology and AnthropologyHistory and ArcheologyPhilosophy and TheologyPublic Safety and SecurityLaw and GovernmentTelecommunicationsCommunications and MediaTransportationGeographyMedicine and DentistryForeign LanguageEnglish LanguageFine ArtsEducation and TrainingTherapy and CounselingSales and Marketing
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationGetting InformationIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleProcessing InformationEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsAnalyzing Data or InformationUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesScheduling Work and ActivitiesOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkPerforming General Physical ActivitiesHandling and Moving ObjectsControlling Machines and ProcessesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentWorking with ComputersRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentDocumenting/Recording InformationDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentThinking CreativelyEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsAssisting and Caring for OthersSelling or Influencing OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsTraining and Teaching OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesCoaching and Developing OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesStaffing Organizational UnitsMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesMaking Decisions and Solving Problems
Label printing softwareMicrosoft PublisherWeb browser softwareTrade Bindery Software Bindery Estimating SystemLabel printing softwareTrade Bindery Software Bindery Estimating SystemTrade Bindery Software Bindery Management SystemMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PublisherMicrosoft WordWeb browser softwareEmail softwareTrade Bindery Software Bindery Management SystemHouchen Bindery Library Automated Retrieval System LARSHouchen Bindery Library Automated Retrieval System LARSEmail softwareMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft Word
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Medium33.25%
Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Medium38.52%
Set up, operate, or tend grinding and related tools that remove excess material or burrs from surfaces, sharpen edges or corners, or buff, hone, or polish metal or plastic work pieces.
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Medium47.82%
Set up, operate, or tend milling or planing machines to mill, plane, shape, groove, or profile metal or plastic work pieces.
Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic
Medium46.07%
Lay out, machine, fit, and assemble castings and parts to metal or plastic foundry patterns, core boxes, or match plates.
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Medium44.70%
Set up, operate, or tend more than one type of cutting or forming machine tool or robot.
Printing Press Operators
Medium52.63%
Set up and operate digital, letterpress, lithographic, flexographic, gravure, or other printing machines. Includes short-run offset printing presses.
Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials
Low22.15%
Press or shape articles by hand or machine.
Sewing Machine Operators
Medium33.40%
Operate or tend sewing machines to join, reinforce, decorate, or perform related sewing operations in the manufacture of garment or nongarment products.
Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders
Medium41.68%
Operate or tend a variety of machines to join, decorate, reinforce, or finish shoes and shoe parts.
Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders
Medium56.98%
Operate or tend machines to bleach, shrink, wash, dye, or finish textiles or synthetic or glass fibers.
Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Medium50.87%
Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut textiles.
Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Medium52.16%
Set up, operate, or tend machines that knit, loop, weave, or draw in textiles.
Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Medium51.65%
Set up, operate, or tend machines that wind or twist textiles; or draw out and combine sliver, such as wool, hemp, or synthetic fibers. Includes slubber machine and drawing frame operators.
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
Medium44.55%
Set up, operate, or tend woodworking machines, such as drill presses, lathes, shapers, routers, sanders, planers, and wood nailing machines. May operate computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment.
Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
Medium40.69%
Grind, sand, or polish, using hand tools or hand-held power tools, a variety of metal, wood, stone, clay, plastic, or glass objects. Includes chippers, buffers, and finishers.
Cutters and Trimmers, Hand
Medium56.41%
Use hand tools or hand-held power tools to cut and trim a variety of manufactured items, such as carpet, fabric, stone, glass, or rubber.
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Medium44.55%
Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut or slice materials, such as glass, stone, cork, rubber, tobacco, food, paper, or insulating material.
Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders
Medium51.08%
Operate or tend bonding machines that use adhesives to join items for further processing or to form a completed product. Processes include joining veneer sheets into plywood; gluing paper; or joining rubber and rubberized fabric parts, plastic, simulated leather, or other materials.
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Medium44.16%
Set up, operate, or tend paper goods machines that perform a variety of functions, such as converting, sawing, corrugating, banding, wrapping, boxing, stitching, forming, or sealing paper or paperboard sheets into products.
Machine Feeders and Offbearers
High66.68%
Feed materials into or remove materials from machines or equipment that is automatic or tended by other workers.
Office Machine Operators, Except Computer
Medium57.72%
Operate one or more of a variety of office machines, such as photocopying, photographic, and duplicating machines, or other office machines.
Prepress Technicians and Workers
High75.59%
Format and proof text and images submitted by designers and clients into finished pages that can be printed. Includes digital and photo typesetting. May produce printing plates.
Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers
Low22.86%
Construct, decorate, or repair leather and leather-like products, such as luggage, shoes, and saddles. May use hand tools.
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers
Low22.39%
Design, make, alter, repair, or fit garments.
Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers
Medium53.64%
Draw and construct sets of precision master fabric patterns or layouts. May also mark and cut fabrics and apparel.
Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators
Medium54.79%
Perform work involved in developing and processing photographic images from film or digital media. May perform precision tasks such as editing photographic negatives and prints.