Apprentice Print Finisher

Summary

An outstanding opportunity to join an innovative professional team in Hertfordshire, working in the graphics industry as an Apprentice Print Finisher As an Apprentice Print Finisher, you will be taught industry core knowledge and go on to run a variety of print finishing equipment

Annual wage

£12,500 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

between £12,500 and £16,000 dependent on age.

Training course

Print technician (level 3)

Hours

Mon-Fri 37.5 hpw 8:00-16:30 with one hour lunch break

37 hours a week

Possible start date

Monday 2 December

Duration

2 years

Positions available

1

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

In addition to the Apprenticeship Standard syllabus, you will:

Print Finishing Technicians use precision Cutting, Laminating and Packing equipment to complete the final product for the client.

Responsibilities include:

Setting up finishing equipment ready for the next job on schedule Identify, set up and load finishing equipment with materials. For example, stitching-trimming machinery, laminating equipment
Plan and execute workload to meet production deadlines
Accurately carry out instructions from job sheets
Study drawings and design work or other instructions to determine equipment setup requirements Inspect the quality of the finishing and report any issues arising during the process
Adjust machines, such as vinyl cutter, digital table cutter, to accommodate prints of specified sizes
Maintain records, such as daily production records
Record operational or production data as and when necessary.
Pack and prepare materials
Adhere to company health and safety procedures
Check final output meets specification and instructions
Support continuous improvement initiatives in print activities
Maintain a clean and tidy workspace
Learn about customer expectations, how to resolve problems and how to ensure quality
Learn how to organise and work in a H&S compliant environment
Lamination of Prints Mounting prints both laminated and un-laminated to rigid sheet materials using laminating rollers
Trimming Collating printed work using cut vinyl and application tape Opportunity to learn vinyl cutting, digital table cutting and use of CNC/Zund table cutting and operation of laser engraver

Where you’ll work

15 Merchant Drive

Mead Lane

Hertford

SG13 7AY

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

BPIF TRAINING LIMITED

Your training course

Print technician (level 3)

Equal to A level

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.

Your training plan

Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, the qualification obtained will be a L3 Print Technician Apprenticeship Standard (post-press pathway).
The apprentice will be given sufficient time to undertake their "off-the-job" requirement of the apprenticeship.
Throughout your time as an apprentice, you will be supported by both Learn to Dream and the BPIF.
You will be assigned a training coordinator to ensure that you have the best training available.
Training requirements will be discussed at the point of employment to suit your individual needs and business needs. Most training and studying will be site-based.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

English (grade 4)
Maths (grade 4)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Attention to detail
Communication skills
Customer care skills
Initiative
IT skills
Organisation skills
Patience
Problem solving skills
Team working

About this company

Based in Hertfordshire, we deliver print, design and installation projects across the commercial, public and private sectors throughout the UK and Europe. We've worked on sites ranging from offices, retail, education and hospitals through to museum exhibitions and private commissions. Whatever you need, we'll find a way.

After this apprenticeship

A successfully qualified Apprentice will be offered a full-time position. As a professional member of the team, optional training in other departments will be available, with potential career progression for ambitious individuals.

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