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Print Binding and Finishing Workers

The short answer

This job is less likely to change much. Most of the work is the kind AI can't help with. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to shrink over the next decade, with about 90 openings expected each year.

Step 1

Where your job stands

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the least exposed fifth for how much AI could touch it. Most of what it involves isn't the kind of work AI can take over.

How much AI could touch this job

Least exposedband 1 of 5
least exposedmost exposed

Looking at the job itself, AI could help with a small part of this job's tasks.

What this means

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the least exposed fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.

Step 2

What AI can and can’t help with in this job

This job is in the least exposed fifth of New York jobs for AI exposure. The tasks below show why: most of what it involves is work AI can't simply take over.

AI can help with or automate about 12% of the tasks in this job.

Tasks AI can help with or automate

  1. 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.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  2. Maintain records, such as daily production records, using specified forms.

    AI could do much of this on its own

  3. Design original or special bindings for limited editions or other custom binding projects.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

Tasks AI can't do much of

  1. Read work orders to determine instructions and specifications for machine set-up.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  2. 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.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  3. Trim edges of books to size, using cutting machines, book trimming machines, or hand cutters.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  4. Stitch or glue endpapers, bindings, backings, or signatures, using sewing machines, glue machines, or glue and brushes.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  5. Monitor machine operations to detect malfunctions or to determine whether adjustments are needed.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

Step 3

Jobs you could switch to

If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.

See related jobs in

The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.

  • Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

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    +19% pay195 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 19% more—$54,006 vs your $45,222 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Near Vision
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    • Arm-Hand Steadiness

    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders

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    Pays slightly less—$43,096 vs your $45,222 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Near Vision
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    New skills to build

    • Production and Processing
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    +13% pay360 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 13% more—$51,031 vs your $45,222 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Near Vision
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    • Visualization
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
    • Manual Dexterity

    New skills to build

    • Mechanical
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    • Control Precision
  • Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

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    Pays about 12% more—$50,811 vs your $45,222 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Near Vision
    • Finger Dexterity
    • Visualization
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness

    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand

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    Pays about 7% more—$48,321 vs your $45,222 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Near Vision
    • Finger Dexterity
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
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    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

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    +6% pay236 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 6% more—$48,003 vs your $45,222 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Near Vision
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    • Operations Monitoring
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    • Manual Dexterity

    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing

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    Pays slightly less—$44,721 vs your $45,222 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Near Vision
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    New skills to build

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  • Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

    Somewhat similar work
    +11% pay132 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 11% more—$50,412 vs your $45,222 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Near Vision
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    New skills to build

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  • Machine Feeders and Offbearers

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    slightly less pay94 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays slightly less—$44,400 vs your $45,222 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus short-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
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    New skills to build

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