Originally named the Printers’ Labourers’ Union formed in 1889 under the leadership of George Evans. In 1899 it was renamed the Operative Printers’ Assistants Union and later, in 1904, it became known as the National Society of Operative Printers’ Assistants with the acronym NATSOPA. By 1929 the union had a membership of 25,000 and had 92 branches.

The union merged with the National Union of Printing, Bookbinding and Paper Workers becoming Division 1 of the Society of Graphical and Allied Trades known as SOGAT. However, the unions could not agree a common rulebook and as a result it left Division 1 and became known as National Society of Operative Printers and Media Personnel.

Eventually it merged with SOGAT in 1982.