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Assist in the production of a printed product or component.
This standard has options. Display duties and KSBs for:
This occupation is found in the print and graphics communication sector. It may be found in printing, packaging, creative and design industries. This can include:
This is a core and options apprenticeship standard. Apprentices are trained and assessed against the core and one option:
Employers vary in size from small to large. Print operatives may work in copy shops, reprographic units, specialist print businesses or large multinational organisations.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to assist in the production of a printed product or component. Print operatives read and understand work instructions, use relevant print equipment, carry out checks before and during the process. They update all paperwork and check that the final output meets the specification.
Print production is a three-stage process: pre-press, press and post-press.
Pre-press operatives receive customer files and prepare them for printing. They use a maximum of two software packages. They check customer files for errors. They produce customer proofs, plates, cylinders, screens and electronic files. They also calibrate print equipment as needed.
Press operatives set up the printing press. They check materials against work instructions. They inspect output at set intervals and report any issues. They clean the print machinery, prepare work for the next department and perform basic maintenance.
Post-press operatives set up finishing equipment. They check materials against work instructions. They inspect output at set intervals and report any issues. They load materials into the finishing machine, prepare work for the next department and perform basic maintenance.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with their team. They also work with other departments, such as customer services or the sales team, within the business. Depending on the size or structure of the business, they may also be required to interact with external customers. Pre-press operatives are typically office based. Press operatives and post-press operatives are typically located in a production environment such as a factory.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for setting up and loading equipment ready for use, checking materials or files supplied. They also ensure that all work meets quality assurance requirements and the customer brief. All work must be completed in line with health, safety and environmental regulations and considerations. Where applicable, they may have to wear personal protective equipment and follow workplace safety rules such as safely handling hazardous materials.
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Duty 1 Read works instructions and organise print work activities. Ensure that machinery, tools, equipment and materials are available and report any issues |
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Duty 2 Select suitable equipment and plan own production activity |
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Duty 3 Check print work and consumables received. Confirm they are as per job bag or works instructions before proceeding |
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Duty 4 Carry out basic maintenance of print equipment. For example, calibrate equipment, oil and lubricate machinery |
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Duty 5 Report issues relating to quality, quantity, templates, specifications, workload, equipment, plans and deadlines |
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Duty 6 Complete documents and update relevant systems. For example, works instructions, quality records and safety logs |
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Duty 7 Check final output meets specification and works instructions |
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Duty 8 Support continuous improvement initiatives in print activities |
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Duty 9 Maintain and monitor the work site using the elements of sifting, sorting, sweeping, spick & span (5S) |
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Duty 10 Convert customer files using software to create a 'print ready' pre-press file. For example, software used may be ‘Adobe InDesign’, ‘Adobe Illustrator’ or pdf workflow such as ‘Screen True-flow’ and ERP system such as ‘Tharstern’ |
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Duty 11 Perform pre checks on files received so that they do not cause technical issues for press and post-press production |
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Duty 12 Produce a proof for the customer, customer services or other specified person or group |
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Duty 13 Produce plates, cylinders, screens or electronic files to the required standard for printing |
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Duty 14 Prepare the print press for the next job on the schedule |
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Duty 15 Inspect the output at set intervals. Identify and report any issues such as misalignment or colour variations to the print technician or other supervisor |
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Duty 16 Clean up and shut down machinery as needed once the printing job has been completed |
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Duty 17 Remove work from the press and prepare work for passing to the next department. Ensure that all materials are assembled to protect quality. For example, work not smudged and facing in the same direction |
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Duty 18 Set up the finishing equipment ready for the next job on the schedule |
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Duty 19 Inspect the output at set intervals. Report any quality issues such as misalignment or gathering to the print technician or other supervisor |
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Duty 20 Load materials. For example, flat sheet, folded sections to finishing machine efficiently and effectively |
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Duty 21 Take materials off the machine as per the defined protocols. Pack or prepare materials for the next department or process as per the works instructions |
K1: Health and Safety practice and responsibilities: risk assessments, risk control, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), manual handling and ergonomic practice
Back to Duty
K2: Health and Safety regulations and procedures: Health and Safety at Work Act, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)
Back to Duty
K3: Environment and sustainability: Environmental Protection Act, consequences of waste disposal (landfill), energy efficiency
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K4: Printing and Graphic Communication Industry and its markets
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K5: Print industry: how organisations vary regarding their work, culture, values and production processes
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K6: Print industry practices and processes: printing, quality assurance, materials and colour management
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K7: The end-to-end production cycle, quality requirements, deadlines and targets, performance rates (efficiency)
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K8: Works instructions purpose and requirement: the different variables within materials, colours, machine and wastage
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K9: Problem solving techniques: identifying issues and developing solutions for print machinery, digital tools and online services
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K10: Data security standards: management of information, data and content in line with General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR)
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K11: Equality & diversity in the workplace
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K12: Work area maintenance and efficiency: 5S (sort, set in order (or simplify and straighten), shine, standardise and sustain)
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K13: Option 1: Pre-Press Operative. Output image carrier techniques for onward production: print ready electronic files, plate, cylinders and screens
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K14: Option 1: Pre-Press Operative. Techniques for the receipt, checking and processing of digital files: print ready permanent data files (PDFs), database, colour and ink profile files
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K15: Option 1: Pre-Press Operative. Digital files checks, techniques for solving issues with software and workflow management: colour profiling and data integrity
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K16: Option 1: Pre-Press Operative. Proofs: techniques for creating proofs from client files
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K17: Option 1: Pre-Press Operative. Calibration methods for proof production equipment
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K18: Option 1: Pre-Press Operative. Software packages for pre-press, design or workflow tasks
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K19: Option 2: Press Operative. Print presses: methods for the preparation, set up, and shutting down of machinery
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K20: Option 2: Press Operative. Properties and structures of materials, inks, toners, blankets, plates, cylinders and the various chemicals required for print operation and maintenance
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K21: Option 2: Press Operative. Safe handling, storage and packaging procedures for print materials and chemicals
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K22: Option 2: Press Operative. The maintenance requirements and risks for print machinery
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K23: Option 3: Post-Press Operative. Print finishing terminology: fold types and ways of conversion of sheets into products
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K24: Option 3: Post-Press Operative. Properties of printing materials, adhesives and chemicals: uses and benefits for paper, adhesive, laminate
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K25: Option 3: Post-Press Operative. Print finishing equipment, the various types and what it would be used for including any particular safety aspects
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K26: Option 3: Post-Press Operative. The maintenance requirements and risks for finishing equipment
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S1: Read, interpret and follow information, for example, printing instructions and specifications
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S2: Inspect work against specifications and quality standards, for example, works instructions, colour standard, materials or files received
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S3: Record information: digital or manual
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S4: Follow health and safety regulations, legislation and procedures: PPE, manual handling and ergonomic practice
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S5: Follow environmental and sustainability regulations and procedures
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S6: 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
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S7: Implement solutions as developed by management or supervisors
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S8: Identify and report production issues. For example, missing fonts, incorrect materials supplied, wrong adhesive indicated
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S9: 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’
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S10: Option 1: Pre-Press Operative. Select, check and use equipment for the production of a printed or digital ‘proof’
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S11: Option 1: Pre-Press Operative. Calibrate proof production equipment
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S12: Option 1: Pre-Press Operative. Select, check and use equipment for the production of plates, screens, output files and materials
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S13: Option 2: Press Operative. Identify and set up printing presses
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S14: Option 2: Press Operative. Conduct and log first line preventative maintenance. For example, clean and lubricate printing equipment
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S15: Option 2: Press Operative. Inspect the quality of print output during production run. For example, colour management, print resolution and product consistency
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S16: Option 2: Press Operative. Follow print press shut down procedures
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S17: 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
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S18: Option 3: Post-Press Operative. Conduct and log first line preventative maintenance. For example, clean and lubricate Post Press finishing equipment
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S19: 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
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S20: 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
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S21: Option 3: Post-Press Operative. Inspect the quality of the finishing and report any issues arising during the process. For example, misalignment or gathering
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B1: Prioritise health, safety, environment and sustainability at all times
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B2: Adapt to changing priorities. For example, working requirements and new technologies
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B3: Team focus. Takes responsibility for completing tasks, completes actions within limits of authority without direction and asks for help where required.
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B4: Act professionally, for example wears work attire according to the company requirements, respectful, maintains security of business specific and personal data
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B5: Self-motivated, manages own time effectively, takes responsibility to complete the task or job
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B6: Committed to continuous professional development
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English and maths qualifications form a mandatory part of all apprenticeships and must be completed before an apprentice can pass through gateway. The requirements are detailed in the current version of the apprenticeship funding rules.
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This apprenticeship standard will be reviewed after three years
Contact us about this apprenticeship
| Version | Change detail | Earliest start date | Latest start date | Latest end date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | End-point assessment plan revised | 04/11/2022 | Not set | Not set |
| 1.0 | Approved for delivery | 22/07/2021 | 03/11/2022 | Not set |
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