Apprentice Print Operative

Summary

This apprenticeship is an excellent opportunity to develop existing skills or gain new skills within our busy print department at our central London location. As an apprentice you will learn various print related skills whilst working in a busy production environment with a knowledgeable team.

Wage

£14,918.80 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

A pay rise is offered upon completing your first year employment.

Training course

Print operative (level 2)

Hours

Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.30pm.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 28 July 2025

Duration

2 years

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

There are many aspects to the role, including printing, finishing, operation of machinery, administration and problem solving.

As an apprentice, you will be responsible for setting up and operating the wide format printers and heat presses. You will ensure all daily and long-term orders are completed within the required timescales, ensuring all products produced meet both quality control standards and the clients’ specifications. The role is also responsible for assisting with design and product development, using skills in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and Microsoft Office Software.

All training for the relevant skills to succeed in the role will be provided.

Roles and responsibilities:

Operate a variety of printing equipment, including wide format printers and digital presses
Operate specialist finishing machinery and guillotines.
Monitor production schedules to ensure all printed products meet required deadlines
Maintain a steady and productive workflow throughout the print process
Produce and inspect samples to ensure quality standards are met prior to despatch
Support stock control processes and promptly flag low stock levels
Liaise directly with clients regarding design requirements and approvals
Adhere at all times to Company Standards, Environmental Policy, Code of Conduct, and Health & Safety procedures
Provide support and cover for team members during peak periods, absences, or holidays
General admin duties

Where you'll work

88 FENCHURCH STREET
LONDON
EC3M 4BY

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

BPIF TRAINING LIMITED

Your 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

Your training plan

This role is offered as part of an apprenticeship programme. Full training and support will be provided to help you develop the skills needed to perform your role effectively.

Upon successful completion, you will gain a nationally recognised qualification:

Level 2 Print Operative

All training will be delivered in the workplace – there is no need to travel to the training provider (BPIF Training).

Training and studying will be carried out via a combination of on-site visits and remote sessions via Teams/Zoom with your dedicated BPIF Training Coordinator, who will work with you one-to-one throughout your learning journey.

More training information

We are the largest supplier of apprenticeships to the printing industry. We support the UK’s most innovative, dynamic and creative companies who are setting the standard for what is possible in print production. We do so through deep knowledge, passion and collaboration.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE 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
IT skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Customer care skills
Problem solving skills
Presentation skills
Administrative skills
Number skills
Analytical skills
Logical
Team working
Creative
Initiative
Non judgemental
Patience
Physical fitness

About this company

With our team of skilled designers and print specialists we can design, print and deliver anything from business stationery through to marketing collateral, training materials and large format exhibition graphics.

https://capitalprint.london/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

A full-time permanent position will be available for the right candidate upon completion of the apprenticeship.

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 VAC1000327433.

Apply now

Closes on Friday 25 July 2025

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