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Print Operative Apprenticeship
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Join our friendly and established commercial print company and gain hands-on experience across the complete print production process.
Wage
£16,640 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab) This could increase after your first year in line with the NMW.
Training course
Print operative (level 2)
Hours
- Monday to Friday- 8am until 5pm. We have a 1 hour lunch break between 1pm- 2pm
- 40 hours a week
Start date
Monday 2 November 2026
Duration
2 years
Positions available
1
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
Working as part of our busy print studio, you will gain hands-on experience across the full print production process, from preparing client artwork and creating designs through to operating digital printing equipment and finishing printed products.
No two days will be exactly the same, and you will have the opportunity to develop skills in graphic design, digital printing, customer service and print finishing.
Your role will include:
- Preparing artwork supplied by clients for print production, ensuring files are correctly set up and meet our print specifications
- Using the Adobe Creative Cloud suite to prepare and amend artwork, with experience of Adobe InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop being essential
- As your skills and confidence develop, working from client briefs to create professional artwork and designs ready for print
- Liaising with customers by email, telephone and in person to discuss artwork, requirements and print projects
- Learning to operate our Konica Minolta digital presses and HP Wide Format printer to produce a wide range of printed materials
- Learning how to prepare and set up digital presses for production, including carrying out checks and calibrations to maintain accurate and consistent colour reproduction
- Operating our wide format printing equipment to produce items such as posters, banners and signage
- Gaining experience in the finishing department, under supervision, where you will help complete printed products through processes such as folding, creasing, collating, stapling, trimming and gluing
- Receiving training on relevant finishing machinery before operating equipment independently
- Carrying out quality checks throughout the production process to ensure finished work meets both our standards and the customer's requirements
- Learning about different paper stocks, print processes, finishing techniques and how they are selected for different projects
- Working as part of a small, friendly team and supporting the wider production and studio operation when required
- As your experience develops, you will be given increasing responsibility and the opportunity to work more independently
Where you'll work
4-6 GENSING ROAD
ST LEONARDS ON SEA
TN38 0ER
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)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
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
- 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’
- Option 1: Pre-Press Operative. Select, check and use equipment for the production of a printed or digital ‘proof’
- Option 1: Pre-Press Operative. Calibrate proof production equipment
- Option 1: Pre-Press Operative. 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
- Option 2: Press Operative. Conduct and log first line preventative maintenance. For example, clean and lubricate printing equipment
- Option 2: Press Operative. Inspect the quality of print output during production run. For example, colour management, print resolution and product consistency
- Option 2: Press Operative. 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
- Option 2: Press Operative and Option 3: Post-Press Operative. 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
- Option 3: Post-Press Operative. Conduct and log first line preventative maintenance. For example, clean and lubricate Post Press finishing equipment
- Option 3: Post-Press Operative. Inspect the quality of the finishing and report any issues arising during the process. For example, misalignment or gathering
- 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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Training schedule
You will receive a combination of on-the-job training and off-the-job training alongside formal apprenticeship training, giving you the opportunity to develop practical skills and industry knowledge while working within our commercial print environment.
Get help with your application
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Throughout your apprenticeship you will be supported by experienced staff at Fast Print & Design Limited and BPIF Training. Your training will be delivered through onsite and remote sessions.
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
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Presentation skills
- Administrative skills
- Number skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
- Physical fitness
- Previous experience of Adobe
- Willingness to learn
Other requirements
We are more interested in finding the right person with the enthusiasm and potential to develop than simply looking at qualifications. Full training will be provided on our commercial printing equipment and production processes.
- Previous experience using Adobe Creative Cloud is essential, particularly Adobe InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop.
- A basic understanding of graphic design principles and preparing artwork for print would be advantageous
- A genuine interest in graphic design, printing and creative technology
- A willingness to learn new skills and develop within the print industry
Fastprint & Design Ltd is an established, independent commercial printing company based in St Leonards-on-Sea, serving businesses, organisations and individuals throughout Hastings, Bexhill, Eastbourne, Rye and across the UK.
With over 40 years of experience, we have built a strong reputation for providing high-quality printing, friendly customer service and fast turnaround times. We combine traditional print knowledge with modern digital and large-format technology to produce everything from business cards, flyers and leaflets to posters, banners, booklets, brochures, exhibition graphics and bespoke marketing materials.
https://www.fastprinthastings.com/ (opens in new tab)
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
For the right person, we would like this apprenticeship to be the start of a long-term career with Fast Print.
Our aim is for the successful apprentice to progress into a full-time position within the company once they have successfully completed their apprenticeship. As the business continues to grow and develop, there will be opportunities to take on greater responsibility and develop new skills across our studio and production departments.
Initially, the role will focus on developing a strong understanding of print production, artwork preparation and operating our equipment. As your experience and confidence grow, you will be encouraged to take on more responsibility, work more independently and develop specialist skills.
Future progression could include areas such as:
- Advanced artwork preparation and graphic design
- Taking client briefs and producing artwork from concept through to finished print
- Operating and managing our digital and wide format print equipment
- Colour management and print production
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