Apprentice Lithographic Printer

TIPOGRAFIC LIMITED

Birkenhead, CH41 1LF

Closes today at 11:59pm

Posted on 12 July 2024


Summary

A fantastic opportunity to work as an apprentice within the print industry for a large independent label printer, using the latest technology machines within a fast-paced environment.

Annual wage
£12,480 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Shift rate available for applicants aged 18 and over.

Training course
Print technician (level 3)
Hours
Specific days to be confirmed. Days (for applicants under 18) 09:00 – 17:00 (30 minute break) Shifts (for applicants 18 or over) 06:00 -13:30, 13:30 – 21:00.(20 minute break).

37 hours a week

Possible start date

Monday 9 December

Duration

2 years 6 months

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

The apprentice will undergo training throughout the complete lithographic workflow, learning about our process whilst also being part of our fast-paced production environment. The main focus will be on lithographic printing methods and learning the offset technology.

Main duties will include:

  • Learning the process of plate making - what is involved and how it works. This is the process prior to printing
  • Learning how to operate machinery

The duties of a 'number 2' print assistant on the machine will include:

  • Preparing everything that is required for the press to keep going - paper, ink plates, blankets etc.
  • Understanding all company quality checks that are undertaken, relating to colour, label size, barcode checks, gloss level, grain direction
  • Ensure previous job retains are filed away correctly to be checked when required
  • General waste, cardboard waste and paper waste is kept tidy around workstation
  • Changing impression waste and blanket washcloths within the press
  • Changing print blankets within the press

Throughout the career of an apprentice, the expectation is to progress through the role of being a ‘number 2’ minder on the press to becoming a leading hand – or ‘number 1’. The ‘number 1’ is in charge of everything around their equipment whilst on shift, they are expected to understand the machine in great detail, as well as instructing the second minder ('number 2').

Where you’ll work

Morpeth Wharf

Birkenhead

CH41 1LF

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 Level 3 Print Technician Apprenticeship Standard
  • Functional Skills in English and maths if required
  • 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 Tipographic 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

  • Communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Motivated
  • Enthusiastic
  • Mechanical aptitude
  • Good hand-eye coordination

Other requirements

Vacancy will close early if the right candidate is found - apply early to avoid disappointment. Please note you may be contacted via e-mail for interview.

About this company

A well establish label printer based in the northwest of England. Tipographic are continually investing in state-of-the-art equipment since 1989, giving them an unrivalled range of printing and finishing facilities for their customers across the food and drink, newspaper and magazine, gift card and telecommunications sectors.

https://tipografic.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

  • On completion of the apprenticeship, the role of a full-time 'number 1' printer will be available for the successful candidate

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

BPIF TRAINING LIMITED

Lucy Kirkbride

lucy.kirkbride@bpif.org.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000264527.

Apply now

Closes today at 11:59pm

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