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Sector : 13 - Communications and Documentation

8728 Sheet-Fed Offset Printing Press Assistant

M728

Field of application	Sheet-fed offset printing press assistants work in printing facilities that produce magazines, books, catalogues, brochures, calendars, agendas, etc. The printed products are created using a manual or digital sheet-fed offset printing press with at least four printing units. A press operator does not need assistance to make-ready and operate sheet-fed offset presses with less than four printing units or offset duplicators. Different kinds of paper or cardboard can be used for printing.
Other job titles	Second press operator, feeder, press paper feeder

Field of application

Sheet-fed offset printing press assistants work in printing facilities that produce magazines, books, catalogues, brochures, calendars, agendas, etc. The printed products are created using a manual or digital sheet-fed offset printing press with at least four printing units. A press operator does not need assistance to make-ready and operate sheet-fed offset presses with less than four printing units or offset duplicators. Different kinds of paper or cardboard can be used for printing.

Other job titles

Second press operator, feeder, press paper feeder

822801 - Assist the press operator in the make-ready operation for a manual or digital sheet-fed offset printing press	Add to my plan	2
Performance criteria Observance of occupational health and safety rules Compliance with work instructions Compliance with quality standards staying within the limits of the occupation Proper application of work techniques Proper use of tools and equipment Close collaboration with team members Correct handling of paper Concern for company profitability Tasks Receive instructions from the press operator. Ensure that there are sufficient boxes of paper. Transport boxes of paper, ink cartridges, fountain solution, etc., and place them near the press. Cut the paper, when needed. Place paper in the press paper feeder. Make various adjustments to the feeding system (feeding tray, feedboard, delivery table, etc.). When requested by the press operator, help set up the plates, blankets, etc. When requested by the press operator, ensure the availability of raw materials (fill the ink cartridges up to the required levels while taking into account the colour sequences, and add fountain solution). When requested by the press operator, make various adjustments. Detect any problems and inform the press operator.

822801 - Assist the press operator in the make-ready operation for a manual or digital sheet-fed offset printing press

Performance criteria

Observance of occupational health and safety rules
Compliance with work instructions
Compliance with quality standards
staying within the limits of the occupation
Proper application of work techniques
Proper use of tools and equipment
Close collaboration with team members
Correct handling of paper
Concern for company profitability

Tasks

Receive instructions from the press operator.
Ensure that there are sufficient boxes of paper.
Transport boxes of paper, ink cartridges, fountain solution, etc., and place them near the press.
Cut the paper, when needed.
Place paper in the press paper feeder.
Make various adjustments to the feeding system (feeding tray, feedboard, delivery table, etc.).
When requested by the press operator, help set up the plates, blankets, etc.
When requested by the press operator, ensure the availability of raw materials (fill the ink cartridges up to the required levels while taking into account the colour sequences, and add fountain solution).
When requested by the press operator, make various adjustments.
Detect any problems and inform the press operator.

822802 - Assist the press operator in producing a proof and conducting a print run on a manual or digital sheet-fed offset printing press	Add to my plan	2
Performance criteria Observance of occupational health and safety rules Compliance with work instructions Compliance with quality standards staying within the limits of the occupation Observance of production deadlines Proper application of work techniques Close collaboration with team members Concern for the quality of the job and reduction of the amount of waste Concern for using materials sparingly Demonstration of a keen sense of observation Patience and sustained focus Tasks Receive instructions from the press operator. Supply the feeder. Monitor the operation of the feeding system. Detect problems relating to the nonconformance of paper or cardboard (creasing, ripping, etc.) and immediately inform the press operator. When requested by the press operator, make various adjustments.

822802 - Assist the press operator in producing a proof and conducting a print run on a manual or digital sheet-fed offset printing press

Performance criteria

Observance of occupational health and safety rules
Compliance with work instructions
Compliance with quality standards
staying within the limits of the occupation
Observance of production deadlines
Proper application of work techniques
Close collaboration with team members
Concern for the quality of the job and reduction of the amount of waste
Concern for using materials sparingly
Demonstration of a keen sense of observation
Patience and sustained focus

Tasks

Receive instructions from the press operator.
Supply the feeder.
Monitor the operation of the feeding system.
Detect problems relating to the nonconformance of paper or cardboard (creasing, ripping, etc.) and immediately inform the press operator.
When requested by the press operator, make various adjustments.

822803 - Stack the products	Add to my plan	2
Performance criteria Observance of occupational health and safety rules Compliance with work instructions Proper application of work techniques Squared piles Tasks Remove the printed products from the press. Stack the printed products onto pallets. Detect any problems and inform the person in charge.

822803 - Stack the products

Performance criteria

Observance of occupational health and safety rules
Compliance with work instructions
Proper application of work techniques
Squared piles

Tasks

Remove the printed products from the press.
Stack the printed products onto pallets.
Detect any problems and inform the person in charge.

526 - Package the printed products	Add to my plan	1
Performance criteria Observance of occupational health and safety rules Compliance with work instructions Proper application of work techniques Correct handling of products Tasks Count or weigh the products to ensure quantity control. Place the printed products in boxes. Stack the boxes on pallets. Operate the packaging equipment. Print the labels. Affix the labels on the packages. Fill out the administrative forms and send them to the appropriate department or person.

526 - Package the printed products

Performance criteria

Observance of occupational health and safety rules
Compliance with work instructions
Proper application of work techniques
Correct handling of products

Tasks

Count or weigh the products to ensure quantity control.
Place the printed products in boxes.
Stack the boxes on pallets.
Operate the packaging equipment.
Print the labels.
Affix the labels on the packages.
Fill out the administrative forms and send them to the appropriate department or person.

822804 - Assist the press operator in maintaining the sheet-fed offset printing press	Add to my plan	2
Performance criteria Observance of occupational health and safety rules Observance of environmental laws and regulations Compliance with work instructions Observance of manufacturer’s specifications staying within the limits of the occupation Proper application of work techniques Proper use of equipment and cleaning products Cleanliness of the press Tasks Verify and maintain the feeding system: clean the safety guards, lubricate the components, etc. Wash the dampening system: drain and rinse the pans of acid solution. Wash the ink supply system: drain and wash the cartridges. Wash the printing system: clean the blankets and other accessories. Inform the press operator or maintenance workers of any breakage.

822804 - Assist the press operator in maintaining the sheet-fed offset printing press

Performance criteria

Observance of occupational health and safety rules
Observance of environmental laws and regulations
Compliance with work instructions
Observance of manufacturer’s specifications
staying within the limits of the occupation
Proper application of work techniques
Proper use of equipment and cleaning products
Cleanliness of the press

Tasks

Verify and maintain the feeding system: clean the safety guards, lubricate the components, etc.
Wash the dampening system: drain and rinse the pans of acid solution.
Wash the ink supply system: drain and wash the cartridges.
Wash the printing system: clean the blankets and other accessories.
Inform the press operator or maintenance workers of any breakage.

527 - Help maintain the work area	Add to my plan	1
Performance criteria Observance of occupational health and safety rules Observance of environmental laws and regulations Compliance with work instructions Observance of maintenance schedule Proper application of work techniques Compliance with storage plan Concern for using materials sparingly Tasks Clean the press accessories and put them away. Clean the tools and put them away. Put away the raw materials and cleaners. Salvage scrap materials for recycling and dispose of waste (rags, garbage, etc.). Clean and sweep the work area.

527 - Help maintain the work area

Performance criteria

Observance of occupational health and safety rules
Observance of environmental laws and regulations
Compliance with work instructions
Observance of maintenance schedule
Proper application of work techniques
Compliance with storage plan
Concern for using materials sparingly

Tasks

Clean the press accessories and put them away.
Clean the tools and put them away.
Put away the raw materials and cleaners.
Salvage scrap materials for recycling and dispose of waste (rags, garbage, etc.).
Clean and sweep the work area.

Optional competency or task. Competencies or tasks marked with this symbol are not required in all workplaces. They could be included in a student’s training plan if the practicum setting offers the opportunity for the student to apply them.