Hot foil operator

Hot foil operators tend machines which apply a metallic foil on other materials using pressure cylinders and heating. They also mix colors, set up the appropriate machinery equipment and monitor printing.

The following job titles also refer to hot foil operator:

hot press technician
hot foil stamping machine technician
foil stamp machine operator
hot press specialist
foil stamping operator
hot foil stamping machine specialist
hot stamp specialist
hot stamp operator
foil press specialist
hot press operator
foil press technician
foil printing machine operator
hot foil technician
hot foil machine specialist
foil blocking technician
foil stamping technician
hot foil blocker
foil stamping specialist
foil press operator
hot foil specialist
hot foil machine operator
foil blocking specialist
hot foil stamping die cutter
foil printing machine specialist
hot stamp technician
foil printing machine technician
hot foil machine technician
foil blocking operator
hot foil stamping machine operator
hot foil stamper

No formal educational credential is generally required to work as hot foil operator. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

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.

Hot foil operator is a Skill level 2 occupation.

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

paper embosing press operator
gravure press operator
laminating machine operator
screen printer
flexographic press operator

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

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

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of hot foil operator.

• Types of foil printing machines: Different kinds of foil machines used to transfer heat from a foil on a solid surface, such as hot foil stampers. Foil fusers however fuse foil to printer toner by applying heat.
• 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.
• 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 hot foil operator.

• 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.
• Adjust foil printing machine: Correctly measure the printing material and adjust the machine in terms of length, width, and height.
• 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 foil printing machine: Attach a block or metal letters and slide the plate holder into the heater section, after which the machine is fed and attached with a specific foil colour, from which the amount can be adjusted. Switch the machine on and set the required temperature.
• 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.
• Replace die: Evaluate if a replacement of the die of a machine is deemed beneficial and take the necessary actions for replacing it either manually (depending on its size, by the use of a manual lifting tackle) or mechanically.

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

• 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.
• Materials of die: This includes metal materials most often used for die such as magnesium, copper, and brass.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of hot foil operator. 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.
• 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.
• Maintain foil printing machine: Maintain the foil printing machine, which punches out disks of waterproof paper, after which they are pressed on loaded primer cups to seal out the moisture.
• 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.
• Clean equipment: Perform cleaning routines after equipment use.
• 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.
• 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.

7322 – Printers

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References

1. Hot foil operator – ESCO