Minilab Operator Photo Retail
Minilab Operator - Photo Retail
A Minilab is a fully-automated photographic film processing and photographic printing service located within a photographic retailer, supermarket or chemist. The retail Minilab specialises in one-hour, same day or next day processing of films and the photographic printing of digital images for the general public. Minilab equipment is straightforward to operate and Minilab Operators are often trained on the job.
Within the photo retail environment, the role of Minilab Operator can be entirely separate or may be combined with that of a Photo Retail Sales Assistant (see the Skillset Job Profile for this role). The work involves frequent contact with customers and is moderately well paid. Almost all Minilab Operators are employees who may be employed on a part-time or full-time basis.
What is the job?
A retail Minilab is a small photographic laboratory located within a photographic shop, supermarket or chemist. It provides the general public with a personalised processing and printing service, with fast turnarounds on most orders. The Minilab Operator is the technician who controls and maintains the three main machines in the modular Minilab set up. These are: the film processor, the photographic printer and the digital photographic printer. Most of these processes are computerised and the Minilab Operator is mainly required to refill chemicals and ensure that the machines are properly calibrated for optimum results. Minilab Operators will also be expected to check, label and sleeve prints or discs for customers. They need to be aware of health and safety issues when dealing with chemicals, and maintain equipment regularly.
A digital printer uses traditional chemical photographic processes to make prints from digital images. The resulting photographs have the same sharpness and durability as traditional photographs, and are usually of better quality than can be achieved by home printers. Photographic images are input to the digital printer in digital format or digitally scanned from negatives, existing prints or mounted slides. Though most processing is automatic, the Minilab Operator checks - and can make corrections to - brightness, colour balance, colour saturation, contrast, sharpness and cropping.
In many retail locations, the Minilab setup will also include a digital imaging station for the retouching of images and the restoration of old photographs. Other photo retailers also feature a Digital Kiosk that enables the customer to upload images from CD-ROMs, memory cards or camera phones and print them themselves. The Minilab Operator will usually be expected to refill and maintain this machine.
Minilab Operators may be asked to undertake some Digital Imaging work, such as photo-retouching, recropping, design and layout work, using standard software packages such as Adobe Photoshop, Aperture, Adobe Illustrator and InDesign. Some Minilabs also promote other printing applications, including the printing of photographic images on T-shirts, mugs and posters, as well as promotional items for small businesses and social organisations such as business cards, flyers, stretchered canvases and exhibition stands.
Most Minilab Operators are full-time or part-time employees working regular shifts which may include Saturdays and Sundays.
Typical career routes
There are no set entry requirements to become a Minilab Operator. Most people progress into this role through customer sales (see the Skillset Job Profile for Photo Retail Sales Assistant), and receive training from the equipment manufacturer or from their more experienced colleagues.
A Minilab Operator can gain promotion from this role into management, digital imaging (see Skillset Job Profiles for Digital Imaging Specialist - Laboratory and Digital Imaging Specialist - Picture Library), or more specialised laboratory work (see Skillset Job Profiles for the Laboratory sector).
Essential knowledge and skills
To work in this role demands excellent customer service skills and the ability to think on your feet. The operation of the Minilab itself also requires a good level of manual and technical skills. An interest in photography and experience operating digital imaging and design software, such as Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator, may also be useful.
On a personal level, Minilab Operators should have:
- excellent colour vision
- an ability to assess colour, contrast and density when making corrections
- good concentration and a keen attention to detail
- an interest in photography, photographic techniques and applications
- good communication skills and the ability to confirm customers' instructions
- a calm, methodical and deadline-focussed approach.
On a retail service level they need to:
- enjoy working with the public
- make sure goods are attractively displayed
- provide advice on products and prices the availability of stock
- takepaymentsby cash,card or cheque
- take care of the ordering and delivery of stock.
On a technical level they should:
- have good numeric skills for calculating processing times, exposures and film
- speedshave analytical and mechanical skills to diagnose faults and maintain equipment
- be creative and have design skills when working in digital imaging.
- have superior computer skills (Mac and PC) and experience of using digital
- imaging software such as Adobe Photoshop
- be confident when dealing with difficult and sometimes unexpected situations
It is vital that Minilab Operators maintain good concentration, even when carrying out routine tasks. This is important if the company is to maintain quality standards and to prevent damage to very expensive equipment. Since Minilab Operators may sometimes be asked to cover for other members of the retail sales team during their breaks, it is helpful if they also have a good knowledge of cameras, camera phones and other photographic equipment.
There are National Occupational Standards (NOS) for Photo Imaging. These give a detailed breakdown of the knowledge, awareness and skills needed to effectively carry out a particular job role. The NOS relevant to this job are listed at the end of this profile.
Training and qualifications
Most training is carried out by employers or the manufacturers of specific machines. This means that no formal qualifications are required to work or train as a Minilab Operator. Customer service skills and a technical aptitude are usually considered far more important than academic or technical qualifications, and Minilab Operators are usually hired with prior Minilab experience or as Photo Retail Sales Assistants (see Skillset Job Profile for this role), who are then trained on the job.
Some employers ask for GCSEs or Standard grades in maths and a science subject and that applicants have a personal interest in photography, but these are by no means essential qualifications. Prospective employers are more likely to be impressed if the applicant has good computer skills, particularly in the use of desktop publishing packages, such as Adobe Photoshop, Quark, Illustrator or InDesign.
Minilab Operators usually train on the job and may also attend short courses run by manufacturers. It is also possible to study for vocational qualifications while working. Employers may support work-based qualifications, such as Apprenticeships and NVQ/SVQs. Photo Imaging NVQ/SVQs are currently available at levels 2, 3 and 4.
Minilab Operators working in digital imaging may also complete a variety of short professional development courses or workshops in image manipulation techniques such as Photoshop, toning and tinting.
For this information and more, please view the attached PDF.
Minilab Operator - Retail
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