Guidance.help

Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials

O*NET files this work under Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials: people who press or shape articles by hand or machine. Interest ratings put Realistic on top at 6.4 out of 7 and Conventional second, so the code is RCA and the day leans toward hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world. The preparation level is some preparation, typically a few months to a year of learning on the job. O*NET’s skill data points to operation and control, time management, and operations monitoring as the ones to build. Expect to hang, fold, package, and tag finished articles for delivery to customers. People who want hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world usually fit better here than those who need leading, persuading and making business decisions.

What they do

Press or shape articles by hand or machine.

Main tasks

  • Hang, fold, package, and tag finished articles for delivery to customers.
  • Operate steam, hydraulic, or other pressing machines to remove wrinkles from garments and flatwork items, or to shape, form, or patch articles.
  • Straighten, smooth, or shape materials to prepare them for pressing.
  • Remove finished pieces from pressing machines and hang or stack them for cooling, or forward them for additional processing.
  • Finish pleated garments, determining sizes of pleats from evidence of old pleats or from work orders, using machine presses or hand irons.
  • Lower irons, rams, or pressing heads of machines into position over material to be pressed.

Skills

  • Operation and Control
  • Time Management
  • Operations Monitoring
  • Critical Thinking
  • Monitoring
  • Troubleshooting

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You like ending the day with a physical result you can point to.
  • You like clear rules and getting the details right.
  • You want to start work after a short stretch of training.
  • You are comfortable relying on operation and control and time management.

May not suit you if

  • You would rather stay away from physical, hands-on tasks.
  • You want to lead people or run the business side. Enterprising rates 1.0 out of 7 here.
  • You want a career built on years of advanced study.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code RCA takes the three highest, and Realistic comes first here.

Preparation

Some preparation. Most people start with a high school diploma, then learn from experienced coworkers over a few months to a year.

Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: Less than a High School Diploma. This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.

Also called

  • Boarder
  • Dry Cleaner Presser
  • Garment Presser
  • Ironing Machine Operator
  • Ironing Worker

Related careers

Is this your direction?

See how your interests line up with RCA and 906 other careers.

Take the career test

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.