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Apprentice Large Format & Digital Print Operator
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Kick-start your career
Kick-start your career with a hands-on apprenticeship at a fast-paced, privately owned printing company where no two days are the same. You'll work alongside experienced professionals, learning how to operate a wide variety of modern printing and finishing machines while developing valuable technical skills.
About the Role
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience. You'll be part of a friendly, supportive team, gaining real workplace experience. You'll learn how to:
- Set up, run, and maintain different machines
- Check quality
- Solve production challenges
- Help create high-quality printed products for an exciting range of customers
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Course contents
- Apply environmental and sustainability procedures in compliance with regulations and standards for example, segregating resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
- Apply health and safety and manual handling procedures in compliance with regulations and standards.
- Plan and prioritise work
- Record or enter information - paper based or electronic for example, work sheets, check lists, handover records, job sheets.
- Apply continuous improvement techniques. Devise suggestions for improvement.
- Follow equality, diversity and inclusion procedures.
- Communicate with others verbally including colleagues or stakeholders.
- Communicate in writing.
- Apply problem-solving techniques to common problems.
- Use information and digital technology. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.
- Identify, organise and use resources effectively to complete tasks, with consideration for cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact.
- Apply team working principles.
- Convert customer files to print-ready files using software and workflow packages.
- Check, process and transmit digital files using software.
- Create and edit digital images.
- Conversion of digital files into colour separations for the defined production method.
- Apply digital techniques to produce a proof.
- Apply colour profiles to the design.
- Apply production techniques to produce plates, screens, or output files.
- Apply pre-press quality assurance procedures.
- Set up and check the multi-unit print press, including speeds, inks and toners and pre-printing quality checks.
- Follow print press start up or warm up procedures.
- Apply print press operations and techniques, including managing colour. Handle variable data on digital presses.
- Follow quality control processes during printing, including checking for colour matching, print resolution, product consistency.
- Apply press equipment and machinery maintenance techniques including cleaning and servicing.
- Follow machine shut down, safe isolation, hand over procedures. Escalate issues.
- Apply press quality assurance procedures.
- Apply safe systems of work to the printing press process in compliance with regulations, standards, and guidelines. This should include identifying risks and hazards and the handling and disposal of chemicals.
- Set up finishing equipment for example, guillotines, stitching-trimming machinery, binding machinery, laminating equipment, die-cutters.
- Operate finishing equipment to apply different finishing processes, for example, varnishing, folding, embossing and debossing, foil blocking, scoring, packing, gluing, match and attach, tab and slot, sorting, banding.
- Prepare printing for next stage, including packing and wrapping.
- Apply post-press equipment maintenance techniques including cleaning and servicing.
- Apply post-press quality assurance procedures such as checking for folding accuracy, stitch alignment, foil position.
- Apply safe systems of work to the finishing process in compliance with regulations, standards and guidelines, including the handling and disposal of chemicals.
- Apply environmental and sustainability procedures in compliance with regulations and standards for example, segregating resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
- Apply health and safety and manual handling procedures in compliance with regulations and standards.
- Plan and prioritise work
- Record or enter information - paper based or electronic for example, work sheets, check lists, handover records, job sheets.
- Apply continuous improvement techniques. Devise suggestions for improvement.
- Follow equality, diversity and inclusion procedures.
- Communicate with others verbally including colleagues or stakeholders.
- Communicate in writing.
- Apply problem-solving techniques to common problems.
- Use information and digital technology. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.
- Identify, organise and use resources effectively to complete tasks, with consideration for cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact.
- Apply team working principles.
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Apprenticeship Details
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You will work towards the Level 3 Print Technician apprenticeship standard, with experienced members of staff supporting you, alongside BPIF Training, a provider specialising in our sector. It runs for thirty months and builds knowledge across the whole print process. Off the job learning hours are protected. It concludes with an end point assessment.
Requirements
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4)
- Maths (grade 4)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
You will need to be relatively active as this role does involve lifting of materials.
About Typecraft
For almost 30 years, Typecraft has been helping businesses bring their ideas to life through high-quality print, trusted service, and lasting relationships. What started as a local print company has grown and evolved over the decades into a modern, innovative business, combining traditional values with the very latest print technology.
At the heart of Typecraft is our experienced and dedicated team. Many of our staff have been with us for years, bringing an unrivalled level of knowledge, care, and attention to every project.
Career Progression
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. As you develop your skills and experience, you'll have the opportunity to progress into a skilled Machine Operator role, taking responsibility for setting up, operating, and maintaining a range of printing and finishing equipment.
With further experience, there are opportunities to move into higher positions, managing production schedules, leading a team, and helping to deliver work for our customers on time and to the highest standards.
As a growing, privately owned business, we believe in developing our people from within wherever possible. If you show enthusiasm, reliability, and a willingness to learn, you'll have the opportunity to build a long-term career with us.
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