Apprentice Lithographic Printer (Metal Decoration)

Summary

To learn to set up, run and maintain sheet-fed offset lithographic printing presses that decorate tinplate and tin-free steel for packaging and component manufacture.

Wage

£22,568 a year

·       Pay reviews as you progress through the apprenticeship

Training course

Print technician (level 3)

Hours

Days to be worked: Monday - Friday. Start and Finish time: Shift pattern, 6.00am - 2.30pm & 2.00pm - 10.30pm. Unpaid breaks: 30 minutes.

40 hours a week

Start date

Thursday 7 January 2027

Duration

2 years 2 months

Positions available

2

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

Working under the guidance of experienced printers, the apprentice will develop the skills to produce consistent, high-quality printed metal sheets to customer specification, safely and efficiently. 

• Learn concept of inks mixing
• Learn concept of making printing plates
• Learn basics about computer to plate, design functions
• Shadow the qualified print technician  

On completion, the apprentice will be able to operate as a fully qualified Lithographic Printer, responsible for press make-ready, colour matching, print quality and the link between printing, coating and stoving (curing) processes.

Where you'll work

Prospect Park
Grangefield Road, Stanningley
Pudsey
LS28 6LF

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)

What you'll learn

• 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 can 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)

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

• Design and Technology (grade Grade C/4 or above)
• Science (grade Grade C/4 or above)

BTEC in:

Engineering (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
• Analytical skills
• Team working
• Initiative
• Physical fitness
• Mechanically minded
• Normal colour vision
• Flexible on working hours
• Flexible on overtime
• Do manual Handling
• Fitness and stamina