Reprographic assistant jobs

A reprographic assistant is responsible for making multiple copies of printed materials in bulk, such as documents, brochures, posters, and leaflets. They do this by installing and employing equipment that are capable of photocopying or printing in offset litho.

The Work Being Done

It's possible that:

reproduction in large quantities of a variety of forms of printed material

the installation and operation of a number of different photocopiers, including digital and laser models, as well as offset litho printing machines

putting printing plates and cylinders on printing machines while making sure they are aligned properly

checking to see that the settings for the ink, chemicals, toner, and color saturation are all set to the appropriate levels for each task.

checking to see whether the equipment are operating as they should

checking out some representative examples of the work.

doing the finishing touches, such as cutting, binding, and packing the things

recording work information

placing orders for more supplies.

Pay

The following numbers should only be used as a reference. The actual salary may vary based on the following factors:

where you make a living

the number of employees at your firm or organization as well as whether or not you are self-employed are also factors.

the level of competition for the job.

g earnings for reprographic assistants are typically somewhere in the region of £14,000 per year. This may go to anywhere between £16,000 and £20,500 per year with sufficient expertise.

Conditions

It is likely that you will find employment at a reprographics or print business, or perhaps in a print room.

When working with some kinds of machinery, it is recommended that you wear protective clothes.

There is a possibility that you may have to lift and carry goods.

Getting In

A solid foundation in the liberal arts is beneficial. Some businesses want applicants to have completed a certain set of topics at the National 4 or 5 level. The study of English, mathematics, art and design, as well as either computer science or graphic communication, are all beneficial.

By participating in a Modern Apprenticeship in Print Industry Occupations and working toward Scottish Vocational Qualifications, it is possible for you to be accepted into the program (SVQs).

You may get a job in a printing firm, a print shop, or a major organization with a specialized print room like a government agency or a university, for example.

What are the Prerequisites?

You really ought to be:

effectively organized

capable of working well under time constraints and pressure

ability to operate many types of equipment

a capable member of the team

good attention to detail

capable of obeying directions precisely

competent in the use of computer equipment

adaptable and eager to take on a range of responsibilities.

Training

You spend the most of your time learning on the job, but you also attend college on the side. In most cases, this takes between two and three years.

Getting On

If you work for a very small firm, you could be required to relocate in order to advance in your career. You could eventually become a team manager if you work for a bigger organization.

It's possible that you may progress through the ranks and become a pre-press operator, machine printer, or print administrator.