Apprentice Pre-press designer/Print Technician
ASF Creative
SWINDON (SN4 7SR)
Closes on Monday 20 October 2025
Posted on 2 September 2025
Contents
Summary
ASF Creative is looking for a creative, enthusiastic apprentice to join their team of design and print experts. A unique opportunity for the successful applicant to gain a wealth of knowledge and experience due to the wide and varied services and products the company offers.
- Wage
-
£16,640 a year
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Apprentices aged 18+years will recieve at least min wage for their age in their second year of training.
- Training course
- Print technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday - Friday
9am - 5pm
2x 15mins am/pm
30mins lunchbreak
40 hours a week
- Start date
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Monday 5 January 2026
- Duration
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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
We are looking for an Apprentice/Apprentices that wish to start their career focussing in the Design and Print sector. Role dependant duties and requirements to include:
- 1. Learn to use various design software in order to create print ready files appropriate to the production Process. Use printer RIPS and other software to design graphics and print them
- 2. Learn and operate sheet fed colour digital printers, including basic maintenance.
- 3. Learn and operate wide format inkjet printers, including basic maintenance.
- 4. Learn and operate, including basic maintenance, workshop equipment involved in the manufacturing process.
- 5. Understand the various substrates used and understand their limitations and appropriate application to products.
- 6. Gain hands on experience of all aspects of print finishing for digital, wide format printing, signage manufacture and installation.
- 7. To have a positive, professional customer focussed attitude at all times.
- 8. Have effective communication skills, to be able to interact and build relationships with fellow colleagues, directors, third party suppliers and clients.
- 9. Be able to work under pressure as an individual and as part of a team, whilst maintaining quality and exceeding deadlines
- 10. Be punctual and presentable in company workwear at all times.
- 11. Maintain company confidentiality of information, and to comply with process requirements.
- 12. Participate in regular and ad-hoc meetings and liaison with team, departmental and institutional colleagues to ensure the successful business operation.
- 13. Undertake any necessary training and development required for the business or college, including appropriate health and safety courses
- 14. Must learn and follow policies and procedures as instructed.
- 15. Maintain Health and Safety within the production environment
Where you'll work
UNIT 10
TEMPLARS WAY IND EST
MARLBOROUGH ROAD
SWINDON
SN4 7SR
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
Advanced Apprenticeship Standard for Print Technicians (Level 3)
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 will be provided on interview) This 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
Essential 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
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Number skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
- Physical fitness
- Design software knowledge
- Punctual
About this employer
We’re a creative solutions company that creates a big impact. We specialise in all types of signage…internal, external, illuminated, free standing, vehicles and much more…plus offer graphic design, printing, merchandise, and bespoke manufacturing. We focus on providing quality, cost-effective, creative solutions for large and small businesses.
After this apprenticeship
Full time permanent position within the company upon successful completion of the Apprenticeship.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
LEARN 2 PRINT LIMITED
Jeanette Vickers
jeanettevickers@learn2print.co.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000340040.
Apply now
Closes on Monday 20 October 2025
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