Flexo Press Operator

Smurfit Westrock; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 36,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive training

Career growth

Competitive compensation

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock is seeking a First Press Operator to assist in the operation and maintenance of the assigned press, ensuring ink, stock, and print parameters align with job tickets.

The role requires 1–2 years of sheet-fed press experience, color perception, and basic computer skills. You will prepare materials, set up feeders, verify color registration, and support quality assurance. Overtime may be required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Good color perception and ability to pass color tests.
• 1–2 years as a feeder or floor helper on a sheet-fed press.
• Experience with color scanning equipment.
• Ability to read safety rules and operation manuals.
• Basic data entry and arithmetic skills.
• Ability to read a ruler and operate print quality meters.

Responsibilities

• Read job tickets and verify stock, ink, and specs.
• Prepare stock and ink; ensure correct colors.
• Set up press components and feeders.
• Register colors, check alignment, trims, bleeds.
• Maintain ink, chemicals, and fountain solution quality.
• Washes press during changeover and shift end.
• Follow safety policies and handle hazardous materials.

Skills

Color perception

Reading & interpretation

Basic arithmetic

Reliability & attendance

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Densitometers

Spectrophotometers

Gloss meters

PH/Conductivity meters

Computer terminals

Job description

Description & Requirements

Smurfit Westrock (NYSE:SW) is the go-to leader and partner of choice in sustainable packaging. We are dedicated to creating efficient and scalable paper and packaging solutions to help solve complex packaging challenges. Guided by our values of safety, loyalty, integrity and respect, we are committed to delivering meaningful value for shareholders, customers, employees and the communities where we operate.

Description & Requirements

Smurfit Westrock (NYSE:SW) is the go-to leader and partner of choice in sustainable packaging. We are dedicated to creating efficient and scalable paper and packaging solutions to help solve complex packaging challenges. Guided by our values of safety, loyalty, integrity and respect, we are committed to delivering meaningful value for shareholders, customers, employees and the communities where we operate.

Opportunity:

Assist the First Press Operator in the operation and maintenance of the assigned press.

Essential Job Functions

• Reads Instructions from job ticket, i.e. type of stock, amount of paper, size, weight, and caliper, type of ink and colors, including all special instructions.
• Brings stock and ink to press, makes sure all paper is accounted for and ink is the correct color/type.
• Reviews job tickets before job runs and identifies all variables before set-up to ensure that 100% of all jobs are run accurately.
• Makes up appropriate sets/books of waste for make ready pulls prior to starting make ready.
• Sets up feeder, side guide, double sheet detector in-feed and delivery including slow down wheels.
• Positions image on sheet according to layout provided.
• Registers colors and does line up to check copy, imposition/pagination (work and turn, work and flop, sheet wise), trims, bleeds, folds, squareness of image to gripper and side guide.
• Provides laminated for color and peel test and records in book.
• Obtains supervisor’s approval on all jobs.
• Uses mylar template to check position of image and magnetic strips on plastic card jobs, checks for roper shear marks on all hydraulic lamination jobs.
• Feeds paper during press run and operates continuous feeder in an efficient manner.
• Ensures press operates efficiently without trip-offs to meet required estimates.
• Keeps ink fountain and chemical supply up to standard. Checks PH and conductivity of fountain solution.
• Ensures press does not run short of ink or chemicals.
• Examines printed sheet along with First Press Operator during press run for quality assurance.
• Time stamps and views quality pulls at each interval.
• Washes press during change over, or final end of shift wash up, including impression cylinders, blanket wash blades, wash up pans, ink knives, gum plates if required, etc.
• Meets the required estimate for wash-up and to have a smooth shift transition.
• Follows all safety policies and directs safety of crew. Keeps abreast of MSDS program, Lockout/Tagout and directs the proper handling/disposal of hazardous chemicals.
• Maintains awareness of policies and safety procedures, always utilizing proper techniques
• Performs preventative maintenance on press such as lubrication, replacement of small parts, cleaning and minor adjustments and/or replacement of rollers and other small moving parts.
• Cleans area prior to the next shift starting.
• Performs other job duties as assigned.

What You Need To Succeed

• Must be a high school graduate or have a G.E.D.
• Must have good color perception.
• Must pass color hue test.
• Must pass color vision test.
• Must have 1 to 2 years’ experience working as a Feeder or Floor Help with some exposure to feeding on a sheet fed press.
• Must have working experience with color scanning equipment.
• Must have experience working with plastic substrates.
• Must have the ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals.
• Must have basic computer skills (data entry).
• Must have the ability to perform basic arithmetic including additions, subtraction, multiplication and division.
• Must have the ability to read a ruler.
• Must have the ability to operate densitometers, spectrophotometers, calculators, computer terminals, gloss meters, PH/conductivity meters and other printing equipment needed to accomplish the task(s).
• Must be able to work in and around UV (Ultra-Violet) materials.
• Must be able to register 6/c work and spot coatings
• Must possess the following competencies: accuracy, reliability, decision making, time management and self motivation.
• Must be able to maintain good attendance.
• Must be willing to work overtime as needed; significant overtime may be required during busy periods.
• Must be reliable and dependable.
• Must be able to perform all essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodation.

What We Offer

• A workplace culture built on integrity, respect, accountability, and excellence.
• Comprehensive training with opportunities for professional development and career growth.
• Competitive compensation based on experience, skills, and performance.
• A career with a global packaging leader where Safety, Sustainability, and Inclusion are foundational to daily operations.
• Opportunities to contribute across multiple business functions and make a meaningful impact on employee and customer experiences.

Candidates are required to undergo a drug screening after receiving a conditional job offer, but before starting employment.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law.