Occupation · SOC 51-6021
Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials
Press or shape articles by hand or machine.
Median wage
$33,880
$24,960–$41,410
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
26,830
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
0 mapped
Core skills
Operation and Control
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceProduction and Processing
Technology & tools
Electronic mail softwareSpreadsheet softwareWord processing software
Representative 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 iStraighten, smooth, or shape materials to prepare them for pressing.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Steam pressing machine controls — identify and operate under direct supervision on standard garment types in a production laundry or dry-cleaning facility.Wrinkles and surface irregularities — recognize and flag on incoming garments before pressing begins, following established quality protocols.Garment materials and fabric types — distinguish between common textiles to select appropriate heat and pressure settings under supervisor guidance.Pressing machine rams and irons — lower and position over flat fabric pieces following step-by-step procedural instructions on a production floor.Finished pressed articles — remove from machine platens and hang or stack on designated racks for cooling with minimal handling errors.Garment tags and packaging materials — apply and attach to finished items according to work-order specifications before delivery staging.Common spots and stains — identify on garments and report to a lead presser for treatment guidance in a commercial pressing environment.Arm-hand steadiness and manual dexterity — apply when smoothing and straightening garments by hand to prepare them for machine pressing.Work orders and job tickets — read and interpret basic instructions for pressing tasks under close supervisor direction in a production setting.Safety procedures for steam and hydraulic equipment — follow consistently during all pressing operations to prevent burns and equipment damage.
developing
Steam, hydraulic, and hand-iron pressing equipment — operate routinely across a range of garment styles and fabric weights with reduced direct oversight in a commercial laundry.Heat, pressure, and moisture settings — adjust independently based on fabric content labels and visual assessment of garment condition.Pleated garments — finish by identifying pleat size from original fold lines or work-order specifications using machine presses or hand irons.Spot and stain treatment — apply standard pre-treatment products to identified blemishes on garments before or after pressing in a production workflow.Blocking, shrinking, and stretching techniques — perform on knitwear and specialty articles using forms, blocks, and steam to restore original measurements.Finished articles — fold, package, and tag consistently to customer or retail delivery standards while maintaining throughput goals.Pressing sequence and workflow — organize independently to minimize garment handling time and maximize machine utilization on a production shift.Equipment malfunctions and pressure irregularities — detect early warning signs and perform basic troubleshooting before escalating to maintenance staff.Near vision and control precision — apply when aligning seams, plackets, and collar edges on dress garments during pressing operations.Production records and daily output logs — complete accurately using workplace software tools or paper forms at the end of each shift.
proficient
Full range of pressing equipment including steam tunnels, hydraulic presses, and specialty form finishers — operate autonomously across diverse garment categories in a high-volume production environment.Non-routine fabric types such as beaded, embroidered, and structured tailored garments — press and finish without damaging decorative elements or structural components.Complex pleat configurations on formal and traditional garments — determine pleat dimensions from worn-in creases or detailed work orders and execute precisely using appropriate press equipment.Spot and stain identification system — apply a full spectrum of treatment chemicals and techniques to varied stain types, selecting the correct method based on fabric and soiling category.Garment shape restoration — perform advanced blocking, stretching, and shrinking procedures on delicate or distorted articles to conform exactly to original measurements and silhouette.Quality control inspection — conduct thorough final review of pressed articles for sheen, seam alignment, and finish consistency before packaging and customer release.Cross-trained production tasks — cover hanging, tagging, packaging, and forwarding finished pieces as part of an integrated end-to-end production line during peak demand.Trunk strength and multilimb coordination — sustain precise pressing technique and consistent output across full shifts handling heavy commercial flatwork and bulk garment loads.Equipment calibration and preventive care — perform routine maintenance checks on pressing machines to ensure consistent temperature and pressure output between scheduled service intervals.Customer and personal service standards — apply when evaluating finished quality against customer expectations and escalating concerns about garment condition to supervisors or client liaisons.
advanced
Pressing department workflow and staffing — design and optimize production schedules to meet daily throughput targets across multiple garment categories in a commercial or industrial facility.New presser onboarding programs — develop and deliver structured hands-on training covering machine operation, fabric identification, and safety protocols for entry-level employees.Quality assurance standards — establish and enforce facility-wide criteria for pressing finish, spot treatment, and packaging consistency across all production shifts.Equipment procurement and vendor evaluation — assess and recommend pressing machines, steam systems, and chemical treatment supplies based on production requirements and cost-benefit analysis.Complex stain and damage cases — serve as the final technical authority for diagnosing and resolving difficult garment restoration challenges that exceed standard operator capabilities.Production and processing knowledge — apply across the full garment lifecycle to identify bottlenecks, reduce rework rates, and improve first-pass quality metrics facility-wide.Safety and compliance programs — author and maintain pressing department procedures aligned with OSHA steam-equipment and chemical-handling regulations, conducting periodic audits.Performance coaching and feedback — deliver regular skill assessments and improvement plans to pressing team members, fostering dependability, attention to detail, and stress tolerance.Cross-departmental coordination — collaborate with receiving, alterations, and customer service teams to align pressing priorities with delivery commitments and special-order requirements.Operational data and reporting — analyze output, error-rate, and equipment-downtime metrics using spreadsheet software to present continuous-improvement recommendations to facility management.
Also known as
108 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Silk PresserHat IronerClothes PresserIroning WorkerSteam Clothes Press OperatorClothes IronerIroning PleaterPatching-Machine OperatorShirt IronerWool PresserLinens FolderPresserClothing PresserHat PresserSteam-Press TenderSteam Press OperatorSilk FinisherSleeve IronerCalender Machine OperatorPresser, All-AroundSteam PresserPress OperatorCoat PresserCalender-Machine OperatorDry Clean PresserShirt PresserVest PresserHandkerchief PresserMangle FeederManglerDelicate Fabrics PresserSteam Press TenderDrapery Head FormerPresser, Buffing WheelPresser, AutomaticSleeve Presser OperatorSteaming Cabinet TenderGarment FolderLeather FinisherBulk Folder