SOC 5423 Textiles, printing and other skilled trades

Print finishing and binding workers Salary

Median salary £25,296 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £25,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For print finishing and binding workers, £27,315 is the typical (median) pay. That is well below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -30% versus the national average.

About this role

Print finishing and binding workers perform post-press operations including cutting, folding, binding, laminating, embossing and packaging of printed materials. They operate finishing equipment to convert printed sheets into finished products.

Key responsibilities

Operating guillotines, folders, binding machines and finishing equipment
Cutting, trimming and collating printed materials
Binding books, brochures and reports using various methods
Laminating, varnishing and applying special finishes
Packing and preparing finished products for despatch

Qualifications and entry routes

On-the-job training is common. NVQ Level 2 in print finishing. Health and safety training for operating guillotines and machinery. BPIF training is available.

Career outlook

Demand follows print production trends. Short-run and on-demand printing are changing finishing workflows, requiring adaptability and multi-machine competence.

Key skills

Machine operation Quality checking Material handling Attention to detail Manual dexterity

Common industries

Commercial print finishing
Book binding
Packaging
Publishing
Direct mail

Data coverage

SOC code 5423

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2015–2025

Median Salary

£25,296

Mean Salary

£25,591

Jobs (000s)

N/A

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

Median: £25,296

P10: --P25: --Median: £25kP75: --P90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Mid Level

£25,296

3-7 years

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +29.1%Real growth: -6.5%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£25,296

Full-time Only

£27,315

Full-time premium: +£2,019

Print finishing and binding workers salary: common questions

How much do print finishing and binding workers earn in the UK?

Print finishing and binding workers earn a median of £27,315 a year (ONS ASHE 2025).

Is £27,315 a good salary in the UK?

For print finishing and binding workers, £27,315 is the typical (median) pay. That is well below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -30% versus the national average.

Have print finishing and binding workers salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2015, median print finishing and binding workers pay has risen from £20,950 to £27,315 — +30% in cash terms, or -6.0% after CPIH inflation. That is behind inflation over the period.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).