Company Description

Avery Dennison (NYSE:AVY) is a global leader in labeling and packaging materials and solutions. The company’s applications and technologies are an integral part of products used in every major market and industry. With operations in more than 50 countries and more than 26,000 employees worldwide, Avery Dennison serves customers with insights and innovations that help make brands more inspiring and the world more intelligent. Headquartered in Pasadena, California, the company reported sales from continuing operations of $6 billion in 2012. Learn more at www.averydennison.com

Job Description

ABOUT YOUR ROLE:

The Offset Printing Technician is a skilled professional responsible for setting up, operating, and maintaining offset printing presses to produce high-quality printed materials. This role requires a strong understanding of printing processes, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to troubleshoot and resolve mechanical and quality issues. The technician also plays a crucial role in the pre-press phase, collaborating to ensure print-readiness, and may be involved in item development aspects to optimize designs for efficient and high-quality printing. They work closely with prepress and finishing departments to ensure seamless workflow and timely delivery of printed products.

Job Description

We are looking for an Offset Printing Technician to join the Sri Lanka, Biyagama site within Avery Dennison. 

Key Responsibilities:

Press Setup and Operation:

Review job tickets and specifications to determine printing requirements (quantities, paper stock, ink colors, special instructions).

Prepare and mount printing plates and masters onto the press.

Mix and adjust inks to achieve specified colors, ensuring accurate color matching and consistency throughout the print run.

Load paper stock into the press, adjusting feed and tension controls.

Set up and operate offset printing presses for single and multi-color jobs.

Calibrate press settings for different print jobs, including ink flow, water balance, and registration.

Pre-Press Involvement:

Collaborate with the prepress department to review and approve digital files for print readiness.

Identify potential issues with artwork, color profiles, fonts, or resolution that could impact print quality or production efficiency.

Provide feedback to prepress and design teams regarding optimal file preparation for offset printing, including considerations for trapping, imposition, and color separation.

Assist in plate making processes or provide insights for plate quality control as needed.

Item Development Input:

Provide technical expertise and practical insights during the design and development phases of new printed items.

Advise on material selection (paper, board, special substrates), print finishes (varnishes, coatings, laminations), and structural design to ensure feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and optimal print quality.

Offer recommendations to designers and clients on how to best achieve desired visual effects while adhering to offset printing capabilities and limitations.

Participate in prototype review and provide feedback from a production standpoint.

Quality Control:

Monitor print quality throughout the production process, making necessary adjustments to maintain color accuracy, registration, and overall print clarity.

Conduct pre-production tests and pull proofs to check for ink coverage, density, alignment, and registration.

Inspect printed materials for defects, ensuring all output meets client and company quality standards.

Maintenance and Troubleshooting:

Perform routine cleaning and preventative maintenance on offset printing presses and associated equipment.

Troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair minor mechanical and printing malfunctions.

Arrange for vendor service for preventative maintenance or major repairs when necessary.

Clean ink fountains, plates, and printing unit cylinders after press runs.

Workflow and Documentation:

Collaborate with design, prepress, and finishing teams to ensure project specifications and deadlines are met.

Maintain accurate production records, logs, and time sheets, documenting materials used and job progress.

Monitor inventory levels of printing supplies (ink, paper, plates) and order or request additional supplies as needed.

Safety and Compliance:

Adhere to all safety protocols and procedures in the printing environment, including proper use of PPE.

Ensure compliance with quality standards and company policies.

 

Qualifications

Education & Training:

Successful completion of G.C.E. Ordinary Level (O/L) or Advanced Level (A/L) examinations.

Mandatory: A recognized Diploma or Certificate in Printing Technology, Graphic Arts, or a related field from a reputable vocational training institute in Sri Lanka.

Desirable: Further qualifications or a degree in Printing Technology or a related engineering discipline.

Experience:

Minimum of 5-7 years of hands-on experience operating multi-color offset printing presses in a commercial printing environment.

Proven track record of maintaining high-quality print production.

Experience with various types of printing machinery or bindery equipment will be an added advantage.

Technical Skills & Knowledge:

In-depth understanding of offset printing processes, including plate preparation, ink mixing, paper handling, and press calibration.

Proficiency in color theory, color management principles, and accurate color matching using industry standards (e.g., GRACoL) and tools like spectrophotometers and densitometers.

Strong understanding of prepress workflows, including imposition, trapping, and bleed.

Advanced ability to handle print-ready digital files in various formats (e.g., PDF/X standards, TIFF, EPS, AI, PSD), ensuring correct resolution, color modes (CMYK, Spot Colors), and font embedding.

Familiarity with preflighting software (e.g., Adobe Acrobat Pro's Preflight) and experience with printing software commonly used in printing houses.

Excellent mechanical aptitude for setting up, adjusting, and performing routine maintenance on printing presses.

Proven troubleshooting skills to diagnose and resolve common mechanical and print quality issues efficiently.

General Skills:

Exceptional attention to detail and a commitment to producing high-quality work.

Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities under pressure.

Effective communication skills, both verbal and written, for collaboration with internal and global teams and understanding job specifications.

Ability to work independently and as a collaborative team member.

Basic computer literacy for production tracking and record-keeping.

Work Environment:

Flexibility to work various shifts, including nights, weekends, and overtime, as required by production schedules.

Additional Information

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion,
sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or other
protected status. EEOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO
guidelines.

We invite Diversity candidates to join Certified "Great Place To Work Team".