Digital printer

Digital printers work with machines that print directly to the medium, without an intervening plate. Digital printers usually use laser or inkjet technology to print individual pages without lengthy or labour intensive technical steps intervening between the finished digital product and the print.

The duties of a digital printer include, but are not limited to:

• Installing and troubleshooting printers and related computer equipment, such as computers and scanners, to ensure they are operating properly
• Operating computerized printing equipment to produce publications by converting digital images into printable form
• Preparing print jobs for printing by setting up files in the desired format for printing
• Monitoring the progress of print jobs to ensure they are being printed on time, adjusting settings as needed to meet deadlines
• Training new employees on how to use equipment or software programs
• Troubleshooting problems with equipment or software, and making repairs as needed
• Operating computerized machines to print text on products such as T-shirts, mugs, and plates
• Maintaining inventory of supplies such as paper and toner cartridges, and ordering additional supplies when needed
• Reviewing digital images to ensure they are clear and of high quality.

Most digital printers work in clean, well-lit, and temperature-controlled print shops. They typically work a standard 40-hour week, but may have to work evenings and weekends to meet deadlines. Some digital printers may be required to lift and move heavy boxes of paper and other materials, and they may be exposed to fumes from the printing process. Although most digital printers have little contact with the public, they may occasionally interact with customers to discuss an order or to provide customer service.

The following job titles also refer to digital printer:

digital press operator
digital printer specialist
retoucher and printer
digital print machine specialist
digital print supervisor
digital printer technician
digital and lithographic printer
digital print machine operator
large format digital printer
digital web printer
print operator
digital print specialist
digital print operator
digital printer and finisher
digital print technician
graphic designer / digital printer
digital print machine technician
digital printer operator

A high school diploma is generally required to work as a digital printer. Some employers may prefer candidates who have completed a two-year associate’s degree in graphic arts or a related field. Courses in computer-aided design, computer-aided manufacturing and computer-integrated manufacturing can be helpful for those seeking a career in digital printing.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Digital printer is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to digital printer.

hot foil operator
gravure press operator
flexographic press operator
screen printer
offset printer

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of digital printer. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of digital printer with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

automated assembly line operator
pulp control operator
print studio supervisor
machine operator supervisor
plastic and rubber products manufacturing supervisor

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of digital printer.

• Digital printing: The technique that allows printing a digital-based image directly onto a variety of materials, mostly using inkjet or laser printer.
• Printing on large scale machines: Methods, processes, and restrictions related to printing on machines that produce large quantities and sizes of graphic print materials.
• Printing materials: The materials, such as paper, film, metal foils, and glass, on which texts or designs can be transferred by applying ink through direct pressure or with intermediate rollers.
• Types of paper: The different criteria used to determine differences in paper types such as coarseness and thickness, and the different fabrication methods and wood types from which the types of paper stem.
• Quality standards: The national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.
• Maintenance of printing machines: Upkeep procedures and technical working of machines that produce printed graphical material.

These skills are necessary for the role of digital printer.

• Produce prepress proof: Make single or multi-coloured test prints to ensure that the product meets the arranged standards. Compare the sample with the template or discuss the result with the customer in order to make the last adjustments before mass production.
• Set colour profiles: Maintain consistent colour output in digital colour and inkjet printers by running calibration routines and making sure that the colour profiles for the printers are still accurate.
• Troubleshoot: Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.
• Perform test run: Perform tests putting a system, machine, tool or other equipment through a series of actions under actual operating conditions in order to assess its reliability and suitability to realise its tasks, and adjust settings accordingly.
• Monitor automated machines: Continuously check up on the automated machine’s set-up and execution or make regular control rounds. If necessary, record and interpret data on the operating conditions of installations and equipment in order to identify abnormalities.
• Follow safety precautions in printing: Apply safety and health principles, policies and institutional regulations of working in printing production. Protect oneself and others against such hazards as chemicals used in printing, invasive allergens, heat, and disease causing agents.
• Supply machine: Ensure the machine is fed the necessary and adequate materials and control the placement or automatic feed and retrieval of work pieces in the machines or machine tools on the production line.
• Operate digital printers: Handle inkjet and laser printers, allowing the operator to print documents in a single ‘pass’. Download or print the digital files to the digital printing machine using the correct machine and print download settings so that the correct fonts and substrates are used and the output meets the specifications and required quality standards.
• Use colour printing programs: Use colour printing programs, such as the CMYK colour (ink) model for various pressing machines.
• Follow production schedule: Follow production schedule taking into account all requirements, times and needs. This schedule outlines what individual commodities must be produced in each time period and encapsulates various concerns like production, staffing, inventory, etc. It is usually linked to manufacturing where the plan indicates when and how much of each product will be demanded. Utilise all the information in the actual implementation of the plan.
• Set up the controller of a machine: Set up and give commands to a machine by dispatching the appropriate data and input into the (computer) controller corresponding with the desired processed product.
• Feed press cylinders: Power press cylinders with paper and adjust its feed and tension controls according to the required paper size.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of digital printer. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Printing techniques: The techniques and processes to reproduce text and images using a master form or template such as letterpress printing, gravure, and laser printing.
• Printing media: Specific techniques related to various printing surfaces such plastics, metal, glass, textiles, wood, and paper.
• Printed goods processes: The various types and characteristics of producing printed goods such as catalogues, flyers, etc.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of digital printer. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Communicate with customers: Respond to and communicate with customers in the most efficient and appropriate manner to enable them to access the desired products or services, or any other help they may require.
• Prepare documents for scanning: Prepare documents for scanning by determining logical breaks and unitization of hard copy documents and assembling and reassembling these afterwards.
• Order supplies: Command products from relevant suppliers to get convenient and profitable products to purchase.
• Follow a brief: Interpret and meet requirements and expectations, as discussed and agreed upon with the customers.
• Record production data for quality control: Keep records of the machine’s faults, interventions and irregularities for quality control.
• Create digital files: Create digital files in the computer system after quality checking printing or scanned documents for malfunctions.
• Monitor stock level: Evaluate how much stock is used and determine what should be ordered.
• Set scanner controls: Use a mouse, keyboard or other controls to set up the scanner precisely.
• Reproduce documents: Reproduce documents such as reports, posters, booklets, brochures, and catalogues for a range of audiences.
• Calibrate electronic instruments: Correct and adjust the reliability of an electronic instrument by measuring output and comparing results with the data of a reference device or a set of standardised results. This is done in regular intervals which are set by the manufacturer and using calibration devices.
• Perform machine maintenance: Perform regular maintenance, possibly including corrections and alterations, on a machine or machine tool to ensure it remains in a proper productive state.
• Inspect printing output: Verify that the printing output is satisfactory using various methods such as visual verification, use of spectrophotometers or densitometers. The problems that might occur include misregisters or colour variation.
• Process printing input: Accept and pre-process input documents and orders to be used for print production.
• Consult technical resources: Read and interpret such technical resources such as digital or paper drawings and adjustment data in order to properly set up a machine or working tool, or to assemble mechanical equipment.
• Report defective manufacturing materials: Maintain required company records and forms in order to report any defective materials or questionable conditions of manufacturing machinery and equipment.
• Produce scanned images: Produce scanned images that satisfy different categories and are free of potential defects.
• Keep records of work progress: Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.

7322 – Printers

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References

1. Digital printer – ESCO
2. Digital Printer Operator Job Description: Salary, Duties, & More – Climb the Ladder