Apprentice Print Production Operative
Lanes Printers
BROADSTAIRS (CT10 2LF)
Closes in 21 days (Friday 17 July 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 26 June 2026
Contents
Summary
Join an established print manufacturer and start your career in the print industry. This hands-on apprenticeship will give you experience in both the press room and finishing department, working with specialist equipment while gaining a nationally recognised L3 Print Technician qualification. No previous experience is required.
- Wage
-
£19,500 a year
- Training course
- Print technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday - Thursday, 8.00am - 5.00pm.
Friday, 8.00am - 1.30pm.
37 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
-
Monday 3 August 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
The apprentice will learn all aspects of print production, working across both the press room and finishing departments. Duties will include:
- Preparing materials for production
- Assisting with press operation
- Monitoring print quality
- Setting up and operating finishing equipment
- Packing finished products
- Carrying out quality checks
- Maintaining production records and supporting experienced operators to ensure jobs are completed safely, efficiently and to customer specifications
Where you'll work
UNIT 16
PATRICIA WAY
PYSONS ROAD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE
BROADSTAIRS
CT10 2LF
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
The apprentice will work towards the Level 3 Print Technician Apprenticeship Standard. Training will be delivered by BPIF Training through a combination of on-the-job learning, remote training sessions and regular workplace visits from a dedicated trainer. The programme covers health and safety, print production, quality control, workflows and problem solving.
Successful completion will lead to a nationally recognised Level 3 Print Technician qualification.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- 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
- Attention to detail
- Problem solving skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
- Physical fitness
- Positive attitude
- Reliable & punctual
- Enthusiastic about learning
- Able to follow instructions
- Motivation
- Work safely
Other requirements
This is a hands-on role within a busy manufacturing environment. The position involves standing for extended periods, working around production machinery and regular manual handling, including lifting and moving paper, printed materials and finished products. Full training will be provided.
About this employer
Established in 1897 and based in Broadstairs, Kent, we are a specialist print manufacturer serving the pharmaceutical industry for over 15 years. We produce high-quality patient information leaflets and printed packaging for customers across the UK and Europe, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern manufacturing technology.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
Upon successful completion, the apprentice may be offered a permanent position within our production team. With further training and experience, there are opportunities to progress into skilled Press Technician, Print Finishing Technician, Senior Operator or Team Leader roles.
The apprenticeship provides a strong foundation for a long-term career within the print manufacturing industry.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
BPIF TRAINING LIMITED
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000039441.
Apply now
Closes in 21 days (Friday 17 July 2026 at 11:59pm)