Design and Pre-Press Apprentice

PRESTIGE PACKAGING LIMITED

Plympton (PL7 5FL)

Closes on Tuesday 31 March 2026

Posted on 3 February 2026

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Summary

Kick‑start your creative career in a real working design studio!

Are you passionate about design, print, or bringing ideas to life? Prestige Packaging is a local, long‑established packaging manufacturer and we’re looking for a motivated and creative Apprentice to join our busy Studio & Pre‑Press Department.

Wage

£15,704 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)

Training course
Print technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday – Friday 7.30am-4pm

40 hours a week

Start date

Wednesday 1 April 2026

Duration

2 years 6 months

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

This is a fantastic opportunity to learn hands‑on skills while working alongside experienced designers and packaging specialists. If you love problem‑solving, being creative, and seeing your work become real products on the supermarket shelves, this role is for you!

As an Apprentice Design & Pre‑Press Technician, you’ll learn how to:

  • Create artwork based on customer briefs
  • Prepare customer files for print production
  • Check and correct artwork to ensure it meets technical print standards
  • Work with Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign)
  • Produce proofs for client approval
  • Support CAD sampling and design layout adjustments
  • Collaborate with designers, printers, and clients

You’ll gain skills across both creative design and technical pre‑press, giving you a strong foundation for a long-term career in the print and packaging industry.

Where you'll work

Units 16
Langage South Business Park
Langage South Road
Plympton
PL7 5FL

Training

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 technician (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

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.

Training schedule

  • You’ll be trained on-site by our experienced team
  • Work towards a Level 3 Print Technician qualification
  • Learn through real projects, real clients, and real production work
  • You will be assigned a BPIF Apprenticeship Tutor to support you through the apprenticeship curriculum, ensuring you develop the knowledge and skills required for the apprenticeship standard
  • You will receive protected time during your normal working hours to fulfil the 'off-the-job' requirements of your apprenticeship
  • Your BPIF training sessions will be a mixture of site-based visits and occasional online workshops

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:

  • Art/Design (grade 4)
  • Computing/IT (grade 4)
  • 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
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Positive attitude

Other requirements

Perks of Working at a Packaging Company

1. Hands‑On Creative & Technical Work

  • Work with real products that end up on supermarket shelves
  • See your ideas turn into physical packaging
  • Blend creative design with technical problem‑solving

2. Career Progression Opportunities

  • Move into design, pre‑press, CAD, print, production, or management
  • Clear routes for training and skill development
  • Apprentices can progress into long‑term full‑time roles

3. Training & Professional Development

  • Adobe Creative Suite skills
  • Print technology and pre‑press training
  • Specialist CAD and structural packaging training
  • Chance to gain industry‑recognised qualifications

4. Modern, Creative Studio Environment

  • Work as part of a friendly, collaborative team
  • Use up‑to‑date design and pre‑press software
  • Learn directly from experienced designers and technicians

5. Stable, Long‑Term Industry

  • Packaging is essential across food, cosmetics, retail, and manufacturing
  • Strong job security compared to many creative industries

6. Local Employment

  • No long commute
  • Work close to home with a better work–life balance
  • Be part of a locally recognised business

7. Variety in the Day‑to‑Day Work

  • Different customer projects each week
  • Mix of artwork, design, checking, sampling, and collaboration
  • Never repetitive or boring

8. Early Responsibility

  • Opportunities to take ownership of tasks quickly
  • Build confidence through real client and production work

9. Being Part of Something Tangible

  • Employees take pride in seeing their work in shops
  • Creative satisfaction combined with real-world impact

About this employer

We are a proven trusted packaging printer with 25 years’ experience in the printing industry.

After this apprenticeship

1. Junior Studio/Pre‑Press Technician

This is the most common next step.

After learning the basics during the apprenticeship, the apprentice takes on more responsibility:

  • Creating artwork independently
  • Handling customer files
  • Producing proofs
  • Liaising with printers and account managers

2. Graphic Designer / Artwork Designer

For those who excel creatively:

  • Designing packaging layouts
  • Developing brand concepts
  • Creating customer-facing artwork
  • Working more heavily in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign

3. Pre‑Press Specialist

Ideal for those who enjoy technical detail:

  • Print‑ready file preparation
  • Colour management
  • Plates, imposition, and print standards
  • Working closely with print operators

4. CAD Technician / Packaging Structural Designer

For those interested in 3D or technical design:

  • Creating cutter guides
  • Working with CAD software
  • Developing packaging prototypes
  • Working directly with customers on structural solutions

5. Studio Supervisor / Team Leader

With experience and confidence:

  • Managing workflows
  • Overseeing artwork consistency
  • Training new apprentices or junior staff
  • Acting as the bridge between studio, production, and customers

6. Studio Manager

A longer‑term progression for those who want leadership roles:

  • Managing the full studio team
  • Planning workloads and resources
  • Approving final artwork
  • Working closely with operations and sales teams

7. Technical / Production Roles

Some apprentices naturally move toward the print floor:

  • Print operator
  • Digital press operator
  • Plate making
  • Production planning

This is especially common when they enjoy the practical, hands‑on print side.

8. Account Management / Customer Service for Print

For those with strong communication skills:

  • Managing customer relationships
  • Helping clients with artwork queries
  • Quoting and guiding projects
  • Acting as the link between customers and the studio

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

BPIF TRAINING LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000012385.

Apply now

Closes on Tuesday 31 March 2026