Entry Level Ink Chemist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Press Operator Apprentice (4-Day Work Week / No Fridays)

Department: Pressroom Operations

Reports To: Shift Supervisor / Lead Pressman

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt (Hourly)

Why Join Us?

• 3-Day Weekends Every Week: Work a stable 4-day schedule (Monday–Thursday)—Fridays off!
• Comprehensive Benefits: Full health, dental, and vision insurance plus a company-matched 401(k) plan.
• Paid Career Trade: Structured, hands-on training with a clear promotion path to Second Pressman and Lead Pressman roles.

Job Summary

The Press Operator Apprentice is an entry-level technical training role designed for a mechanically minded, dependable individual eager to master the trade of commercial press operation. Working directly alongside experienced Lead Pressmen and Journeymen, you will gain hands-on expertise in paper feeder setup, press preparation, fountain chemistry, color washdowns, and continuous inline quality control.

This role is structured as a paid, on-the-job apprenticeship with a defined path for rapid skills development and promotion within our pressroom operations.

Key Responsibilities & What You Will Learn

1. Feeder Operations & Material Management

• Stock Preparation: Stage, inspect, jog (align), and load paper stock or web rolls into press feeders according to job tickets.
• Material Verification: Learn to verify stock parameters (basis weight, caliper, sheet size, coating, and grain direction) against job specifications prior to loading.
• Delivery & Stacking: Monitor the press delivery pile to ensure clean stacking, preventing offset, smudging, static, or mechanical damage.
• Work Area Flow: Keep press loading zones clear, organized, and stocked with necessary paper, skids, and core supplies.

2. Make-Ready & Press Preparation

• Job Setups: Partner with the Lead Pressman to execute fast, systematic job make-readies and turnarounds between production runs.
• Tooling & Chemistry: Retrieve, inspect, and stage printing plates, blankets, packing, inks, and specialized coating solutions.
• Fountain Maintenance: Monitor and maintain ink fountains, fountain solution tanks, and solvent reservoirs throughout production to keep run consistency stable.

3. Equipment Care & Preventive Maintenance

• System Washups: Master rapid, thorough washdowns of ink rollers, fountains, and blankets during color changes and end-of-shift routines.
• Cylinder Maintenance: Clean and scrub plate, blanket, and impression cylinders, keeping sensitive mechanical zones free of debris and buildup.
• Routine Servicing: Perform basic preventive maintenance under supervision, including lubrication, greasing, and replacing washup blades and filters.

4. Quality Control, Safety & Housekeeping

• Inline Quality Checks: Assist with visual inspections of printed output to catch defects early (e.g., hickeys, streaks, water spots, or register drift).
• Safety Protocols: Follow strict Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) rules, machine safety guard protocols, chemical handling procedures, and required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• 5S Maintenance: Maintain an organized, safe press bay by sweeping paper dust, cleaning chemical spills immediately, and managing hand tools.

Qualifications & Skill Requirements

• Education: High school diploma, GED, or equivalent vocational training.
• Experience: Prior exposure to manufacturing, warehouse, automotive, or commercial print environments is a plus, but no prior press experience is required for candidates with strong mechanical aptitude.
• Mechanical Aptitude: High comfort working with hand tools, taking measurements, and operating high-speed automated industrial machinery.
• Detail-Oriented: Strong visual awareness with the ability to read job tickets, follow step-by-step instructions, and recognize subtle color variations.
• Work Ethic & Ambition: High reliability, strong communication skills, and a genuine desire to learn a technical trade.

Schedule, Benefits & Physical Requirements

• Schedule: 4-Day Work Week (Monday–Thursday, 10-hour shifts). No Friday work (except occasional planned overtime during peak volume).
• Compensation & Benefits: Hourly pay with weekly payroll, full health insurance coverage, and 401(k) retirement savings with company match.
• Physical Stamina: Ability to stand, walk, bend, crouch, reach, and lift continuously throughout a 10-hour shift.
• Lifting: Regularly lift, push, pull, or carry materials weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Environment: Active industrial pressroom environment with exposure to elevated noise levels, ink/chemical solvents, paper dust, and heat (appropriate PPE provided).