Apprentice Digital Print Operator/Finisher
C3 MIDLANDS LTD
BIRMINGHAM (B18 6PT)
Closes in 28 days (Friday 17 April 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 20 March 2026
Contents
Summary
We are C3 Midlands, a leading print manufacturer of large and small format printed products and services based centrally in Birmingham. We offer an outstanding opportunity to join our professional team with digital printing and finishing equipment.
- Wage
-
£16,640 to £26,436.80, depending on your age
National Minimum Wage
- Training course
- Print technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Days to be worked: Monday to Friday
Start and Finish time: 9am to 5:30pm
Paid Breaks: 30mins
Unpaid breaks: None
Total number of paid hours to be worked each week: 40
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 27 April 2026
- Duration
-
2 years 2 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
The successful Apprentice will work as part of our Print Production and Finishing Team reporting to our Production Manager. The Apprentice will be taught the nature and mechanics of Digital printing and finishing as well as be taught to operate and run these machines in active production with assistance initially and then independently solving any problems that may arise. Within the training programme the Apprentice will be required to understand the theories and practicalities of Digital printing and this will include:
• Following instruction and our existing operational procedures to the letter and query with your Line Manager if unsure.
• Producing printed work or finishing using laminators, cad-cutting machinery, eyeletting and welding machinery and advising the team leaders of any flaws in a job you may find in advance of issues occurring.
• Quality checking of work undertaken
• Being flexible in carrying out ad-hoc duties as required.
• Gaining a professional understanding of how clients use printed products and related services in general.
Where you'll work
UNIT 7
HOCKLEY INDUSTRIAL ESTATE
PITSFORD STREET
BIRMINGHAM
B18 6PT
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
LEARN 2 PRINT 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
A full plan will be created at the start of the Apprenticeship to provide information as to what you will be studying and when. Learn2print will deliver the theoretical knowledge for your Print Apprenticeship.
You will attend a class each month for one full day at a local venue (this information can be provided on interview). The teaching and training will cover everything from health and safety and general industrial practices to specific industry practices. This will lead you to preparation for your end point assessment, consisting of an online exam, professional discussion and observation in the workplace. You will be allocated a designated tutor and workplace mentor who will support and guide you through the Apprenticeship.
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade Grade C/4 or above)
- Maths (grade Grade C/4 or above)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Administrative skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
About this employer
We are C3 Midlands, a leading print manufacturer of large and small format printed products and services based centrally in Birmingham. We’ve been around for over 20 years supplying clients from B2B blue-chip corporations to sole traders.
After this apprenticeship
If you succeed as an Apprentice, you will have a sound knowledge of Digital Printing and as such you will possess an essential skill set to help you advance in your career. On completion of the course the Candidate is expected to take up an appropriate role within the business and would be encouraged to develop their range of skills further in accordance with the business needs.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
LEARN 2 PRINT LIMITED
Jenny Owen-Jones
personnel@c3midlands.co.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000022111.
Apply now
Closes in 28 days (Friday 17 April 2026 at 11:59pm)