Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials

Press or shape articles by hand or machine.

Also called: Boarder, Dry Cleaner Presser, Garment Presser, Ironing Machine Operator, Ironing Worker, Pants Presser, Presser, Pressing Machine Operator, Shirt Presser, Silk Presser, All-Around Presser, Armhole Presser, Automatic Presser, Blocker, Bobbin Presser, Brim Presser, Buffing Wheel Presser, Bulk Folder, Calender Machine Operator, Clothes Ironer, Clothes Presser, Clothing Presser, Coat Presser, Creaser, Crown Presser, Curtain Stretcher, Delicate Fabrics Presser, Drapery Head Former, Dry Clean Presser, Flap Presser, Flat Finisher, Flat Ironer, Flatwork Finisher, Flatwork Ironer, Flatwork Presser, Form Presser, Fur Ironer, Garment Folder, Garment Steamer, Hand Flatwork Finisher, Hand Ironer, Hand Presser, Handkerchief Presser, Hat Blocker, Hat Ironer, Hat Lining Blocker, Hat Presser, Hat Steamer, Hydraulic Press Operator, Ironer, Ironing Pleater, Knitted Goods Shaper, Laundry Press Operator, Laundry Presser, Leather Finisher, Linen Folder, Linens Folder, Machine Presser, Machine Straw Hat Presser, Mangle Feeder, Mangler, Millinery Blocker, Patch Press Operator, Patching Machine Operator, Press Operator, Pressing Machine Tender, Pressure Steamer Tender, Seam Presser, Shirt Folder, Shirt Ironer, Shirt Line Operator, Silk Finisher, Sleeve Ironer, Sleeve Presser Operator, Sleever, Slip Presser, Steam Clothes Press Operator, Steam Press Operator, Steam Press Tender, Steam Presser, Steamer, Steaming Cabinet Tender, Straw Hat Plunger Operator, Strip Presser, Tie Presser, Under Presser, Vest Presser, Wool Presser, Yoke Presser

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

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.
Identify and treat spots on garments.
Shrink, stretch, or block articles by hand to conform to original measurements, using forms, blocks, and steam.
Finish fancy garments such as evening gowns and costumes, using hand irons to produce high quality finishes.
Push and pull irons over surfaces of articles to smooth or shape them.

Skills, machines and equipment

Operation and Control
Critical Thinking
Operations Monitoring
Time Management
Monitoring
Complex Problem Solving
Equipment Maintenance
Troubleshooting
Speaking
Active Learning
Quality Control Analysis
Judgment and Decision Making

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Less than a High School Diploma (59.18% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

29,870–37,940 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 51-6021.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Develop reliable production, safety, quality, and equipment skills; explore additional processes, senior specialist, or team-lead responsibilities relevant to your workplace.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Less than a High School Diploma (59.18% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials