Production
Print binding and finishing workers
Bind books and other publications or finish printed products by hand or machine. May set up binding and finishing machines.
Median pay
$42,290
Growth to 2035
−17%
declining
Openings a year
2,300
Time to qualify*
6 months
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Print binding and finishing workers
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- None
Calculate your switch to print binding and finishing workers
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Hazardous conditions
Print binding and finishing workers: 15% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core 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 sizes.
- Trim edges of books to size, 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.
Also called: Binder Operator · Bindery Operator · Bindery Technician · Bindery Worker · Book Binder · Custom Bookbinder · Perfect Binder Operator
Outlook and AI
Print binding and finishing workers held 32,300 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 26,600 by 2035 (−17%, declining; all jobs: +3.5%).
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