Print Operative Apprenticeship
Join our friendly and established commercial print company and gain hands-on experience across the complete print production process.
Role
Working as part of our busy print studio, you will gain hands-on experience across the full print production process, from preparing client artwork and creating designs through to operating digital printing equipment and finishing printed products.
No two days will be exactly the same, and you will have the opportunity to develop skills in graphic design, digital printing, customer service and print finishing.
Your role will include:
- Preparing artwork supplied by clients for print production, ensuring files are correctly set up and meet our print specifications
- Using the Adobe Creative Cloud suite to prepare and amend artwork, with experience of Adobe InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop being essential
- As your skills and confidence develop, working from client briefs to create professional artwork and designs ready for print
- Liaising with customers by email, telephone and in person to discuss artwork, requirements and print projects
- Learning to operate our Konica Minolta digital presses and HP Wide Format printer to produce a wide range of printed materials
- Learning how to prepare and set up digital presses for production, including carrying out checks and calibrations to maintain accurate and consistent colour reproduction
- Operating our wide format printing equipment to produce items such as posters, banners and signage
- Gaining experience in the finishing department, under supervision, where you will help complete printed products through processes such as folding, creasing, collating, stapling, trimming and gluing
- Receiving training on relevant finishing machinery before operating equipment independently
- Carrying out quality checks throughout the production process to ensure finished work meets both our standards and the customer's requirements
- Learning about different paper stocks, print processes, finishing techniques and how they are selected for different projects
- Working as part of a small, friendly team and supporting the wider production and studio operation when required
- As your experience develops, you will be given increasing responsibility and the opportunity to work more independently
Training
You will receive a combination of on-the-job training and off-the-job training alongside formal apprenticeship training, giving you the opportunity to develop practical skills and industry knowledge while working within our commercial print environment.
Throughout your apprenticeship you will be supported by experienced staff at Fast Print & Design Limited and BPIF Training. Your training will be delivered through onsite and remote sessions.
For the right person, we would like this apprenticeship to be the start of a long-term career with Fast Print.
Our aim is for the successful apprentice to progress into a full-time position within the company once they have successfully completed their apprenticeship. As the business continues to grow and develop, there will be opportunities to take on greater responsibility and develop new skills across our studio and production departments.
Initially, the role will focus on developing a strong understanding of print production, artwork preparation and operating our equipment. As your experience and confidence grow, you will be encouraged to take on more responsibility, work more independently and develop specialist skills.
Future progression could include areas such as:
- Advanced artwork preparation and graphic design
- Taking client briefs and producing artwork from concept through to finished print
- Operating and managing our digital and wide format print equipment
- Colour management and print production
- Print finishing and production management
- Customer liaison and project management
- Learning and introducing new technology and skills as the business expands
We are a growing, independent commercial printing company and value people who are keen to learn, develop and contribute new ideas. For someone who demonstrates the right attitude, commitment and ability, there is the opportunity to grow with the company, take on additional responsibilities and build a rewarding long-term career within the print industry.
- Apprenticeship Standard
- Print operative (level 2)
- Training Provider
- BPIF TRAINING LIMITED
- Working Week
- Monday to Friday- 8am until 5pm. We have a 1 hour lunch break between 1pm- 2pm
- Expected Duration
- 2 Years
- Positions Available
- 1
- Closing Date
- Sunday, 27th September 2026
- Start Date
- Monday, 2nd November 2026
Desired Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Presentation skills
- Administrative skills
- Number skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
- Physical fitness
- Previous experience of Adobe
- Willingness to learn
Qualifications
- English GCSE, grade 4 (Essential)
- Maths GCSE, grade 4 (Essential)