Print Assistant

Prospex Recruitment; East Hertfordshire; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Global leading organisation is seeking a skilled Litho No. 2 Press Operator to join their print production team in Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire. This hybrid role blends digital inkjet with traditional litho feeding, ensuring high-speed sheet handling and colour consistency.

The No. 2 will set up, feed sheets, monitor ink where applicable, and maintain continuous production throughput. Prior experience on sheetfed litho or hybrid presses is required.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience as a No. 2 / Assistant Press Operator on sheetfed litho or high-speed hybrid presses.
• Large format production experience up to 62x42”.
• Strong understanding of sheetfed paper handling, suckers, blowers, side guides, double-sheet detectors, and pile delivery mechanisms.

Responsibilities

• Feeder & Stacker Operations: Set up, adjust, and monitor the litho-style continuous feeder and stacker, ensuring smooth sheet travel for varying paper stocks, weights, and formats.
• Stock Preparation: Stage, inspect, and prepare paper substrates, ensuring correct grain direction, size, and conditioning before loading into the feeder.
• In-Flight Monitoring: Monitor sheet registration, double-sheet detection, suction/blower controls, and stack alignment during high-speed production runs.
• Colour & Registration Checks: Assist the Lead Operator in monitoring digital print output for registration, colour accuracy, surface defects, and substrate consistency.
• Troubleshooting: Address sheet jam, misfeed, or registration issues promptly to minimize press downtime.
• Maintenance & Housekeeping: Clean and maintain feeder rollers, air nozzles, side guides, sheet transport belts, suction wheels; keep press area clean and safe.

Skills

Hybrid press operation

Sheetfed litho

Color consistency

Troubleshooting

High-speed feeding

Tools

Heidelberg

Komori

Manroland

Agfa

Durst

Job description

Print Assistant / No. 2 Print Press Operator - Hybrid Litho/Digital

Location: Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire

Salary: DOE

Company: Global leading organisation serving indoor, outdoor and online markets.

Role

Our client is seeking a skilled Litho No. 2 Press Operator to join there print production team. This is a unique hybrid role: while the printing engine uses advanced digital inkjet technology, the line utilises standard lithographic feeding, sheet-handling, dynamic registration, and delivery stacking systems.

As the No. 2, you will be responsible for set-up, sheet feeding, ink monitoring (where applicable), paper handling, and maintaining continuous production throughput. Because this press operates digitally, plate changing and traditional dampening control are not required, allowing you to focus on high-speed sheet feeding, colour consistency, media handling, and inline/offline press maintenance.

• Feeder & Stacker Operations: Set up, adjust, and monitor the litho-style continuous feeder and stacker, ensuring smooth sheet travel for varying paper stocks, weights, and formats.


• Stock Preparation: Stage, inspect, and prepare paper substrates, ensuring correct grain direction, size, and conditioning before loading into the feeder.


• In-Flight Monitoring: Monitor sheet registration, double-sheet detection, suction/blower controls, and stack alignment during high-speed production runs.


• Colour & Registration Checks: Assist the Lead Operator in monitoring digital print output for registration, colour accuracy, surface defects, and substrate consistency.


• Troubleshooting: Address sheet jam, misfeed, or registration issues promptly to minimize press downtime.

Maintenance & Housekeeping

• Preventative Maintenance: Clean and maintain feeder rollers, air nozzles, side guides, sheet transport belts, suction wheels.


• General Upkeep: Ensure the press area is organized, clean, and stocked with necessary paper.


• Safety Adherence: Maintain strict compliance with safety guidelines.

Requirements

• 2+ years of experience as a No. 2 / Assistant Press Operator on sheetfed litho or high-speed hybrid presses.


• Large format production experience - up to 62x42”


• Strong understanding of sheetfed paper handling, suckers, blowers, side guides, double-sheet detectors, and pile delivery mechanisms.


• Hands‑on ability to adjust mechanical feeding/stacking controls for diverse stock weights (from light text paper to heavy board).


• Attention to Detail: Eye for detail regarding sheet alignment, surface scratches, and colour uniformity.

Preferred

• Experience with hybrid litho-digital presses or digital web/sheet units with traditional offset finishing lines.


• Basic understanding of digital press.

Key words

large format / print / digital / screen / Litho / Lithographic / Press Operator / No2 Press Operator / Print Assistant / graphics / machine operator / print assistant / print finisher / guillotine operator / print operator / printer / POS / point of sale / outdoor media / Agfa / Speedset Orca / Durst / large format printer / digital print operator / Heidelberg / Komori / Manroland / No 2 Printer / No.2 Printer / Print No.2 / Print Assistant / Press Assistant