Print Technician Apprenticeship

SUSTAINABLE PRINT LIMITED

Kent (TN17 3AL)

Closes on Thursday 1 January 2026

Posted on 27 October 2025


Summary

An opportunity for an enthusiastic person to become a print technician within a small and friendly printing company. There are three areas of focus to choose from: - Pre-press (artwork and setup) - Press Operation (printing) - Post-press (print finishing) You will be giving full support to learn on the job and be involved in all areas of print.

Wage

£11,778 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Print technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Friday, 10.00am - 4.00pm.

30 hours a week

Start date

Sunday 1 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

  • Learn how to setup files for printing
  • Print using one of our small format and wide format digital printers 
  • Finish off printed materials using one of our many finishing machines
  • Hand finish printed materials
  • Support your colleagues with their efforts to complete print orders on time

Where you'll work

Chitters The Old Brewery
Dorothy Avenue
Cranbrook
Kent
TN17 3AL

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 takes place at Sustainable Print. Cranbrook, Kent
  • You will meet with a tutor online who will guide you through your course
  • On site training and course related training will happen naturally as you develop the skills to perform your role

Requirements

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
  • Number skills
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative

About this employer

We have a focus on sustainability within print. This means that we try to avoid waste by communicating and by offering recycled and eco friendly print materials and processes as an alternative options to the current standard. We aim to treat everyone with respect and work with our customers to make sure they are satisfied with the outcome of their printing job.

http://Sustainableprint.co.uk (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Once completed you would be qualified to work within Sustainable Print and other printing companies as a Print Technician. Managing production, pre-press or finishing. The experience will allow you the opportunity to enter most mid level printing roles with the UK or abroad. 

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

SUSTAINABLE PRINT LIMITED

James

james.astell@me.com

01580755495

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000348345.

Apply now

Closes on Thursday 1 January 2026

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