Envelope maker

Envelope makers tend a machine that takes in paper and executes the steps to create envelopes: cut and fold the paper and glue it, then apply a weaker food-grade glue to the flap of the envelope for the consumer to seal it.

The following job titles also refer to envelope maker:

envelope machine technician
envelope making machine specialist
envelope making machine operator
envelope machine specialist
envelope making machine worker
envelope machine operator
envelope machine worker
envelope machine operative
envelope making machine technician

A high school diploma is generally the minimum required to work as an envelope maker.

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.

Envelope maker is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to envelope maker.

laminating machine operator
paper bag machine operator
paper cutter operator
print folding operator
book-sewing machine operator

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

pulp control operator
automated assembly line operator
machine operator supervisor
paper mill supervisor
industrial robot controller

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of envelope maker.

• 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.
• Envelope cutting standards: The quality of output cutting standards for the making of envelopes. These requirements cover the shape, cleanness of cuts and minimum or maximum height of knives.

These skills are necessary for the role of envelope maker.

• Adjust envelope cutting settings: Make sure that the right window cutting and patching standard are used. Prepare this by gumming on the blank with a dry patch and on the window material during its conveyance. Adjust on the basis of window, gum, and patch position and level of evenness.
• Lift stacks of paper: Raise and replenish heaps of sheets, pages, covers on the machine table to align edges and feed the machine input.
• 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.
• Work safely with machines: Check and safely operate machines and equipment required for your work according to manuals and instructions.
• Wear appropriate protective gear: Wear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.
• Monitor conveyor belt: Monitor the flow of the work pieces on the conveyor belt as they are processed by the machine to ensure optimal productivity.
• Check paper quality: Monitor every aspect of the paper quality, such as its thickness, opacity and smoothness according to specifications and for further treatment and finishing processes.
• 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.
• 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.
• Ensure envelope quality: Check if the scoring, folding, and gumming quality is correct for envelope and flap dimensions, squareness, and throat size by examining the materials and machine output. Make adjustments to the machine settings if necessary.
• 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.
• Operate envelope machine: Operate machine that forms plain and window envelopes from paper rolls. Load stack of blanks into machine using a hoist, and thread paper through the machine.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of envelope maker. 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.
• 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.

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

• Record production data for quality control: Keep records of the machine’s faults, interventions and irregularities for quality control.
• Make folding styles: Read the folding package or ticket information and decide on a folding style, adjusting the page to the width of the folding depth.
• Dispose of non-hazardous waste: Dispose of waste materials which pose no risk to health and safety in a manner which complies with recycling and waste management procedures.
• Trim excess material: Trim surplus material of fabric such as fiberglass mats, cloth, plastics or rubber.
• Pack goods: Pack different kinds of goods such as finished manufactured products or goods in use. Pack goods by hand in boxes, bags and other types of containers.
• Treat envelopes: Fold envelope blanks according to pattern and crease the fold by hand or with a spatula. Apply gum to the open edges of flaps with a brush or a stick and seal it before the gum dries. Fold down the open flaps and pack the finished envelopes in boxes.
• 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.
• Clean equipment: Perform cleaning routines after equipment use.
• Prepare production reports: Prepare reports on wood technology production and progressive development of wood based materials.
• Consult technical resources: Read and interpret 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.
• Check quality of raw materials: Check the quality of basic materials used for the production of semi-finished and finished goods by assessing some of its characteristics and, if needed, select samples to be analysed.
• Label stamps: Cut, store, and issue revenue stamp labels.
• Prevent paper jams: Overlook the insertion and output of finished products in order to prevent paper jams.
• Keep records of work progress: Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
• Remove excess glue: Remove surplus of glue with a scraper.
• Produce samples: Take a sample from the manufacturing machine, present it to a supervisor, make sure the right adjustments are made and quality or company standards are met.

8143 – Paper products machine operators

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References

1. Envelope maker – ESCO
2. Featured image: Photo by Joanna Kosinska on Unsplash