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Apprentice Print Finisher
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Exciting Opportunity: Print Finishing Apprentice
An exciting opportunity to learn all aspects of print finishing within a busy production environment. You will be trained to operate a range of print finishing machinery, develop practical skills, and gain a recognised qualification while working as part of an experienced team.
Wage:
£19,500 a year
Training Course:
Print operative (level 2)
Hours:
- Monday–Thursday, 7am–3.20pm, including a 20-minute break.
- Friday, 7am–12.30pm, with no break.
- No shift work is involved.
- 37 hours 30 minutes a week
Start Date:
Thursday 1 October 2026
Duration:
2 years
Positions Available:
1
What You'll Do at Work
You will gain hands-on experience across all areas of print finishing, learning how printed materials are transformed into finished products ready for customers. No two days will be the same, and you will work alongside experienced team members to develop your skills.
A typical day or week may include:
- Learning how to set up and operate a range of print finishing equipment, including folding machines, stitching lines, laminators, and guillotines
- Assisting with the production of a variety of printed products such as booklets, brochures, leaflets, folders, and other bespoke print items
- Carrying out quality checks to ensure finished products meet customer requirements
- Preparing materials and organising jobs ready for production
- Learning how to read job specifications and understand the different stages involved in producing high-quality prints
- Packing and preparing completed work for delivery to customers
- Working safely and efficiently while developing technical skills and confidence with specialist machinery
Throughout the apprenticeship, you will be supported by experienced colleagues who will help you develop the practical skills and knowledge needed to build a successful career in the print industry.
Where You'll Work
FORWARD PARK SHEENE ROAD
GORSE HILL INDUSTRIAL ESTATE
BEAUMONT LEYS
LEICESTER
LE4 1BF
Training Schedule
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training Provider
BPIF TRAINING LIMITED
Training Course
Print operative (level 2)
What You'll Learn
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
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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
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
Option 2: Press Operative and Option 3: Post-Press Operative
- 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 Learning
- 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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Essential Qualifications
- 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.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Problem-solving skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
- Positivity & enthusiasm
- Keen to learn
- Reliable & punctual
- Ability to follow instructions
- Hardworking & commitment
About This Employer
RS Print is a family-run printing company with over 50 years of experience, based in the East Midlands. We provide high-quality print and finishing services to a wide range of businesses and organisations. We are a friendly, established company with an experienced team, offering a supportive working environment where our people can learn, develop their skills, and build a rewarding career within the print industry.
Company Benefits
Benefits include a pension scheme, monthly company-funded lunch, an annual Christmas event with partners, commission opportunities for bringing in new work, and our birthday ‘Wheel of Fortune’ where everyone has the chance to win a prize!
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay.
Career Progression
On successful completion of the apprenticeship, you will have the skills and experience to progress into a full-time Print Finishing Operative role. As you develop your knowledge and confidence, there will be opportunities to take on greater responsibility and become skilled in operating a range of specialist finishing equipment. With further experience, you could progress to a senior operative, team leader, or supervisory role within the print industry.
Contact Information
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
BPIF TRAINING LIMITED
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000050117.
Apply Now
Closes in 2 days (Wednesday 30 September 2026 at 11:59pm)
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