Gravure press operator

Gravure press operators work with gravure presses, where the image is engraved directly on a roll. They set up the press and monitor it during the operation, taking care of safety and resolving problems.

The following job titles also refer to gravure press operator:

gravure printing press tender
gravure press rolltender
gravure press tender
rotogravure operator
rotogravure press technician
gravure specialist
gravure printing machine tender
gravure press worker
rotogravure printing machine tender
rotogravure technician
gravure technician
engraving press operator
gravure press operative
engraving press tender
gravure press technician
gravure printing machine operator
gravure press specialist
rotogravure specialist
rotogravure press specialist
rotogravure printing press operator
gravure operator
rotogravure press operator
rotogravure press rolltender

A high school diploma is generally required to work as a gravure 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.

Gravure press operator is a Skill level 2 occupation.

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

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

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of gravure 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 gravure press operator with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

pulp control operator
automated assembly line operator
machine operator supervisor
plastic and rubber products manufacturing supervisor
paper mill supervisor

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of gravure press operator.

• 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 gravure 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.
• Adjust rotogravure press: Thread webs of paper or other printing stock through the press and further adjust temperature, guides, and tension bars.
• 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.
• Operate rotary press: Operate rotary-type presses, which print illustrative and other subject matter during a rotogravure process.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Use doctor blade: Use a doctor blade to remove the excess of ink during printing and coating processes.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of gravure 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.
• Engraving technologies: The characteristics of various materials and methods used to engrave something on a surface.
• 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.
• Maintenance of printing machines: Upkeep procedures and technical working of machines that produce printed graphical material.

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

• Follow a brief: Interpret and meet requirements and expectations, as discussed and agreed upon with the customers.
• Monitor gauge: Oversee the data presented by a gauge concerning the measurement of pressure, temperature, thickness of a material, and others.
• 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.
• Cut page edges: Fit the cutting template, set the guillotine, load pages and trim the edges to obtain the desired shape while keeping production quality and quantity.
• 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.
• Keep records of work progress: Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
• Adjust drying process to goods: Adjust machine settings to adapt drying processes, drying times, and special treatments to the requirements of the goods to be dried.

7322 – Printers

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References

1. Gravure press operator – ESCO