A reprographic assistant makes bulk copies of printed material, for example, leaflets, posters, brochures or documents. They do this by setting up and using photocopying or offset litho printing machines.

The Work

You could be:

• printing bulk copies of different types of printed material
• setting up and operating a variety of photocopiers, including digital and laser, and offset litho printing machines
• mounting and aligning printing plates and cylinders on printing presses
• making sure that the ink, chemicals, toner and colour saturation controls are set at the correct levels for each job
• checking that the machines are working properly
• quality checking samples of the work
• trimming, binding and packaging the finished items
• recording job details
• ordering replacement supplies.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual salaries may vary, depending on:

• where you work
• the size of the company or organisation you work for and whether you are self-employed
• the demand for the job.

Starting salaries for reprographic assistants is usually around £14,000 a year. With experience this can rise to between £16,000 and £20,500 a year.

Conditions

• You will probably work in a reprographics or print shop, or print room.
• You may need to wear protective clothing to work with some types of equipment.
• You might have to lift and carry items.

Getting In

• A good general education is useful. Some employers look for a group of subjects at National 4 or 5. English, Maths, Art and Design and Computing Science or Graphic Communication are useful.
• You may be able to get in by doing a Modern Apprenticeship in Print Industry Occupations, working towards Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs).

You could work for a printing company, print shop or large organisation with a specialised print room, for example, a local authority or university.

Job Outlook Scotland

Job Outlook Scotland and UK

  Scotland

2019

58712

0.8 %

RISE

2024

59199

  United Kingdom

2019

740239

2 %

RISE

2024

754871

LMI data powered by EMSI UK

What Does it Take?

You should be:

• well organised
• able to work under pressure to deadlines
• able to operate machinery
• a good team worker
• excellent attention to detail
• able to follow instructions
• confident working with computers
• flexible and willing to do a variety of tasks.

Training

You train mainly on the job, with part time off the job training at college. This usually takes two to three years.

Getting On

• If you work in a small company you may have to move to get promotion. In a larger company you might go on to manage a team.
• You might be able to move into pre-press operating, machine printing or print administration.

Contacts

The following organisations may be able to provide further information.