NOC 73401: Printing press operators
Printing press operators set up and operate sheet and web-fed presses to print text, illustrations and designs on a wide variety of materials such as paper, plastic, glass, leather and metal. They are employed by commercial printing companies; newspapers, magazines, and other publishing companies; and establishments in the public and private sectors that have in-house printing departments. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.
Last reviewed 2026-11-02 · Sources: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
Quick answer
NOC 73401 (Printing press operators) is a TEER 3 occupation, so it counts as skilled work for Express Entry. It is not on IRCC's high-wage list. It isn't on any current category-based draw list.
TEER
TEER 3
Skilled for Express Entry
High-wage
Not listed
No extra CRS points
Category draws
None
IRCC 2026 lists
| NOC 2021 code | 73401 |
|---|---|
| Title | Printing press operators |
| Broad category | Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations |
| TEER | TEER 3 — usually requires a college diploma or apprenticeship of less than 2 years, or 6+ months of on-the-job training |
Example job titles
- apprentice pressman/woman
- assistant pressman/woman
- first pressman/woman
- flexographic press operator
- offset press operator
- printing press operator
- rotogravure pressman/woman - printing
Main duties
- Review job orders to determine job specifications such as production time, colour sequence and quantities required, and advise press crew of these specifications
- Mount plates or cylinders and make necessary adjustments
- Fill ink fountains and take measurements, make adjustments and determine settings to control colour and viscosity
- Set up press and check samples for ink coverage, alignment and registration
- Monitor regular press runs for quality and consistency using computer control console and make adjustments as required
- Remove and clean plates and cylinders at end of press run
- Direct activities of press crew and ensure that safety procedures are adhered to.
Your duties should match the lead statement and most of the main duties to use this NOC — check the full profile on the official NOC site.
Related occupations
- NOC 73400 — Heavy equipment operators
- NOC 73402 — Drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction
- NOC 73100 — Concrete finishers
- NOC 73101 — Tilesetters
- NOC 73102 — Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers
- NOC 73110 — Roofers and shinglers
- NOC 73111 — Glaziers
- NOC 73112 — Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)
- NOC 73113 — Floor covering installers
- NOC 73200 — Residential and commercial installers and servicers
← NOC 73400 Heavy equipment operators · NOC 73402 Drillers and blasters - surface mining, quarrying and construction →
Calculate your CRS score → · All NOC codes · High-wage list
TEER 3 also matters for work permits: see the spousal open work permit (TEER rules for spouses of workers), LMIA explained and the Atlantic Immigration Program (job offers in TEER 0–4).
Sources: Statistics Canada NOC 2021 V1.0; IRCC high-wage occupations; IRCC category-based selection; IRCC who can apply.
Frequently asked questions
Is NOC 73401 eligible for Express Entry?+
NOC 73401 is a TEER 3 occupation. IRCC counts work in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupations as skilled work experience for the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class, as long as all other program requirements are met.
Is NOC 73401 a high-wage occupation?+
No. NOC 73401 isn't on IRCC's Express Entry high-wage occupations list, so it doesn't earn the extra high-wage or job offer CRS points. Canadian work-length points can still apply for TEER 0–3 work.
Which Express Entry category draws include NOC 73401?+
None of IRCC's current category-based selection lists include NOC 73401. Candidates can still be invited in general, program-specific (such as CEC) or PNP rounds.