Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Controlling Machines and Processes Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

The Work

• Knowledge of scientific principles underlying processes materials
• A broad knowledge of materials, systems and procedures
• Working with a range of instruments, machinery and specialised tools
• Producing layouts, forme sets and operating forme making equipment
• Planning and producing sample cartons,
• Setting and operating cutting machines, creasing machines and set and gluing machines
• Operate quality control and implementing quality assurance procedures

Aspects of work
• Learning and developing new practical craft-related skills, knowledge and competence
• Working with and learning from experienced Craftspersons
• Seeing a job through from start to finish
• Comply with Health and Safety requirements
• Understanding technical specifications

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• 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.
• Read work orders to determine instructions and specifications for machine set-up.
• 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 sises.
• Trim edges of books to sise, using cutting machines, book trimming machines, or hand cutters.
• Stitch or glue endpapers, bindings, backings, or signatures, using sewing machines, glue machines, or glue and brushes.
• Monitor machine operations to detect malfunctions or to determine whether adjustments are needed.
• Maintain records, such as daily production records, using specified forms.
• Lubricate, clean, or make minor repairs to machine parts to keep machines in working condition.
• Set up or operate bindery machines, such as coil binders, thermal or tape binders, plastic comb binders, or specialty binders.
• Set up or operate machines that perform binding operations, such as pressing, folding, or trimming.

Further Information

• Bookbinder (Craft) - from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

There are many pathways into a career in Printng, Book binding, and media graphic production. People may work in the design or production stages of process. Books may be physical hard copy or softcopy E-book publications. 

Training & Development 

How to become a Printing & design Apprentice Check  Irish Print federation
– You must obtain employment as an apprentice in your chosen occupation.
– The employer must be approved to train apprentices.
– The employer must register you as an apprentice within two weeks of recruitment.
– In certain crafts, apprenticeship applicants are required to pass a colour vision test approved by SOLAS. 

FET Centre Traineeship: Animation, Digital Media Production Skills, Computer-Aided Design, Quality Management (Quality Assurance) in centres around Ireland NFQ Level 5-6 Search our FET Coursefinder

FET PLC Courses: Business Management, Marketing, Art, Graphics & Printmaking - Visual Communications - Portfolio Preparation, Graphic design, Product Design and Manufacture at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder

Apprenticeship: Printing (on application) Animation  Apprenticeship NFQ levels 6-9 Search Apprenticeships

The Solas based printing apprenticeship is under review, but accepting expressions of interest 2020-2023. With support from participating printing companies, under the sector leader Irish Printing federation

How to become an Apprentice Check 
– You must obtain employment as an apprentice in your chosen occupation.
– The employer must be approved to train apprentices.
– The employer must register you as an apprentice within two weeks of recruitment.
– In certain crafts, apprenticeship applicants are required to pass a colour vision test approved by SOLAS. 

Higher Education CAO Entry: Graphic Design, Photographic Media, Education in Art, Design and Graphics at NFQ Levels 7-8 Search our CAO coursefinder

Postgraduate Study Options Sales, Business, Management, Advertising - Creative Stream NFQ level 9

Professional Development 

Design & Print Skillsnet 

Irish Printing Federation  

Last Updated: November, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €23k - €41k

Salaries vary depending on employer, location, experience, and duties.

Data Source(s):
Payscale / Indeed / Salary expert

Last Updated: March, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

The five-year annual average employment growth rate was below average for this occupation, although there was an increase of over 2,000 persons employed between 2021 and 2022. As the Census data indicates, there are a large number of roles within this group, with many employing fewer than 1,000 persons. Between 2016 and 2022, employment levels fell for many of these roles.

Despite the decline in employment evident in the Census data, the Skills for Growth data indicates issues with recruitment of upholsterers for both the industry and retail (repair) sectors; upholsterers also appeared in the DSP Jobs Ireland vacancy data (albeit in small numbers), along with spray painters (included in the other skilled trades n.e.c. category). Although demand for many of these trades have declined in recent years, an increased focus on the circular economy may see increased demand, or at least slow the decline for roles such as upholsterers and tailors.

• Design & Crafts Council of Ireland

  • Castle Yard, Kilkenny
  • (056) 776 1804
  • Click Here

• Booksellers Association of the United Kingdom and Ireland

  • Minister House, 272 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London SW1V 1BA, UK
  • Click Here