Printing presses fall under several broad categories, and vary in size and output, depending on their production capacity and area of specialization. These include:

NEWSPAPERS AND PERIODICALS

Which together with publishers of books and journals are the biggest employers in the organized sector. Though the most visible, newspapers are the least typical of all printing establishments. Jobs here are run on fixed schedules, and speed and accuracy are the key factors. 

Most large newspapers have presses attached to them, and require hundreds of skilled personnel for their operation. Periodicals with lower circulation could on the other hand, employ ten people or less, to staff their small job presses. 

While the majority of these are located in the four metros the number of printing presses owned by regional newspapers is growing. At present there are nearly 300 presses operating in this sector.

BOOK PRINTERS

Undertake high quality jobs and include book paging and binding. Some specialize in art reproduction as well. Currently, over 900 private and public printing presses in India produce books, journals, atlases, art publications and other similar materials. They provide employment to over 70,000 people.

PRIVATE COMMERCIAL PRESSES AND JOB SHOPS

Are the next largest employers in this field. These can be large organizations, with several departments and a huge staff, handling high volume production and a number of jobs at one time or small self-owned units offering personalized service to a single client or print order. It is difficult to estimate the exact number of these presses in operation today-those registered as employing ten workers or more, are well over 800, with a total employment figure of almost 50,000. 

Commercial printers handle a variety of production jobs,
ranging from greeting cards and calendars, to company brochures and newsletters. Some specialize in certain types of work, such as:

Packaging

Which includes the design, printing, sometimes production of all kinds of packing materials-like paper, cellophane, plastic/polythene, board, metal foil, or even leather or glass.

Stationery

Usually produced by very small units, often attached to a bookstore or large stationer. They usually take only limited orders-generally personalized stationery, like letterheads, envelopes and calling cards-and deliver fairly quickly.

CENTRAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT PRESSES

Where bank notes, currency postage stamps, government papers and forms are printed. Due to the sensitive nature of the material they handle, these are high security presses. There are ten such units located in different states, employing over 4, 000 people.

SUPPLY UNITS

Service the printing industry, by providing for their engraving, block making and other needs. The majority of these are small workshops, with an average staff of about 100 though some of the larger units could employ upto 500 people each.

DESKTOP PRINTERS

Have mushroomed in the last few years. The entire process, using a computer with special graphics
and typesetting programmes, together with laser printers, can be operated single-handed. It is quick and cost effective, and therefore very popular for small print jobs. 

Most printing presses are located in large cities and towns where there is greater access to new equipment and opportunity for sustained growth. Though small towns do have their own production units, their scope is limited to servicing local needs, and there is little room for expansion.


India has seen a recent spurt in the number of career openings in this industry. This is due to the combined effect of a spiraling demand for print jobs, and the introduction of new technologies. According to the All India Printer's Organization, there are about 50,000 printing presses of all sizes in the country. They employ around 50 lakh people in a variety of capacities. Approximately one-third of all press workers are in printing craft occupations. 

Others include artists, photographers, engineers, maintenance, mechanics, labor, dispatchers as well as business and personnel managers. Traditionally, the printing press has been a male preserve and women are only just beginning to enter though some quite successfully so. It has also become a new area for entrepreneurship for young people wanting to branch out on their own.