Enclosing Lines and Post-Print Finishing Apprenticeship
HOBBS THE PRINTERS LIMITED
Southampton (SO40 3WX)
Closes in 10 days (Wednesday 30 September 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 15 September 2026
Contents
Summary
Are you looking to kick-start or enhance your career with a future-focused company at the forefront of print technology and sustainability? At Hobbs the Printers Ltd, we're excited to offer this apprenticeship opportunity designed to develop the next generation of talent in the print finishing industry. Location: Totton, Hampshire.
- Wage
-
£15,600 to £24,784.50, depending on your age
National Minimum Wage
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Wages increased after 6 and 12 months dependent upon the skills acquired.
- Training course
- Print technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday, 08:10am- 16:00pm with a 20-minute unpaid break.
Some shift working based on business requirement and travel associated with the off-site training may be required throughout the Apprenticeship.
37 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
-
Monday 2 November 2026
- Duration
-
3 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
We are currently offering a hands-on Enclosing Lines and Post-Print Finishing apprenticeship.
You will learn all aspects of the printing industry and discover how raw printed material is transformed into finished products through various complex finishing processes. You will gain valuable experience of delivering top-quality printed items to tight deadlines with precision in a well-respected company.
This role covers a raft of value adding supplementary print finishing lines. You will learn to operate a range of technologies throughout the business including mailing, digital inkjet, multi-product inserter and multi-functional bagging line.
What You’ll Gain:
- A nationally recognised qualification – Level 3 Print Technician
- Hands-on experience in a progressive, tech-driven environment
- Mentorship from industry experts
- A workplace that values sustainability, teamwork, and innovation
Where you'll work
Brunel Road
Totton
Southampton
SO40 3WX
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
Training will be delivered over 3 years, both on and off the job. You will be assigned a course tutor who you will meet with regularly either in person or via video call.
The apprenticeship will cover 3 areas:
- Core Knowledge
- Skills and behaviours
- Specialist Focus – Post-Press
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
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
- Problem solving skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
Other requirements
The Apprentice will be part of a small team of other Mailing Line and Print Finishing staff. The role will include manual handling – paper, cartons, pallets etc., and much of the day can be spent standing whilst operating items of equipment.
Normal colour vision is essential.
The Apprentice should have the ability to operate independently, as well as being seen as a team member within the Company, supporting colleagues as appropriate.
Must be engaged, self-motivated, keen to learn and apply new skills where appropriate.
Must have a flexible approach and will be part of a team where the job role may change from time to time.
Should be able to document training provided and maintain an ongoing learning log.
About this employer
Hobbs the Printers is a commercial lithographic and digital print services company that specialise in producing and distributing business critical publications globally. With over 140 years in the industry and a strong commitment to innovation, Hobbs the Printers is not your traditional printing company. We combine cutting-edge digital print technology, advanced automation, and a deep respect for the environment to deliver high-quality print solutions for clients across publishing, education, healthcare, and more. We are proud to be a technologically advanced and environmentally conscious business, investing in state-of-the-art equipment and sustainable practices to shape the future of print.
https://hobbs.uk.com/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
Paid weekly by credit transfer
26 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays (Pro-rata if joining part way through the holiday year)
Pension auto-enrolment after 3 months
Free onsite parking
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 of the apprenticeship, the employee will become a valued member of the team, with the opportunity to continue developing their skills and experience within the business. They will have access to future training and career development opportunities, supporting their continued professional growth and progression within the organisation.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
HOBBS THE PRINTERS LIMITED
Ailsa Wooster
a.wooster@hobbs.uk.com
02380664800
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000053555.
Apply now
Closes in 10 days (Wednesday 30 September 2026 at 11:59pm)