Screen Printer Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Are you searching for a screen printer job description? Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a screen printer. Feel free to use our screen printer job description template to produce your own screen printer job description. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a screen printer.
Who is a Screen Printer?
A Screen Printer is an operator who manages screen printing. Another name for screen printing is serigraphy. It involves creating patterns for screen printing, setting up stencils, blending and loading screen ink, printing the final design, cleaning the printing press, identifying problems, and drying the finished printed products.
Your duties as a screen printer will be to print various objects, including paper, mugs, clothing, etc. Additionally, you are in charge of combining the inks to create the desired hue for printing. Additionally, you may be in charge of carrying out several administrative duties, including processing customer payments, maintaining records of work accomplished, and shipping ordered goods.
A screen printer needs to produce inventive and imaginative designs while considering the client’s needs. Additionally, you must regularly repair and service the printing device. Some of your daily chores include loading the screen for printing and printing the finished result. In addition, you ought to be handling technical issues as they arise. The finished product should be folded and packaged following the client’s instructions.
People who want to operate in the screen printing sector should possess abilities that make them suitable for the position. It is essential to have good hand-eye coordination, accurate color perception, and clear vision. Additionally, you must be able to handle and combine the chemicals necessary to make screen printing ink. Screen printing is best suited for those who like doing practical manual work because it is a skilled craft. Other crucial qualities are self-motivation, inventiveness, problem-solving abilities, organizational skills, and equipment knowledge.
You must be prepared to work long hours, possibly even on weekends, to succeed in this profession. You should have the strength to lift large objects. For accuracy, you should also possess exceptional artistic talent and an eye for detail.
You should possess several skills to become a screen printer including inventiveness, mechanical competence, and fine attention to detail. The screen printing job is required in several industries, including fashion/apparel, graphic design, advertising, and fine arts. Many screen printing machine operators also possess other skills, such as graphic or visual arts training, higher education in those fields, proficiency with digital design tools, and a knack for solving problems analytically. Additionally, be a skilled communicator, verbally and in writing.
Screen printers can profit from business networking. Gaining practical experience and training with an experienced expert is essential whether you wish to work independently or for a screen printing business. Working with or studying under a local expert in screen printing is one of the best methods to achieve this. Ask owners of nearby screen printing companies whether there are any opportunities to observe the artists at work or perhaps to do an apprenticeship there. It is a fantastic chance to learn more about the industry and experience screen printing firsthand.
The environments that screen printers work in are frequently dirty and noisy. They stand for extended amounts of time at work and may have to lift large goods. Screen printers must be able to follow directions and get along with others because they frequently operate in teams. To achieve production schedules, they must also be able to work fast and accurately. While some screen printers work in huge factories with little interaction from owners or managers, other screen printers may work in smaller shops with more interaction from these individuals. Although screen printers work regular hours, they occasionally have to put in extra time to fulfill production deadlines.
Screen Printer Job Description
What is a screen printer job description? A screen printer job description is simply a list of duties and responsibilities of a screen printer in an organization. Below are the screen printer job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a screen printer job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of a screen printer include the following:
- Apply emulsion to mesh cloth on a screen frame and expose it to light to prepare screens for printing.
- Address issues as they appear.
- Choose emulsion coatings, degreasing chemicals, and screen size.
- Combine dyes to produce customized colors for various tasks.
- Calibrate the printer before printing the batch.
- Receive screen printing work orders.
- Examine work orders to ascertain estimated ink and material requirements and printing times.
- Design screen patterns following client requirements.
- Load screens into the printer.
- Install and move pressure roles and screen printing plates.
- Run prints and conduct quality checks throughout the printing process.
- Stretch cloth over frames and fasten it with tension bars or clips to prepare screens for printing.
- Prepare ink for use in printing techniques like letterpress or screen printing.
- Observe safety protocols and use safety gear when handling potentially harmful substances like inks and dyes, such as masks, gloves, and safety goggles.
- Seal stencil openings with emulsion or an adhesive substance to prepare screens for printing.
Qualifications
- High school certificate
- An associate’s or bachelor’s degree in fine art, graphic design, or any other discipline. (Having a degree is optional)
- A certificate or diploma from an arts or design technical school
- Ability to use CorelDraw and Adobe Illustrator.
Essential Skills
Every career requires a set of skills to help navigate the job and also become successful in it. A screen printer may sound like a job that does not need a skillset, however, to stand out as one, you need to have these qualities. They are:
- Observation
Screen printers must pay close attention to detail to ensure their work is of the highest caliber. It is particularly crucial when printing photographs because any errors can be noticeable. When prepping their screens for printing, screen printers also need to pay close attention to the little things. This includes ensuring that the screen is spotless and clear of any debris that can impair the print quality.
- Computer proficiency
Computer proficiency is also crucial for screen printers. Screen printers use computers to input data, generate designs, and send files to printers. They also use them to administer their operations and keep track of their sales and inventories.
- Communication skill
Screen printers connect with clients, vendors, and other team members using their communication skills. Additionally, they communicate ideas and details about their designs and artwork using their communication skills. Screen printers must be proficient in written and oral communication to connect with clients and suppliers.
- Flexibility
Being flexible is having the capacity to change course when necessary. Because screen printing is unpredictable, screen printers frequently need to be adaptable. For instance, a screen printer may need to modify its procedure depending on the caliber of the artwork they get for great results.
- Mechanical aptitude
Screen printers use their mechanical aptitude to comprehend how to use and maintain the tools they use in their work. It involves knowing how to use and maintain a printing press and care for the screens. Screen printers also employ mechanical abilities to solve any equipment-related problem.
If screen printer has never really thought of themselves as the boss, the idea of managing an expanding crew can be scary. Regardless of your level of leadership ability, developing certain behaviors might help you become a more effective manager in your screen printing company.
- Goal-driven
The first step in leadership is vision. You can not move your company forward or manage a team if you do not have a goal.
This calls for you to know how you want your company to operate in a few months, a year, a few years, and beyond. Have specific objectives, and keep them in mind while you lead your team and make business decisions.
- Organization
A lot of information needs to be monitored when running a screen printing company, including payroll, schedules, inventory, customer orders, office supplies, monthly costs, and cash flow, so you should be disorganized. You must discover a system of organization that works for you to ensure nothing relevant is left out.
- Maximize your strengths
Knowing your strengths and shortcomings is one of the most crucial aspects. Create a business that plays to your strengths and looks for ways to make up for your limitations. Spend your attention on the aspects of the business that you are best at, whether it is soliciting sales from clients or experimenting with cutting-edge printing methods. Use technology or recruit staff to help you compensate for the areas of your business where you fail.
- Open to learning
Smart people are always open to getting better at what they do. You will get better at screen printing due to your growing skill set. Developing your marketing abilities can aid in expanding your network. Developing your printing abilities will assist your business offer fresh approaches to boost sales. By using software systems or building a new website that will give your company a more professional and up-to-date appearance, improving your tech abilities can help you streamline operations. In the end, it makes little difference how you choose to continue learning because any knowledge or skill you pick up will inevitably aid you in managing your firm.
- Zeal
When a person is enthusiastic about what they do, it is contagious. There was something about screen printing that you found appealing. Make the necessary efforts to maintain your passion. To prevent burnout, you might need to schedule breaks, spend extra time at the press or create artwork. Your co-workers will undoubtedly learn from you if you are passionate.
How to Become a Screen Printer
Although it is not necessary to have a formal degree to begin a career in screen printing, it can be beneficial. Aspiring screen printers can develop their artistic skills and launch careers by pursuing a career in an art-related field.
Here is a route you can take to become a screen printer:
Education
Although there is not a set degree that screen printers must possess, certain universities do offer degree programs in the field. Obtain a screen printing or related discipline diploma or certificate from an accredited institution.
A broad degree that can assist people in becoming screen printers is a degree in fine art. Aspiring artists can typically acquire the fundamentals of various art disciplines, such as painting and stencil making, with the aid of these broad art degrees. Even now, screen printing courses are available at many art institutions. For those interested in a career in screen printing, degrees in graphic design or art can also be informed.
Having a formal degree or certificate of formal training is not required, especially if you intend to launch your own business, but larger organizations may do so. If you decide to start your screen-printing company, having a solid foundation or a degree in graphic arts and design will be helpful. You may be able to save money by avoiding the need to hire more personnel until necessary.
Acquisition of skills and practice
Attending a school that offers practical instruction is the best approach to becoming a screen-printer. Although knowing terminology is crucial, you will be better at screen printing by mastering techniques and skills that you can only learn via practice. You will discover the leading art suites used in screen printing, including CorelDraw and Adobe Illustrator. The screen printer can use Adobe Illustrator to print computer-generated artwork on headwear, fabrics, and other apparel.
Apprenticeship
Request a screen-printing company apprenticeship. With the help of a skilled expert, you will have the chance to practice and advance your skill level. This level of work helps you become familiar with the various printing presses, dryers, and other equipment required to conduct a screen-printing operation.
Where to Work as a Screen Printer
Screen printers can work in several places like Fashion schools or stores, media firms, and art and design schools. They print logos and writings on surfaces like clothes, paper, fliers, etc.
They also work in brand and advertising agencies and printing presses, where they engage with lots of work due to the company’s nature.
Some are self-employed and have their brands and information online, where clients can contact them if they have a job for them.
Screen Printer Salary Scale
Screen printers’ annual salaries are from $27,560 to $61,200, based on their years of experience, region, talents, and other criteria. The average pay for a screen printer is $36,340 yearly.
The typical income for an entry-level screen printer (with 1-3 years of experience) in the United Kingdom is £25,200. On the other hand, the pay for a senior-level screen printing machine operator (5+ years of experience) is £42,820.