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Reprographic assistant

Alternative titles for this job include Print room operator

Reprographic assistants use copiers, scanners and printers to make documents, brochures, leaflets and pictures.

Average salary (a year)

£17,000 Starter

to

£25,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

39 to 41 a week

You could work

between 8am and 6pm

How to become

How to become a reprographic assistant

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

College

You could take a college course to learn some of the skills you'll need. Courses include:

  • Level 2 Certificate in Reprographics
  • Level 2 Award in Graphic Design

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could start by doing a print technician advanced apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

Direct Application

You may need some GCSEs to apply directly for jobs, for example maths, English, IT and art and design. Experience in using desktop publishing software will also be helpful.

More Information

Further information

You can find out more about careers in reprographics from the British Printing Industries Federation.

What it takes

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • physical skills like movement, coordination and dexterity
  • design skills and knowledge
  • ambition and a desire to succeed
  • analytical thinking skills
  • observation and recording skills
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

What you’ll do

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In your day-to-day duties you may:

  • take customer orders
  • help prepare designs and layouts for print runs
  • work out timescales, costs and the number of copies required
  • programme instructions into copying, scanning and printing equipment
  • make sure machines have suitable levels of inks, chemicals and toners
  • mount printing plates, if working on a press, and line them up correctly
  • monitor the progress of the copying run and quality check samples
  • finish copied items by trimming, binding or laminating
  • perform basic equipment maintenance and cleaning
  • record job details and order supplies

Working environment

You could work in an office or in a workshop.

Your working environment may be physically demanding.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become a departmental supervisor or production controller.

In a print shop, you could become a shop manager.

Current opportunities

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Apprentice Printer

  • Wage: £146.25 Weekly
  • Location: Pudsey

Print & Design Apprentice

  • Wage: £200.00 Weekly
  • Location: Wirral
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Level 1 UAL Award in Graphic Design

  • Provider: WESTMINSTER CITY COUNCIL
  • Start date: 24 April 2021
  • Location: London

OCR Level 1/Level 2 GCSE (9-1) in Art and Design (Photography)

  • Provider: BRIGHTON ALDRIDGE COMMUNITY ACADEMY
  • Start date: 01 September 2021
  • Location: Brighton
Find courses near you

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