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Apprentice Print Finisher
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Print Finishing Apprentice
An excellent opportunity working for an award-winning print management company established 100 years ago. As a print finishing apprentice, you will learn all aspects of the print finishing equipment under the supervision of a skilled and friendly team.
About the Role
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
Training
You will receive training from qualified and experienced print finishers to run all aspects of the print finishing equipment, including:
- Guillotines
- Folders
- Collators
- Drills
- Numbering
- Stitching
- Handwork
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Course Contents
- Read, interpret and follow information, for example, printing instructions and specifications
- Inspect work against specifications and quality standards, for example, works instructions, colour standard, materials or files received
- Record information: digital or manual
- Follow health and safety regulations, legislation and procedures: PPE, manual handling and ergonomic practice
- Follow environmental and sustainability regulations and procedures
- Communicate with colleagues: written, verbal or digital. For example, using digital tools such as email, Information technology (IT) telephony, social media, multi-media, video, infographics
- Implement solutions as developed by management or supervisors
- Identify and report production issues. For example, missing fonts, incorrect materials supplied, wrong adhesive indicated
Option 1: Pre-Press Operative
- Select and use software packages for pre-press, design or workflow tasks. For example, MS Office or equivalent, pdf workflow such as ‘Screen True-flow’, ‘Adobe InDesign’, ‘Adobe Illustrator’ and ERP system such as ‘Tharstern’
- Select, check and use equipment for the production of a printed or digital ‘proof’
- Calibrate proof production equipment
- Select, check and use equipment for the production of plates, screens, output files and materials
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Option 2: Press Operative
- Identify and set up printing presses
- Conduct and log first line preventative maintenance. For example, clean and lubricate printing equipment
- Inspect the quality of print output during production run. For example, colour management, print resolution and product consistency
- Follow print press shut down procedures
- Prepare print material for the next stage in production. For example, palletising; ensuring all material laid in the same direction, boxing, labelling
- Identify and segregate printed materials into those for use in the next stage of production and those for recycling or disposal
Option 3: Post-Press Operative
- Identify, set up and load finishing equipment with materials. For example, guillotines, stitching-trimming machinery, binding machinery, laminating equipment, die-cutters
- Conduct and log first line preventative maintenance. For example, clean and lubricate Post Press finishing equipment
- Inspect the quality of the finishing and report any issues arising during the process. For example, misalignment or gathering
Additional Training
- Read, interpret and follow information, for example, printing instructions and specifications
- Inspect work against specifications and quality standards, for example, works instructions, colour standard, materials or files received
- Record information: digital or manual
- Follow health and safety regulations, legislation and procedures: PPE, manual handling and ergonomic practice
- Follow environmental and sustainability regulations and procedures
- Communicate with colleagues: written, verbal or digital. For example, using digital tools such as email, Information technology (IT) telephony, social media, multi-media, video, infographics
- Implement solutions as developed by management or supervisors
- Identify and report production issues. For example, missing fonts, incorrect materials supplied, wrong adhesive indicated
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Apprenticeship Benefits
Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, the qualification obtained will be a Level 2 Print Operative Apprenticeship Standard.
As an apprentice, you will be supported by a workplace mentor to carry out your day job. You will also be assigned a BPIF Apprenticeship Tutor, who will work with you and your employer to deliver the apprenticeship curriculum. You will receive protected time during your working hours to meet the 'off-the-job' training requirements of your apprenticeship, which involves developing new knowledge and skills relevant to your apprenticeship.
Your apprenticeship training will be carried out by a combination of on-site visits and occasional online sessions.
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, a full-time position may be available, subject to business needs.
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