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Flexographic Ink Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Waxer Operator

Chicago, IL · On-site

$17.50 - $21/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

... a flexographic printing press to coat rolls of paper with paraffin wax blend for use in making ... Required at times to retrieve and return ink drums to press area or to ink storage room. * Cleans ...

Waxer Operator

Chicago, IL · On-site

$17.50 - $21/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

... a flexographic printing press to coat rolls of paper with paraffin wax blend for use in making ... Required at times to retrieve and return ink drums to press area or to ink storage room. * Cleans ...

Waxer Operator

Chicago, IL

$17.50 - $21/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

... a flexographic printing press to coat rolls of paper with paraffin wax blend for use in making ... Required at times to retrieve and return ink drums to press area or to ink storage room. * Cleans ...

Flexo Press Support

Des Plaines, IL · On-site

$21 - $27.75/hr

Fills ink pans, screens and pumps with prescribed inks. * Inserts shaft through core and secures roll on press in feed position. * Splices end of roll to stock remaining on press and adjusts tension ...

Electro Mechanic I

Elk Grove Village, IL · On-site

$36.34 - $39.85/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Maintaining equipment such as chillers, process pumps, compressors, ink pumps, and glue pumps ... Flexographic printing * Lamination * Slitting * Related converting or ancillary manufacturing ...

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2nd Shift Flexo Press Operator

Des Plaines, IL · On-site

$25 - $30/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

Fills ink pans, screens and pumps with prescribed inks. Starts press, adjusting speed and alignment of stock to the print cylinder as necessary. Engages print cylinders; adjusts printing impression ...

Showing results 21-27

Flexographic Ink information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$15

$25

$35

How much do flexographic ink jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for flexographic ink in Chicago, IL is $25.80, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.30 and $28.22 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a flexographic ink technician?

To thrive as a Flexographic Ink Technician, you need a thorough understanding of ink formulation, color matching, and printing processes, often supported by technical training or relevant certifications. Familiarity with flexographic printing presses, ink mixing systems, and quality control tools is typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are vital soft skills in this role. These skills ensure consistent print quality, minimize production errors, and support efficient collaboration with press operators and production teams.

What is the difference between Flexographic Ink vs Flexographic Printer?

AspectFlexographic InkFlexographic Printer
Primary RoleType of ink used in flexographic printingMachine operator who applies flexographic ink to print on packaging
CredentialsKnowledge of ink properties, safety standardsTraining in printing machinery, color management
Work EnvironmentManufacturing or printing facilitiesPrinting presses, production lines
Industry UsageUsed across packaging, labels, flexible materialsOperates flexographic printing presses in similar industries

Flexographic ink is the specialized ink used in flexographic printing, while a flexographic printer is the professional who operates the printing press that uses this ink. Both roles are integral to the printing process, with the ink being a consumable and the printer being the operator ensuring quality and efficiency.

What is flexographic ink?

Flexographic inks are specially formulated inks used in flexographic printing, a popular method for printing on packaging materials such as plastic, paper, and cardboard. These inks are designed to dry quickly and adhere well to a variety of substrates, making them ideal for high-speed printing processes. Flexographic inks can be water-based, solvent-based, or UV-curable, allowing printers to choose the best option for their specific application and environmental requirements.

What are some common challenges flexographic ink technicians face during production runs?

Flexographic ink technicians often encounter challenges such as maintaining color consistency, preventing ink drying on press, and addressing issues with substrate compatibility. Quick troubleshooting is essential to minimize downtime, as unexpected print defects or environmental factors (like humidity) can affect ink performance. Collaboration with press operators and quality control teams is crucial for resolving these issues efficiently and ensuring high-quality print results.
Infographic showing various Flexographic Ink job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, and 20% Nights. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $53,668 per year, or $25.8 per hour.

Waxer Operator

Novolex

Chicago, IL • On-site

$17.50 - $21/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision

Re-posted 20 days ago


Novolex rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 102 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

59th of 119 rated packaging manufacturers


Job description

Company Overview
Why Choose Us?
Novolex is a leading manufacturer of food, beverage, and specialty packaging that supports multiple industries including foodservice, restaurant delivery and carryout, food processing, grocery and retail, and industrial sectors. Novolex manufacturing and sourcing expertise spans a diverse range of substrates including resin, paper, molded fiber, aluminum and more. We provide customers a broad array of stock and customized solutions with 120 product categories, 250 brands and over 39,000 SKUs.
Our Sustainability Commitment
The Novolex sustainability vision is built upon three pillars: our products, our operations and our people. Each is critically important to our growth and future as a business. These pillars form the foundation of our company-wide commitment to sustainability, helping us achieve our ambitious goals through our wide-ranging initiatives.
Job Description
Novolex, Where Packaging Innovation Meets Career Opportunities!
Waxer|Chicago|HIRING IMMEDIATELY
POSITION SUMMARY
Sets up and operates wax coater mounted in line with a flexographic printing press to coat rolls of paper with paraffin wax blend for use in making butter, candy and confectionary and food service wrappers. Waxer Operator usually works in team with a Press Operator on presses equipped with waxer that coats paper by threading paper through waxer machine and starts end of paper around rewind core.
QUALIFICATIONS
  • Five or more years of hands on experience operating a web fed converting machine. Two years minimum experience as a coater helper or operator.
RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Assist Press Operator to mount paper roll on machine using chain hoist.
  • Blends liquid wax with additives and turns valves to regulate temperature and melt material.
  • Starts coating machine and adjusts controls to regulate machine feed, temperature of wax, cooling rolls, or cold water bath, and tension of paper feed.
  • Weighs standard-size paper sheets before and after coating and calculates weight of wax to verify that coating meets customer specifications.
  • Cuts sample of printed/coated material from end of printed roll and inspects for imperfections.
  • Cleans waxer rollers, wax tanks, cooling cylinders, cold water bath tanks and blending system.
  • Observes mechanical operation and indicating gauges, such as thermometers, steam pressure/temperature and air pressure gauges to ensure that specified operating levels are maintained and make specified adjustments when malfunction occurs.
  • Splices breaks in paper, using tape
  • Removes rewound roll or sheets from machine with hoist, and pulls shaft from core by hand. Shafts can weigh up to or in excess of 100 lbs. (required to lift with partner).
  • Weighs, labels and marks printed/coated rolls and moves to Slitter area.
  • Required at times to retrieve and return ink drums to press area or to ink storage room.
  • Cleans waxer and work area, keeps daily time, production, and material usage reports.
  • Conform to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP's).
  • Conform to Safe Quality Food (SQF) procedures and policies to assure products are suitable for direct food contact.
  • Responsible for inspecting and reporting any product quality or food safety issues to the Quality Assurance Manager (SQF Practitioner), Management Team member or lead person.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS/COMPETENCIES
  • Basic mechanical aptitude.
  • Ability to lift at minimum 50 lbs.
  • Basic computer skills.

#INDIIB
Company Benefits
What You'll Get From Us
Benefits
With safety as our top priority and a commitment to employee well-being an important focus, we offer comprehensive and competitive benefits that include medical, dental and vision insurance as well as a variety of other well-being resources focused on mental, physical and financial health. Specific benefits and well-being programs may vary depending on where you work.
Community Engagement
At Novolex, giving back to the local communities that support us is important. Our Focused Giving Program prioritizes support for organizations whose missions promote sustainability initiatives or address food and hunger needs. We also encourage facility level support of activities in the communities where our employees live and work.
Training and Development
We offer constant opportunities for advancement. From skills development to advanced education programs, training and development programs and courses are available through MyLearning. Programs include company and industry training curricula, support for formal education through the Tuition Reimbursement Program (Non-Union), and a Learning Management System that supports and enhances employee skills at all levels of the organization.
Novolex is committed to providing equal employment opportunity in all employment practices, including but not limited to selection, hiring, promotion, transfer, and compensation to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to age, race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, handicap or disability, genetics, citizenship status, service member or veteran status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law. Any individual who, because of his or her disability, needs an accommodation in connection with an aspect of the Company's application process should contact myHRservices@novolex.com.
Formerly Pactiv Evergreen

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