Machine Printer / Minder Job Profile

What is the work like?

Machine printers, often known as print minders, set up, operate and maintain printing presses. Their work involves taking job instructions from the print originator and setting up the press with the right materials for the production run.

Typical tasks include:

matching colours to the originator’s proofs
restocking ink levels
feeding the print materials into the presses
putting job data into computerised control units
carrying out quality checks throughout the print run
identifying problems and fixing faults
cleaning presses after a print run has finished (either manually or using automatic cleaning systems)
basic machine maintenance

Machine printers usually work on a particular type of press but they often train in a variety of printing techniques. These can include:

Flexographic (relief process) – commonly used to print onto items like shopping bags and food packaging
Screen printing (stencilling) – for printing onto fabric (T-shirts), paper (posters) or display signs
Gravure (intaglio process) – used for high quality work on catalogues, fabrics and wallpapers by etching the design onto a plate
Digital printing – becoming much more common and uses inkjet and laser printing methods
Lithographic (planographic process) – the most widely used method, printing from a flat plate and often used for large print runs such as catalogues, newspapers and magazines.

On large presses, printers work in teams, but on smaller ones a single printer may be responsible for all the jobs on the print run.

What qualifications and experience will employers look for?

You do not need any set qualifications to be a machine printer but most organisations look for a good standard of general education, such as GCSE grades in English and maths, science subjects and IT. Good colour vision is essential.

You may be able to get into this job through an Apprenticeship scheme with a printing company. To be eligible, you are likely to need four or five GCSEs (A-C) including maths and English, or equivalent qualifications. The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers.

You could start a college printing course to learn some of the skills needed for this industry. College courses are open to all age groups and include:

ABC Awards in Print Production – covering various methods like lithographic, screen printing and print finishing
City & Guilds Certificate in Printing and Graphic Communications (5261) – covers all the main print processes

General art and design courses may offer options in some printing methods, such as screen printing, so check with local colleges for more details.

What further training and development can I do?

You would usually continue to train once you are working. Your employer will normally give you technical training on their specific printing machinery or send you on courses run by equipment manufacturers.

You can take work-based NVQ qualifications in this job, which include:

Machine Printing levels 2 and 3 – contains several options, such as lithography, web offset and screen printing
Digital Print Production levels 2 and 3 – with units on machine operation, digital artwork and pre-press work
Mechanised Print Finishing and Binding – covers finishing methods in general print, newspapers and magazines

View other print, packaging and design job profiles here.