Skills
- Operation and Control Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
SOUTH AFRICA · SALARY IN RANDS
Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials
What the work involves, the skills employers want, and how to get started in South Africa.
- Boarder
- Dry Cleaner Presser
- Garment Presser
- Ironing Machine Operator
- Ironing Worker
- Pants Presser
- Presser
- Pressing Machine Operator
What do Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials do?
Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials are professionals who play a crucial role in the garment manufacturing industry. Their primary responsibility is to ensure the proper appearance and quality of textile products through pressing, steaming, and finishing processes. This career involves working with various types of fabrics, including natural fibers like cotton and wool, as well as synthetic materials such as polyester and nylon. Pressers utilize specialized equipment such as steam irons, pressing machines, and finishing tables to achieve the desired look of garments, ensuring they are free from wrinkles, creases, and imperfections. In addition to clothing, pressers may also work with other textile products such as curtains, upholstery, and linens. Accuracy and attention to detail are vital in this role, as pressers must follow specific guidelines for each garment type, taking into account fabric characteristics and care instructions. Overall, the work of pressers contributes significantly to the overall quality and presentation of textile products in the fashion industry.
What the work actually is
- 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.
Skills employers expect
Abilities
- Manual Dexterity The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
- Arm-Hand Steadiness The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
- Control Precision The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
- Near Vision The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
- Finger Dexterity The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
- Production and Processing Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
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How people get into it
Education of new hires
Less than high school diploma
High school diploma or equivalent
or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
Doctoral degree
A normal week
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Getting Information
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
Tools used on the job
Technology
- Spreadsheet software Microsoft Excel
- Electronic mail software Email software
- Word processing software Microsoft Word
Tools
- Ironing machines or presses Flat pressers · Hot-head presses · Puff irons
- Steam pressing machines Steam fabric pressing machines · Steam tables
- Shears Electric fabric cutters · Fabric shears
- Laundry type combined washing or drying machines Tunnel presses
- Micrometers Digital micrometers
Who it suits
Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
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Questions people ask
How much do Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials earn in South Africa?
Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials salaries in South Africa vary by experience, province and employer.
What do Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials do?
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 and Straighten, smooth, or shape materials to prepare them for pressing.
How do I know if this career fits me?
Take the free Assessify career assessment. It matches your answers to careers and shows the South African salary next to each one.