Flexographic press operator

Flexographic press operators use flexographic relief plate to print on almost any material. The relief plate is inked and pressed onto the material to be printed.

The following job titles also refer to flexographic press operator:

flexographic printer
flexographic printing press operator
flexographic printing inspection operator
flexographic label press operator
flexographic label press technician
flexographic press specialist
wide-format printer on flexographic presses
flexographic print maker
flexographic presswoman
flexographic printing inspection specialist
flexographic pressman
flexographic print operator
flexographic printing plate maker
flexographic operator
flexographic printing inspection technician
flexographic label press specialist
flexographic print technician
flexographic printing plate mounter
flexographic label printer
narrow-format printer on flexographic presses

A high school diploma is generally required to work as a flexographic press operator.

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.

Flexographic press operator is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to flexographic press operator.

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

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of flexographic press operator. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of flexographic press operator 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 flexographic press operator.

• Flexography: Process used to print on foil, plastic, corrugated, and other materials used for packaging. This process utilises flexible relief plates, which are made out of rubber or plastic. This method can be used for printing onto almost any type of surface.
• Polygraphy: Production branch that handles reproduction of text and images by printing.
• 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 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 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.
• 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.

These skills are necessary for the role of flexographic press operator.

• 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.
• 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.
• Clean ink rollers: Clean ink roller and type using ink solvent and rags.
• 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.
• Prepare printing form: Prepare and inspect plates that are used in printing process to transfer ink on the desired surface and place them in the machines, for example fixing them around printing rollers.
• 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.
• Determine colour shades: Determine and use the correct colour to be applied to a surface, according to requirements, by using instruments and software.
• 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 flexographic printing machine: Prepare and adjust all units of flexographic web presses and tend the development line.

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

• Screen printing inks: Various types of screen ink, such as solvent, water, water plastisol, and UV curable ink solutions.
• Printing plate making: The different techniques used to produce the plates that will be mounted on rolls for the flexographic or offset printing process such as laser engraving or the technique consisting in placing a film negative over a plate exposed to ultra-violet light.
• 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.
• Printing media: Specific techniques related to various printing surfaces such plastics, metal, glass, textiles, wood, and paper.
• Wide web flexographic printing press: Methods and restrictions of printing on flexographic printing presses, which use wide width of printing, can achieve high run speeds and utilise fast drying solvents.
• Maintenance of printing machines: Upkeep procedures and technical working of machines that produce printed graphical material.
• Narrow web flexographic printing press: Methods and restrictions of printing on flexographic printing presses, which use narrow width of printing, can achieve high quality, and utilise slowly drying water-based solvents.

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

• Manage process of flexographic print: Choose and manage the process of printing, necessary tools, and colours needed during flexographic printing. This method utilises flexible relief plates made out of rubber and plastic for printing.
• Mix ink: Tend a computer-guided dispenser that mixes different shades of ink to obtain the desired colour.
• Record production data for quality control: Keep records of the machine’s faults, interventions and irregularities for quality control.
• Handle chemical cleaning agents: Ensure proper handling, storage and disposal of cleaning chemicals in accordance with regulations.
• Wear appropriate protective gear: Wear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.
• 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.
• 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.
• Keep records of work progress: Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
• Tend laser marking machine: Tend a machine designed to mark and engrave metal or plastic pieces by use of a laser beam exuding a concentrated heat source, monitor and operate it according to regulations.

7322 – Printers

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References

1. Flexographic press operator – ESCO