Print Finishing Technician
The Print Finishing Technician plays a key role in the modern professional laboratory. It is not only their job to mount prints for display on a variety of substrates (e.g. card, Foamex and hardboard), but also to take care of the preparation and packaging of value-added photo imaging products and the assembly of display systems and exhibition stands.
Print Finishing Technicians are usually employed by professional laboratories or other image producers, such as retail minilabs or display graphic specialists.
What is the job?
The Print Finisher uses precision cutting and mounting equipment to complete the final display product for the client, working to tolerances of no more than 1mm. The prints are usually laminated to protect the surface, and the exhibition industry makes wide use of flexible substrates for portable displays. Work areas must be kept scrupulously clean to prevent dust or hairs getting under a laminate as this would ruin the final appearance of a display panel.
Whereas in the past Print Finishing Technicians worked largely with card, Foamex and hardboard, the revolution in digital technology, and the resultant diversification within the sector, means that they are now responsible for the mounting, assembly and packaging of a variety of products. Their duties typically involve:
- Mounting on card, Foamex and hardboard
- Laminating using matt, lustre or gloss heatseal
- Finishing of linen or canvas prints
- Canvas bonding on stretchers and card
- Canvas wrap
- Framing
They may also be responsible for the assembly of a wide variety of exhibition, point of sale and display systems, including:
- Literature racks
- Table top displays
- Lecterns
- Exhibition stands
- In store promotion units
- Banner stands
- Pop-up stands
- Modular stands
- A-frames
- Information points
- Menu boards
- Light-boxes and backlit displays
- Brochure stands
- Graphic panels.
The role can be physically demanding, as much of the work is done while standing. The job may also involve lifting large rolls of adhesive and laminates. As the last link in the production chain, mistakes here can be costly, in both time and money, and deadline pressures are often felt most keenly at this point.
Typical career routes
The Print Finishing Technician requires excellent manual dexterity and a keen attention to detail. As a result a typical route into this kind of work is often through picture framing, woodwork or model making - or other roles where technicians need to work with their hands to accurate dimensions.
Essential knowledge and skills
Print Finishing Technicians need to be methodical and well-organised. They need to possess excellent mechanical and problem-solving skills, and have the ability to ‘think out of the box'.
They should have good communication and customer service skills so they can liaise effectively with clients and their other production colleagues to achieve the desired result and finish. They need to be able to think ahead and foresee problems before they arise. Technicians should have a calm manner and demonstrate the ability to work to a high degree of accuracy, even when working to a tight deadline.
It is important to be a good team player, to have an awareness of the problems that may occur earlier in the production chain, and to be able to take a calm approach to the inevitable deadline pressures.
Training and qualifications
There are no formal entry requirements for this role, but the work would suit someone with a calm attitude, a systematic approach and prior experience in woodwork, model making or another craft activity which requires accurate measuring and good manual dexterity.
Training on specific items of laboratory equipment is usually provided "on the job" and by some of the major suppliers to the industry.
For this information and more, please view the attached PDF.
Print Finishing Technician
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