Apprentice Pre-Press Print Technician
DELTOR COMMUNICATIONS LTD
SALTASH (PL12 6LZ)
Closes on Monday 30 November 2026
Posted on 26 October 2026
Contents
Summary
We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic Apprentice Pre-Press Operator to join our team at Deltor. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone looking to start their career, gain hands-on experience and work towards a recognised qualification while learning from our experienced team.
- Wage
-
£15,600 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Print technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday 8am – 4pm
37 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
-
Wednesday 2 December 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
Key Responsibilities:
As an Apprentice Pre-Press Operator, you will learn how to prepare customer artwork and files for print, ensuring everything is correct and ready for production.
Your training will include:
Preparing and checking artwork files before printing.
Learning how to use specialist pre-press software and equipment.
Checking artwork for errors, layout issues, fonts and colour accuracy.
Producing proofs and making adjustments where necessary.
Working closely with our design, production and print teams.
Learning about different print processes and how jobs move from artwork through to finished product.
Following quality control procedures and meeting production deadlines.
Where you'll work
UNIT C
LONG ACRE
SALTASH
PL12 6LZ
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 apprenticeship will last 30 months and at the end you will be a Level 3 qualified Pre-Press Print Technician which is the equivalent to an A-Level.
You will learn from our experienced members of staff and be assigned a dedicated BPIF Training tutor. Learning with be through a combination of face to fact and remote training. All face-to-face training will be done at our factory based in Saltash.
Requirements
Desirable 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
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Team working
- Enthusiastic & reliable
- Confidence using technology
- Good eye for accuracy
- Able to follow instructions
- Willing to learn new skills
- Take pride in your work
Other requirements
Applicant must have a positive, willing to learn attitude and work well as part of a team.
About this employer
Established in 1976 Deltor Communications is one of the South West of England’s largest family owned commercial printers specialising in the production of corporate and promotional printed literature. With experienced professionals we run a 24 hour operation from our base in Saltash which features B1 Litho and B3 Digital printing facilities and a full in-house bindery. We have many prestigious customers which we pride ourselves on providing excellent service and standard of work.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
After successful completion of the L3 Print Technician there will be an opportunity for a permanent full time job as a Pre-Press Print Technician.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
BPIF TRAINING LIMITED
Matt Child
mattc@bpif.training
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000060906.
Apply now
Closes on Monday 30 November 2026