Apprentice Print Finisher
R S PRINT LTD
LEICESTER (LE4 1BF)
Closes on Wednesday 30 September 2026
Posted on 26 August 2026
Contents
Summary
An exciting opportunity to learn all aspects of print finishing within a busy production environment. You will be trained to operate a range of print finishing machinery, develop practical skills, and gain a recognised qualification while working as part of an experienced team.
- Wage
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£19,500 a year
- Training course
- Print operative (level 2)
- Hours
-
Monday–Thursday, 7am–3.20pm, including a 20-minute break. Friday, 7am–12.30pm, with no break. No shift work is involved.
37 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
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Thursday 1 October 2026
- Duration
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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
You will gain hands-on experience across all areas of print finishing, learning how printed materials are transformed into finished products ready for customers. No two days will be the same, and you will work alongside experienced team members to develop your skills.
A typical day or week may include:
- Learning how to set up and operate a range of print finishing equipment, including folding machines, stitching lines, laminators and guillotines
- Assisting with the production of a variety of printed products such as booklets, brochures, leaflets, folders and other bespoke print items
- Carrying out quality checks to ensure finished products meet customer requirements
- Preparing materials and organising jobs ready for production
- Learning how to read job specifications and understand the different stages involved in producing high-quality prints
- Packing and preparing completed work for delivery to customers
- Working safely and efficiently while developing technical skills and confidence with specialist machinery
Throughout the apprenticeship, you will be supported by experienced colleagues who will help you develop the practical skills and knowledge needed to build a successful career in the print industry.
Where you'll work
FORWARD PARK SHEENE ROAD
GORSE HILL INDUSTRIAL ESTATE
BEAUMONT LEYS
LEICESTER
LE4 1BF
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 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
Training schedule
You will work towards a Level 2 Print Operative apprenticeship qualification, gaining practical experience alongside your off-the-job training. Training will be delivered by our apprenticeship training provider, with time allocated during your working week for your studies and development. The majority of your training will take place at RS Print, where you will gain hands-on experience across all areas of print finishing.
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
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Problem solving skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
- Positivity & enthusiasm
- Keen to learn
- Reliable & punctual
- Ability to follow instructions
- Hardworking & commitment
About this employer
RS Print is a family-run printing company with over 50 years of experience, based in the East Midlands. We provide high-quality print and finishing services to a wide range of businesses and organisations. We are a friendly, established company with an experienced team, offering a supportive working environment where our people can learn, develop their skills and build a rewarding career within the print industry.
https://www.rsprint.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
Benefits include a pension scheme, monthly company-funded lunch, an annual Christmas event with partners, commission opportunities for bringing in new work, and our birthday ‘Wheel of Fortune’ where everyone has the chance to win a prize!
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
On successful completion of the apprenticeship, you will have the skills and experience to progress into a full-time Print Finishing Operative role. As you develop your knowledge and confidence, there will be opportunities to take on greater responsibility and become skilled in operating a range of specialist finishing equipment. With further experience, you could progress to a senior operative, team leader or supervisory role within the print industry.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
BPIF TRAINING LIMITED
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000050117.
Apply now
Closes on Wednesday 30 September 2026