Printer Associate Jobs in North Carolina (NOW HIRING)

Royce Apparel is looking for a dependable and motivated Screen Printing Associate to join our production team. This position supports multiple areas of the screen-printing process, including Loader, Unloader, Oven Catcher, and Neck Label operations.

We’re looking for someone who is detail-oriented, works well in a fast-paced environment, and is comfortable working as part of a team. Previous screen-printing or manufacturing experience is a plus, but it is not required, we provide on-the-job training.

If you’re reliable, enjoy hands-on work, and are looking for an opportunity to grow within a production environment, we’d love to hear from you.

Position Summary:

The Screen-Printing Associate supports the day-to-day operations of the Screen-Printing Department by performing one or more production functions, including Loader, Unloader, Oven Catcher, and Neck Label operations.

The associate is responsible for handling garments throughout the screen-printing process, maintaining production flow, inspecting products for quality, and ensuring garments are processed accurately according to production orders and customer specifications.

Employees may be trained and assigned to multiple screen-printing functions based on production schedules, workload, staffing, and business needs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Loader Responsibilities

• Prepare garments for loading onto the screen-printing press.
• Verify that the correct garment, style, color, and size are being used for the production order.
• Load garments onto printing pallets in the proper position and orientation.
• Align garments consistently to help ensure accurate print placement.
• Smooth and position garments to prevent wrinkles, folds, or other conditions that could affect print quality.
• Maintain a consistent loading pace to support the speed and continuous operation of the printing press.
• Monitor garments for visible defects before loading and separate questionable garments when necessary.
• Communicate immediately with the press operator or Team Lead when garment or production issues are identified.

Unloader Responsibilities

• Remove printed garments from the screen-printing press carefully and efficiently.
• Handle freshly printed garments in a manner that prevents smearing, distortion, or damage to the printed design.
• Verify that garments move properly from the press into the curing/dryer process.
• Visually inspect printed garments for obvious printing defects, incorrect placement, missing colors, or other quality concerns.
• Separate defective garments when necessary and notify the appropriate Team Lead or supervisor.
• Maintain production flow by unloading garments at a consistent pace.

Oven Catcher Responsibilities

• Receive garments as they exit the curing dryer/oven.
• Inspect garments for print quality, curing concerns, stains, damage, or other visible defects.
• Ensure printed garments are handled properly after curing to avoid damage.
• Organize garments according to the production order, including by size or style when required.
• Count garments as directed and help verify production quantities.
• Fold, stack, bundle, or prepare completed garments for the next stage of production.
• Identify and separate damaged, defective, or questionable garments.
• Communicate shortages, overages, defects, or other production issues to the Team Lead or Production Manager.
• Keep the oven exit and garment collection area organized to prevent product mix-ups.

Neck Label Responsibilities

• Apply or assist with the application of printed neck labels according to customer and production specifications.
• Verify the correct garment, size, label design, and placement before processing.
• Position garments correctly to ensure consistent neck-label placement.
• Inspect completed neck labels for proper placement, readability, print quality, and accuracy.
• Identify garments with incorrect, missing, damaged, or improperly positioned neck labels.
• Maintain separation and organization of garments by order, style, size, and customer.
• Maintain production speed while ensuring accuracy and quality.
• Assist with counting, stacking, folding, and preparing garments for the next production process.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to follow work orders, instructions, and production standards.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to identify quality issues.
• Ability to work accurately and efficiently in a fast-paced production environment.
• Good hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity.
• Ability to count, sort, organize, and handle garments accurately.
• Ability to work well as part of a team and communicate production concerns.
• Ability to learn and perform multiple screen-printing functions, including Loader, Unloader, Oven Catcher, and Neck Label.
• Ability to follow safety procedures and maintain a clean work area.

Education/Certification Requirements:

• High school diploma or GED preferred, but not required.
• Previous experience in screen printing, apparel manufacturing, or a production environment is preferred but not required.
• No specific certifications are required.
• On-the-job training will be provided for assigned screen-printing functions.

Physical, Cognitive, Environmental, and Safety Demands:

• Ability to stand and walk for most of the work shift.
• Ability to frequently reach, bend, twist, grasp, and perform repetitive hand and arm movements.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 lbs. frequently and up to 50 lbs. occasionally, with assistance when appropriate.
• Ability to maintain attention to detail, follow instructions, and identify garment or print quality issues.
• Ability to work at a consistent pace in a fast-paced production environment.
• Work is performed around screen-printing equipment, conveyors, and curing ovens and may involve heat, noise, odors, and varying temperatures.
• Must follow all Company safety procedures, equipment guidelines, and required PPE.

Royce Apparel Inc is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws. Employment decisions, including recruitment, hiring, compensation, benefits, promotion, transfer, discipline, termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. Royce Apparel is committed to maintaining a workplace free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.

Royce`s primary focus is to offer fashion forward merchandise and a great work environment for its employees with a family atmosphere. Royce follows current fashion trends and pays particular close attention to fabric and embellishment details.