Introduction

Join our friendly and established commercial print company and gain hands-on experience across the complete print production process.

About the Employer

Fastprint & Design Ltd is an established, independent commercial printing company based in St Leonards-on-Sea, serving businesses, organisations and individuals throughout Hastings, Bexhill, Eastbourne, Rye and across the UK.

With over 40 years of experience, we have built a strong reputation for providing high-quality printing, friendly customer service and fast turnaround times. We combine traditional print knowledge with modern digital and large-format technology to produce everything from business cards, flyers and leaflets to posters, banners, booklets, brochures, exhibition graphics and bespoke marketing materials.

What You'll Do

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 Outcome

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.

Skills Required

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

Essential - GCSE - English - 4
Essential - GCSE - Maths - 4

Course Information

Course: Print operative (level 2)

Level: 2

Route: Engineering and manufacturing

Apprenticeship Level: Intermediate

Working Arrangements

Working Week: Monday to Friday- 8am until 5pm. We have a 1 hour lunch break between 1pm- 2pm

Expected Duration: 2 Years

Training Provider: BPIF TRAINING LIMITED

1 Fast Print & Design Ltd jobs in England & Wales