Print technicians are found in the print and graphics communication sector in printing, packaging, creative and design companies.
It is a technologically advanced and fast-changing sector. The industry plays a central role in marketing and communications. It provides a physical product which is integrated into the multi-channel, multi-media and digital landscape.
It includes:
Employers vary in size from small to large. Print technicians may work in copy shops, reprographic units, specialist print businesses or large multinational organisations.
This is a core and options apprenticeship standard. Apprentices are trained and assessed against the core and one option:
Pre-press is the first stage of production. Pre-press print technicians conduct the processes and procedures that occur between the creation of a design and the printing process. The procedures used in pre-press are called workflows, which vary from case to case.
Press print technicians conduct the printing. Printing is carried out using printing presses. There are seven different categories of printing: lithography, screen, flexography, gravure, letterpress, pad and digital. Each requires different techniques. Companies may use one or more categories of press.
Post-press print technicians conduct finishing or post-press processes after printing. They are usually the final stages of creating a printed product. Through finishing, printed material is made into finished products such as books, booklets, catalogues, pop-ups and display units. They use special techniques. For example: cutting paper, cutting and folding sheets, gluing or stapling sections together and producing a fully bound book. There are also highly skilled 'craft finishers'. They use special tools and work with materials such as wood, leather, fabric and metals including gold leaf. Examples of craft work include special edition or historic books, or high value promotional campaigns. Work may also be conducted in teams, with each performing different functions to hit the quality criteria and production schedule.
Print technicians conduct one stage of the printing process to produce a range of printed goods. They set up and operate complex print machinery and equipment to produce print products to the client’s order specification and timescales. They use their technical judgement to optimise production, maintain machinery and to resolve production problems and improve performance.
They produce risk assessments and safely handle hazardous materials. They must ensure a safe working environment that complies with health, safety and environmental requirements. To manage the production process, they must keep records using both digital and manual processes. They must work effectively with others, including giving clear instructions to colleagues. They may be required to supervise operatives.
On a daily basis technicians have contact with colleagues both within the department and in other departments. They may also interact with clients. Typically, they report to a production manager.
They are responsible for ensuring that work meets quality assurance requirements and the customer brief. Work must be completed in line with health, safety and environmental regulations, standards and guidance. They may have to wear personal protective equipment and follow workplace safety rules such as safely handling hazardous materials.
| Duty | KSBs |
|---|---|
|
Duty 1 Prepare for print job by reviewing job bag or work instructions to ensure that equipment and materials have been included. Review with production team if any improvements or changes should be made. |
|
|
Duty 2 Assess quality of print work and consumables received and confirm suitability before proceeding with work or processing. Liaise with the production team if any changes are needed. |
|
|
Duty 3 Assess final quality of product and confirm job specification is fit for purpose before passing to the next department or stage. |
|
|
Duty 4 Conduct risk assessments on environment and equipment. |
|
|
Duty 5 Ensure equipment is maintained, is safe and available for use in line with health, safety and environmental policy and procedures. |
|
|
Duty 6 Ensure that all records, both digital and manual, are updated both during and on completion of each stage. |
|
|
Duty 7 Support continuous improvement initiatives within the department. |
|
|
Duty 8 Lead solving of issues identified by print operatives or support peers in their handling of the issues. |
|
|
Duty 9 Ensure that company initiatives and policies for a safe and productive environment are upheld, for example, 5S or Lean manufacturing. |
| Duty | KSBs |
|---|---|
|
Duty 10 Propose and agree design specification with internal or external customers and be able to produce creative digital colour artwork. |
|
|
Duty 11 Identify digital files. For example, words, pictures and sourcing other files via scanning or photography. |
|
|
Duty 12 Format typographic elements within a document. This involves the arrangement of type and pictures, including font size and style, as well as spacing and the length of copy on a line and page. Use software applications to produce work via page make-up and photo editing software. |
K18 K19 K20 K21 K22 K24 K25 K26
|
|
Duty 13 Proof and make changes to artwork following company procedures and maintain records and secure artwork in compliance of General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). |
K18 K19 K21 K22 K23 K24 K25 K26
|
|
Duty 14 Produce artwork using the correct colour profiles and design suitable for the relevant materials. |
K16 K17 K19 K20 K21 K22 K23 K24 K25
|
| Duty | KSBs |
|---|---|
|
Duty 15 Ensure that the work schedule for a defined period or shift will minimise wash ups, changeovers, and machine downtime. |
|
|
Duty 16 Run the press, check output and registration are within tolerances at pre-agreed checkpoints. |
K28 K29 K30 K31 K32 K33 K34 K35
|
|
Duty 17 Ensure that levels of waste and run-overs required for subsequent stages of the process are managed, quality is achieved, and operational efficiency is maximised. |
|
|
Duty 18 Liaise and consult with internal or external customers on wet proofs or press sign-offs. |
|
|
Duty 19 Identify and conduct maintenance in line with both manufacturer and the job holder's authority. |
|
| Duty | KSBs |
|---|---|
|
Duty 20 Monitor and review production schedules to ensure that the work can be carried out in the correct running order, completed on time. |
|
|
Duty 21 Ensure that materials and consumables supplied are suitable for the job at hand. For example, adhesives delivering the correct finish or stickiness, staples, wire sizes and finishing materials such as acetates or backing boards. |
|
|
Duty 22 Operate print finishing equipment ensuring the output meets customer expectations and standards. |
K37 K38 K39 K40 K41 K42 K43 K44 K45 K46
|
|
Duty 23 Change and replace components as needed. For example, knives, heads, belts and drives. |
|
K1: Health and safety regulations. Health and Safety at Work Act – responsibilities. Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH). Due diligence. Emergency evacuation procedures. Isolation and emergency stop procedures. Lone working. Management systems of occupational health and safety ISO 45001. Manual handling. Near miss reporting. Noise regulation. Provision and use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER). Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR). Risk assessments. Safe systems of work. Safety equipment: guards, signage, fire extinguishers. Situational awareness. Slips, trips and falls. Types of hazards. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Working at height. Working in confined spaces.
Back to Duty
K2: Environmental and sustainability regulations and guidance. Environmental hazards that can arise from printing operations. Waste management systems. Environmental Protection Act. Environmental signage and notices. Types of pollution and control measures: noise, smells, spills, and waste. Environmental permits. Hazardous waste regulations.
Back to Duty
K3: Principles of sustainability. Energy efficiency and reuse of materials. Recycling procedures. Principles of control. Disposal of waste. Efficient use of resources.
Back to Duty
K4: The printing and graphic communication industry. Types of printing. Types of products. Supply chain. Customers. Customer requirements. Impacts on product demand.
Back to Duty
K5: Printing technician’s role. Scope of responsibility. Company escalation procedures.
Back to Duty
K6: Printing industry organisations: their work, culture, values and production processes.
Back to Duty
K7: Company processes and equipment: Pre-press, press and post-press.
Back to Duty
K8: Continuous improvement principles and techniques.
Back to Duty
K9: Problem solving principles and techniques.
Back to Duty
K10: Workflow management systems, communications systems and how they are impacted by General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Back to Duty
K11: Verbal communication techniques. Giving and receiving information. Matching style to audience. Barriers in communication and how to overcome them. Printing industry terminology.
Back to Duty
K12: Written communication techniques. Plain English principles. Printing terminology.
Back to Duty
K13: Principles of team working and equality, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace.
Back to Duty
K14: Planning, prioritising and time management.
Back to Duty
K15: Documentation methods and requirements, electronic or paper.
Back to Duty
K16: Output or production of image carrier creation techniques and application: print-ready electronic files, plate, cylinder or screen.
Back to Duty
K17: Colour theory and application.
Back to Duty
K18: Digital file types and impact on sending including print-ready PDFs, databases or work flow management and colour and ink profile files.
Back to Duty
K19: Digital files: receipt, checking and processing techniques.
Back to Duty
K20: Imposition scheme and job layout creation techniques.
Back to Duty
K21: Software relating to product design and output.
Back to Duty
K22: Digital artwork: design and production techniques for printing.
Back to Duty
K23: Colour profiles: setting techniques.
Back to Duty
K24: Pre-press equipment application and operation.
Back to Duty
K25: Pre-press quality assurance requirements and monitoring processes.
Back to Duty
K26: Process risks in pre-press. Defect types and causes.
Back to Duty
K27: Press machine maintenance practices and techniques: planned, preventative and predictive methods, frequency and reactive activities.
Back to Duty
K28: Chemicals required for machine operations and their safe application.
Back to Duty
K29: Printing materials and properties: inks, toners, blankets, plates, cylinders.
Back to Duty
K30: Press printing process methods and techniques.
Back to Duty
K31: Press machinery and equipment preparation, operation, and limitations.
Back to Duty
K32: Digital press operation: Understanding when variable data is being output correctly and conducting checks, both manual and automated.
Back to Duty
K33: Press machinery shut down and hand over procedures.
Back to Duty
K34: Press quality assurance requirements and monitoring processes.
Back to Duty
K35: Process risks in press. Defect types and causes.
Back to Duty
K36: Finishing materials and properties including adhesives, laminates, and chemicals.
Back to Duty
K37: Sheet conversion techniques.
Back to Duty
K38: Folding types including parallels, gatefolds, barn door flap folds, and letter folds (wrap folds) and benefits or constraints of one type of fold over another.
Back to Duty
K39: Post-press equipment preparation and operation.
Back to Duty
K40: Post-press printing process methods and techniques.
Back to Duty
K41: Finishing techniques.
Back to Duty
K42: Post-press quality assurance requirements and monitoring processes.
Back to Duty
K43: Packing processes.
Back to Duty
K44: Conversion of source materials to finished product techniques.
Back to Duty
K45: Process risks in post-press. Defect types and causes.
Back to Duty
K46: Post-press maintenance practices and techniques: planned, preventative and predictive methods, frequency and reactive activities.
Back to Duty
S1: Apply environmental and sustainability procedures in compliance with regulations and standards for example, segregating resources for reuse, recycling and disposal.
Back to Duty
S2: Apply health and safety and manual handling procedures in compliance with regulations and standards.
Back to Duty
S3: Plan and prioritise work
Back to Duty
S4: Record or enter information - paper based or electronic for example, work sheets, check lists, handover records, job sheets.
Back to Duty
S5: Apply continuous improvement techniques. Devise suggestions for improvement.
Back to Duty
S6: Follow equality, diversity and inclusion procedures.
Back to Duty
S7: Communicate with others verbally including colleagues or stakeholders.
Back to Duty
S8: Communicate in writing.
Back to Duty
S9: Apply problem-solving techniques to common problems.
Back to Duty
S10: Use information and digital technology. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.
Back to Duty
S11: Identify, organise and use resources effectively to complete tasks, with consideration for cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact.
Back to Duty
S12: Apply team working principles.
Back to Duty
S13: Convert customer files to print-ready files using software and workflow packages.
Back to Duty
S14: Check, process and transmit digital files using software.
Back to Duty
S15: Create and edit digital images.
Back to Duty
S16: Conversion of digital files into colour separations for the defined production method.
Back to Duty
S17: Apply digital techniques to produce a proof.
Back to Duty
S18: Apply colour profiles to the design.
Back to Duty
S19: Apply production techniques to produce plates, screens, or output files.
Back to Duty
S20: Apply pre-press quality assurance procedures.
Back to Duty
S21: Set up and check the multi-unit print press, including speeds, inks and toners and pre-printing quality checks.
Back to Duty
S22: Follow print press start up or warm up procedures.
Back to Duty
S23: Apply print press operations and techniques, including managing colour. Handle variable data on digital presses.
Back to Duty
S24: Follow quality control processes during printing, including checking for colour matching, print resolution, product consistency.
Back to Duty
S25: Apply press equipment and machinery maintenance techniques including cleaning and servicing.
Back to Duty
S26: Follow machine shut down, safe isolation, hand over procedures. Escalate issues.
Back to Duty
S27: Apply press quality assurance procedures.
Back to Duty
S28: 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.
Back to Duty
S29: Set up finishing equipment for example, guillotines, stitching-trimming machinery, binding machinery, laminating equipment, die-cutters.
Back to Duty
S30: 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.
Back to Duty
S31: Prepare printing for next stage, including packing and wrapping.
Back to Duty
S32: Apply post-press equipment maintenance techniques including cleaning and servicing.
Back to Duty
S33: Apply post-press quality assurance procedures such as checking for folding accuracy, stitch alignment, foil position.
Back to Duty
S34: Apply safe systems of work to the finishing process in compliance with regulations, standards and guidelines, including the handling and disposal of chemicals.
Back to Duty
B1: Take personal responsibility for and promote health, safety, and wellbeing.
Back to Duty
B2: Consider the environment and sustainability.
Back to Duty
B3: Collaborate within teams, across disciplines and external stakeholders.
Back to Duty
B4: Committed to continued professional development (CPD) to maintain and enhance competence in their own area of practice.
Back to Duty
B5: Take responsibility for the quality of work.
Back to Duty
English and maths qualifications must be completed in line with the apprenticeship funding rules.
Crown copyright © 2025. You may re-use this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. Visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence