OFO No: 662201

Other names for Printing Press Minder:

• Printing Machinist
  

CLICK HERE

Youtube clip – Printing Press Operators

For training options in South Africa – scroll down

What is a Printing Press Minder?

A Printing Press Minder works in the printing industry.  They are responsible for the smooth running of the printing press and making sure that the print job runs correctly and on time. 

Printing Press Minders can also be known as Pressmen or Press Operators.

Kinds of printing presses they might work on:

• Gravure
• Lithographic
• Letterpress
• Digital
• Flexograph
• Offset etc

What does a Printing Press Minder do?

• reads client’s requirements
• checks quantities, stock specifications, etc
• makes sure the right paper/materials are put on the press
• puts on the right ink mixes
• checks registration and adjusts press to make alignment perfect
• looks out for irrelevant marks and dust particles
• is in charge of quality control
• cleans the press, rollers, cylinders etc between jobs
• fixes minor problems on the press

Are you … ?

• mechanically minded?
• detail orientated?
• a person with good colour sense?
• good with your hands?
• accurate?
• neat?
• organised?
• a good communicator?
• a team player?
• able to read instructions?
• deadline orientated?
• able to deal with stress?

How do I become a Printing Press Minder?

One of the ways you can become a Printing Minder is to contact:

• THE PRINTING INDUSTRIES FEDERATION OF SOUTH AFRICA: PIFSA

Each PIFSA course is broken into 3 sections:  TT1, TT2 and TT3. The duration of each TT modules is 4 weeks (20 days) and 3 days of examinations.

A minimum of 3 trainees would be required (per Trade) for a Printing Press Minder course to commence. Should there be less than 3 individuals, they will be advised to enrol for Distance Learning (Correspondence).

Please contact your local branch for further information. 

See link for contact details:  http://www.pifsa.org/

Another way is to:

Get an unskilled job in a printing company then, if you show that you’re hard working and ambitious, the printing company may send you for training . . . AND pay for it.  It’s up to you to show some passion and dedication.

PATH 1

• Apprenticeship
• Trade Test

PATH 2

• Learnership – CTFL Manufacturing Processes: Printing NQF Level 2, 3 and 4
• Trade Test

PATH 3

• Learnership – CNC Production Machining NQF Level 2, 3 and 4
• Trade Test

PATH 4

• National Certificate in Printing and Manufacture of Packaging (NQF Level 2, 3 and 4)
• Trade Test

PATH 5

• National Certificate: Printer/Finisher: N1, N2 and N3
• Workplace experience
• Trade Test

PATH 6

• Artisan Internship
• Trade Test

PATH 7

• RPL (Recognised Prior Learning) for Artisans: CLICK HERE
• If you have already been working a long time as a Printing Press Minder without qualifications, you may be able to get your qualification through RPL
• Trade Test

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. 
• CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Guillotine Operator … or … Screenprinter 

Is becoming a Printing Press Minder the right career choice for me? 

OFO No: 662101

CLICK HERE  or  CLICK HERE

Youtube clip – So you want to be a Pre-Press Technician

For training options in South Africa – scroll down

What is a Pre-Press Technician?

A Pre-Press Technician works at a printing company.

They are responsible for a variety of duties.  The most important part of their job is to make sure that the customer’s job specifications are met BEFORE it goes to final printing.

Pre-Press Technicians ensure that the customer’s requirements are met by the printers.

Some printers still use metal plates.  The Pre-Press Technician usually prepares these plates.  However, in modern digital printing companies – these plates are all done with computers.  This is called the direct-to-plate technique:  where the design is sent straight to the press. (the printing machine)

What does a Pre-Press Technician do?

• processes large printing jobs
• formats and corrects any errors found
• checks the job specifications are right
• works together with the designers and customers
• makes plates if necessary (old style of printing)
• creates electronic versions of the pages to be printed (digital printing)
• emails proofs to customers for checking

Are you … ?

• interested in the printing industry?
• a person with an eye for detail?
• observant?
• responsible?
• accurate?
• precise?
• good with colour?

How do I become a Pre-Press Technician?

You may get an apprenticeship in a printing company.  If you can’t get one immediately – maybe you could try and apply for a different entry-level position in a printing company, for instance: a sales person, front desk or admin person. 

Once you’re in – you can maybe then show you have skills and interest in getting involved in the actual printing side.

PATH 1

• Apprenticeship
• Trade Test

PATH 2

• Learnership – Design Foundation NQF Level 2, 3 and 4
• Trade Test

PATH 3

• Learnership – CNC Production Machining NQF Level 2, 3 and 4
• Trade Test

PATH 4

• Certificate in Graphic Web Design and Multimedia (NQF Level 4)
• These can be done at many TVET (FET) colleges. Check your local one to see what they offer
• Trade Test

PATH 5

• Certificate in Photography (NQF Level 4)
• These can be done at many TVET (FET) colleges. Check your local one to see what they offer
• Trade Test
  

PATH 6

• National Certificate: Printer/Finisher: N1, N2 and N3
• Workplace experience
• Trade Test

PATH 7

• RPL (Recognised Prior Learning) for Artisans: CLICK HERE
• If you have already been working a long time as a Pre-Press Technician without qualifications, you may be able to get your qualification through RPL
• Trade Test

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. 
• CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Guillotine Operator … or … Typesetter … or … Graphic Designer

Is becoming a Pre-Press Technician  the right career choice for me?

OFO No: 662104

Other names for Electronic Originator:

What is an Electronic Originator?

An Electronic Originator works in a printing company.

Before digital printing most of the work in the printing industry was done by different skilled persons. 

Now Desk Top Publishing (DTP) has revolutionised the printing industry.  Many of the people-orientated jobs are now done by computers.  For this reason, new jobs have arisen to accommodate this new trend.  An Electronic Originator is one of them.

The main job of an Electronic Originator is to make sure all aspects of the work from customer instruction to print preparation is done correctly.  They are almost like a project manager.

What does an Electronic Originator do?

• handles the initial instructions
• makes sure typesetting has been done
• makes sure images are correct and they have been colour separated correctly
• makes sure the ‘layup’ is correct for page printing
• checks for special effects and makes sure they are done correctly
• makes proofs and gets customer approval before running the job
• keeps printing records because some jobs are repeat work

Are you … ?

• interested in the printing industry?
• organised?
• detail orientated?
• good with colour?
• observant?
• mechanically minded?
• a clean and tidy worker?
• a person who keeps up to date with technology?

How do I become an Electronic Originator?

PATH 1

• Apprenticeship
• Trade Test

PATH 2

• Learnership – Design Foundation NQF Level 2, 3 and 4
• Trade Test

PATH 3

• Learnership – Electrical Engineering (Electrical Construction) Level 2, 3 and 4
• Trade Test

PATH 4

• Learnership – CNC Production Machining NQF Level 2, 3 and 4
• Trade Test

PATH 5

• Certificate in Graphic Web Design and Multimedia (NQF Level 4)
• This can be done at many TVET (FET) colleges. Check your local one to see what they offer.
• Trade Test

PATH 6

• National Certificate: Printer/Finisher: N1, N2 and N3
• This can be done at many TVET (FET) colleges. Check your local one to see what they offer.
• Trade Test

PATH 7

• National Certificate: Engineering Studies: N1, N2 and N3
• This can be done at many TVET (FET) colleges. Check your local one to see what they offer.
• Trade Test

PATH 8

• RPL (Recognised Prior Learning) for Artisans: CLICK HERE
• If you have already been working a long time as an Electronic Originator without qualifications, you may be able to get your qualification through RPL
• Trade Test

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. 
• CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

One of the ways you can become an Electronic Originator is to contact:

• THE PRINTING INDUSTRIES FEDERATION OF SOUTH AFRICA: PIFSA

Each PIFSA course is broken into 3 sections:  TT1, TT2 and TT3. The duration of each TT modules is 4 weeks (20 days) and 3 days of examinations.

A minimum of 3 trainees would be required (per Trade) for a Electronic Originator course to commence. Should there be less than 3 individuals, they will be advised to enrol for Distance Learning (Correspondence).

Please contact your local branch for further information. 
See link for contact details:  http://www.pifsa.org/

Another way is to:

Get an unskilled job in a printing company then, if you show that you’re hard working and ambitious, the printing company may send you for training . . . AND pay for it.  It’s up to you to show some passion and dedication.

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Book Binder … or … Desktop Publisher

Is becoming an Electronic Originator the right career choice for me?

OFO No: 662203

Other names for Screenprinter:

CLICK HERE

Youtube clip – A Day in the Life of a Screenprinter

For training options in South Africa – scroll down

What is a Screenprinter?

A Screenprinter specialises in a particular form of printing.

This printing is usually done on a relatively flat surface. 

A Screenprinter may also be known as a Silk Screen Printer.

Screenprinting is most commonly found in t-shirt, some clothing and fabric printing.  It can, however, also be used to print on metal, plastics and other materials.

A Screenprinter can either use a ‘hand’ machine or an electrical one.  In both cases, a fine mesh screen is stretched over a frame.  This frame is called the screen.  All areas that will NOT be printed are masked out on the mesh using various techniques.  The ink is then squeezed through the un-masked areas onto the substrate (article going to be printed) using a squeegee.  The ink is then left to dry naturally or using a heated dryer.

• CLICK HERE for Youtube video: How to print your own t-shirt at home – You might even start you own business!
  

What does a Screenprinter do?

• discusses order with client or designer
• prepares the screens – each colour needs a separate screen
• registers screens
• mixes colour inks to match designer’s requirements
• squeegees ink through screens
• makes sure work area is seriously clean at all times
• dries ink
• checks quality control
• folds and packs print runs for client
• cleans up everything including screens etc before starting new job

Are you … ?

• artistically inclined?
• good with colour?
• accurate?
• extremely neat?
• responsible?
• reliable?
• observant?
• detail orientated?

How do I become a Screenprinter?

You may get an apprenticeship in a screen printing company.  If you can’t get one immediately – maybe you could try and apply for a different entry-level position in a screen printing company, for instance:  a sales person, front desk or admin person. 

Once you’re in – you can maybe then show you have skills and interest in getting involved in the actual screen printing side.

PATH 1

• Apprenticeship
• Trade Test

PATH 2

• Learnership – CTFL Manufacturing Processes: Printing NQF Level 2, 3 and 4
• Trade Test

PATH 3

• Learnership – CTFL Manufacturing Processes: Dyeing & Printing Preparation NQF Level 2, 3 and 4
• Trade Test

PATH 4

• Certificate in Visual Arts (NQF Level 4)
• Workplace experience
• Trade Test

PATH 5

• National Certificate: Art: N1, N2 and N3
• Workplace experience
• Trade Test

PATH 6

• National Certificate: Printer/Finisher: N1, N2 and M3
• Workplace experience
• Trade Test

PATH 7

• RPL (Recognised Prior Learning) for Artisans: CLICK HERE
• If you have already been working a long time as a Screenprinter without qualifications, you may be able to get your qualification through RPL
• Trade Test

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. 
• CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

Apprentice or learnership programmes may be available – look out for them.

• PRINTING INDUSTRIES FEDERATION OF SOUTH AFRICA: PIFSA
  

Each PIFSA course is broken into 3 sections:  TT1, TT2 and TT3. The duration of each TT modules is 4 weeks (20 days) and 3 days of examinations.

A minimum of 3 trainees will be required (per Trade) for the Photo-lithography course to commence. Should there be less than 3 individuals, they will be advised to enrol for Distance Learning (Correspondence).

Please contact your local branch for further information. 

See link for contact details:  http://www.pifsa.org/

Here are some private places where you can get some training:

• KEIP BROS TRADING CORP PTY LTD: (Johannesburg)

Offers various training courses.

Start your own small screen printing business from home:

• CHEMOSOL: (Johannesburg)

Offers various courses and workshops throughout the year.

• RUTH PROWSE: (Cape Town)

Sometimes offers short part-time screen printing courses.

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Guillotine Operator … or … Graphic Designer 

Is becoming a Screenprinter the right career choice for me?

OFO No:

What is a Photo-lithographer?

Photo-lithographers work in the printing industry.  They are often known as Prepress Technicians.

Photo-lithographers are responsible for most of the work which occurs between the designer sending it to the printer and it finally being printed on the printing press.

What does a Photo-lithographer do?

• receives design files from the designer or design agency
• examines and checks that every area of the design is ‘print ready’
• examines the photos or images in design to make sure they are of good enough quality
• operates various high-tech equipment:  scanners, laser plate makers,  etc
• makes minor changes to artwork if required
• checks plates for any defects before going to print
• is in charge of ‘proofs’ – the colour samples that designers check before big print runs are scheduled

Are you . . . ?

• interested in the printing industry?
• slightly creative?
• organised?
• reliable?
• deadline driven?
• good under pressure?
• a good communicator?
• a person with an eye for detail?

How do I become a Photo-lithographer?

One of the ways you can become a Printing Minder is to contact:

• THE PRINTING INDUSTRIES FEDERATION OF SOUTH AFRICA: PIFSA

Each PIFSA course is broken into 3 sections:  TT1, TT2 and TT3. The duration of each TT modules is 4 weeks (20 days) and 3 days of examinations.

A minimum of 3 trainees will be required (per Trade) for a Photo-lithography course to commence.

Should there be less than 3 individuals, they will be advised to enrol for Distance Learning (Correspondence).

Please contact your local branch for further information. 

See link for contact details:  http://www.pifsa.org/

 

You could get a job in a printing company then, if you show that you’re hard working and ambitious, the printing company may send you for training . . . AND pay for it too!  It’s up to you to show some passion and dedication.

With a qualification behind your name – you are more employable and you can also earn more.

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. 
• CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Guillotine Operator … or … Screenprinter

Is becoming a Photo-lithographer the right career choice for me?

OFO No:

What is a Finisher?

A Finisher works in the Printing Industry.  They are responsible for the ‘finishing’ touches to the print job.  These finishing touches are usually done by hand or with the aid of some machinery. 

These touches could include:

• collating (putting pages in the right order)
• binding (manuals, books, etc)
• glueing (spines, folders, packaging etc)
• scoring and folding (brochures, pamphlets, reports etc)
• cutting and die-cutting (packaging, brochures, folders etc)
• perforating (a line of holes for easy tearing)
• embossing, foiling or imprinting (fancy stationery, brochures etc)
• inserting (into envelopes or flyers into documents etc)
• stacking and packing (all jobs)
• labelling etc (boxes, envelopes etc)

What does a Finisher do?

• discusses and understands job requirements
• spends time using their hands to fulfil some of the tasks (listed above)
• manages time well
• does repetitive work for long periods of time
• keeps work space clean and tidy
• checks quality is maintained

Are you … ?

• mechanically minded?
• detail orientated?
• responsible?
• reliable?
• a team player?
• good with your hands?
• able to read and take instructions?
• quality driven?
• deadline orientated?
• good with your hands?
• good with your fingers?
• Accurate?

How do I become a Finisher?

One of the ways you can become a Finisher is to contact:

• THE PRINTING INDUSTRIES FEDERATION OF SOUTH AFRICA PIFSA

Each PIFSA course is broken into 3 sections:  TT1, TT2 and TT3. The duration of each TT modules is 4 weeks (20 days) and 3 days of examinations.

A minimum of 3 trainees would be required (per Trade) for a Finisher course to commence. Should there be less than 3 individuals, they will be advised to enrol for Distance Learning (Correspondence).

Please contact your local branch for further information. 

See link for contact details:  http://www.pifsa.org/

Another way is to:

Get an unskilled job in a printing company then, if you show that you’re hard working and ambitious, the printing company may send you for training . . . AND pay for it.  It’s up to you to show some passion and dedication.

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. 
• CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Graphic Designer … or … Armature Winder 

Is becoming a Finisher the right career choice for me?

OFO No: 662306

Other name for Guillotine Operator:

• Guillotine Cutter
  

CLICK HERE

Youtube clip – Guillotine Operator in Action

For training options in South Africa – scroll down

What is a Guillotine Operator?

Welcome to the exciting world of print!  A Guillotine Operator (also known as a Printer’s Cutter) is the person responsible for cutting down printed documents accurately so that the final product can be made, wrapped and delivered to customers.

They will be directly responsible for the quality of the final product – if it’s cut skew, the client will not be happy.

Being a Guillotine Operator, is therefore, a very responsible job!

Here are some examples of what kind of printing they would need to cut:

• Pages of books
• Brochures and flyers
• Posters
• Folders and annual reports
• Business stationery like cards, letterheads etc
• Menus, display and promotional items etc

A Guillotine Operator usually works with a large, electric-powered guillotine. 

They have to be very careful and responsible when using it otherwise the large, sharp blade (which cuts through 100’s of sheets of paper at one time) could cause a terrible accident.

What does a Guillotine Operator do?

• keeps guillotine area as clean and dust-free as possible to prevent marks appearing on printed documents
• stacks work to be cut, neatly so that paper or card does not get bent
• systematically measures and cuts jobs accurately
• keeps a count of amount cut
• re-stacks cut work neatly for packers to wrap and deliver
• takes pride in their work

Are you … ?

• interested in the print industry?
• extremely accurate?
• a neat and clean worker?
• good at measuring?
• able to stand for long periods at a time?
• willing to work shift, if necessary?
• responsible and reliable?
• safety conscious?

How do I become a Guillotine Operator?

PATH 1

• Apprenticeship
• Trade Test

PATH 2

• Learnership – CTFL Manufacturing Processes: Printing NQF Level 2, 3 and 4
• Trade Test

PATH 3

• Learnership – CNC Production Machining NQF Level 2, 3 and 4
  
• Trade Test

PATH 4

• National Certificate in Printing and Manufacture of Packaging (NQF Level 2, 3 and 4)
• Trade Test

PATH 5

• National Certificate: Printer/Finisher: N1, N2 and N3
• Workplace experience
• Trade Test
  

One of the ways you can become a Guillotine Operator is to contact:

• THE PRINTING INDUSTRIES FEDERATION OF SOUTH AFRICA: PIFSA

Each PIFSA course is broken into 3 sections:  TT1, TT2 and TT3. The duration of each TT modules is 4 weeks (20 days) and 3 days of examinations.

A minimum of 3 trainees would be required (per Trade) for a Guillotine Operator course to commence. Should there be less than 3 individuals, they will be advised to enrol for Distance Learning (Correspondence).

Please contact your local branch for further information. 
See link for contact details:  http://www.pifsa.org/

Another way is to:

Get an unskilled job in a printing company then, if you show that you’re hard working and ambitious, the printing company may send you for training . . . AND pay for it.  It’s up to you to show some passion and dedication.

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. 
• CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Scale Fitter … or … Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Mechanic

Is becoming an Guillotine Operator the right career choice for me?

OFO No:

What is a Carton & Die-Maker?

A Carton & Die-Maker works in the printing industry.  They are often grouped together under Tool Makers.

A Carton & Die-Maker is a trained specialist who creates dies (shapes) for the printing industry.  In this case, the Carton & Die-Maker – will make dies to cut out cartons or boxes.

A die is a specific shape carefully designed by designers – which the Die-Maker will create out of metal with very sharp edges.  These edges act like a guillotine and will either cut the shape out of the cardboard completely or just ‘score’ it.  Scoring means it will not cut the cardboard but just create a line/crease for easy folding.

Some dies can be very simple and others can be extremely complicated. 

It is up to the Die-Maker to precisely bend the metal ‘blade’ into the required shape.  Measurements have to be exact – right down to the last mm.

Other Die-Makers may make dies for shaped brochures, promotional items, packaging, etc etc.

What does a Carton & Die-Maker do?

• works off detailed die-lines (designer drawings)
• operates various technical machinery using precise measuring devices
• does lots of mathematics to make sure measurements are exact
• bends and shapes metal using special tools
• sharpens the ‘blade’

Are you … ?

• mathematically inclined?
• good with your hands?
• accurate?
• precise?
• reliable?
• able to deal with stress and deadlines?

How do I become a Carton & Die-Maker?

• CLICK HERE to find out how to become a Die-Maker
  

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. 
• CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

Here are a few examples of places you could contact:

• TASA: Toolmaking Association of South Africa

http://www.ntipweb.co.za/

• SENECA

http://www.senecac.on.ca/fulltime/MATT.html

• EASTCAPE TRAINING CENTRE

http://www.etc.org.za/

 

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Tool, Jig and Die-Maker  … or … Welder

Is becoming a Carton & Die-Maker the right career choice for me?

OFO No:

What is a Book Binder?

A Bookbinder is a person who has mastered the art of assembling individual pages of a book into a single volume (text block) and attaching a cover. 

Some commercial printers produce millions of books (like best sellers, journals, coffee table books and bibles) while other printers create one-of-a-kind speciality books where the bookbinder does the work by hand. 

Sometimes these one-of-a-kind books are bound in special materials, for example, leather.

Some Bookbinders also repair and restore old or rare books, especially if the cover has been damaged. 

What does a Book Binder do?

• collates and assembles pages
• makes text blocks and attaches covers
• ensures quality control
• in some cases, packs and ships books to clients
  
• restores old or rare books

Are you … ?

• interested in printing?
• a person who loves books?
• accurate?
• a perfectionist?
• good with your hands?
• neat and tidy?
• observant?
• mechanical?
• responsible?
• a person who takes pride in their work?

How do I become a Book Binder?

You may get an apprenticeship in a book-printing company/publishing house. 

If you can’t get one immediately – maybe you could try and apply for a different entry-level position in a printing company, for instance:  a sales person, front desk or admin person.

Once you’re in – you can maybe then show them you have skills and interest in getting involved in the actual printing side.

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Signwriter … or … Guillotine Operator

Is becoming a Book Binder the right career choice for me?