Press Operator Assistant (STP)
STARPAK LLC · Houston, TX 77041
The Assistant Operators support the operation of printing presses by assisting with setup, material handling, quality checks, and maintaining efficient and safe production. This role requires a strong technical understanding of web handling systems, including unwind/rewind operations, splicing, cleaning systems, and waste management, to ensure consistent print quality and minimal downtime.
DESCRIPTION
Key Responsibilities:
Understand and use basic PPE safety procedures and their implements to eliminate any risk of accident.
- Safety Glasses
- Steel Shoes
- Hair net
- Ink room face shield
As a Press Operator Assistant, you will receive hands-on training to develop the skills necessary to operate flexographic printing equipment specifically Vistaflex and Miraflex presses in a safe, clean, and quality-driven environment. Your responsibilities will include the following:
1. Training & Compliance
- Learn and apply FSSC (Food Safety Certification Scheme) protocols as instructed during the initial training phase. This includes hygiene practices such as the use of beard nets.
- Follow all safety and operational guidelines from day one to ensure a secure working environment.
2. Housekeeping & Maintenance
- Establish and maintain a cleaning routine around the press to promote safety, orderliness, and efficient operations.
- Perform regular housekeeping duties in your assigned area, ensuring the machine and surroundings remain free of clutter or hazards.
3. Technical Understanding & Machine Operation
- Knowledge of how to operate unwind and rewind systems to ensure proper web handling.
- Verify:
- Proper roll alignment and centering.
- Core and roll condition before mounting.
- Build foundational knowledge of how internal machine factors and external suppliers affect print quality.
- Gain proficiency in using inspection systems, such as BST and AVT, to monitor and ensure consistent output quality.
- Acquire knowledge on how to operate the ink system.
- Perform or assist with manual and/or automatic splicing of substrate rolls.
- Ensure:
- Proper splice alignment.
- Secure adhesion of splice tape.
- Smooth transition to avoid press stoppages or defects.
- Inspect splices during operation to confirm integrity.
- Operate the TurboClean system for ink chambers and anilox rolls.
- Ensure proper:
- Setup of cleaning cycles.
- Handling of cleaning solutions and chemicals.
- Assist in manual cleaning when required (Doctor blades, ink pans, chambers).
4. Production & Quality Control
- Assist in the successful completion of print jobs with minimal defects by inspecting the printed rolls coming out of the press.
- Monitor ink viscosities and make corrections when the viscosities are out of tolerance.
- Learn to operate within the Radius system, managing job requirements and accurately applying system codes for each process.
- Report any issues—whether related to rolls (wrinkles, profile, core damage or misalignment, hardness, etc.), inks, machinery, or electrical systems—to the Shift Supervisor, Operations Manager, or other relevant personnel.
- Material Handling and Inspection:
- Load/unload rolls using appropriate equipment (roll manipulator, pallet jack).
- Stage materials to support efficient production flow.
- Waste Handling and Disposal:
- Collect, segregate, and dispose of production waste (scrap, ink waste) according to company and environmental guidelines.
- Stage materials to support efficient production flow.
- Ensure proper labeling and handling of:
- Hazardous waste (inks, solvents, cleaning agents).
- Non-hazardous scrap materials.
- Maintain clean work areas to support safety and efficiency.
Professional Development
- Cultivate a quality-oriented mindset, consistently seeking excellence in execution and continuous self-improvement.
- Demonstrate initiative in problem-solving, self-evaluation, and long-term growth within the company.
TECHNICAL ASPECTS
- Use the appropriate PPE for each activity or function.
- Understand the JobPack according to the press process.
- Understand the system operation for the press where your training begins.
- Understand and know how to control process variables related to viscosity, and ink temperatures.
- Understand the difference and purpose of Stickyback (1320, 1520, 1720) when printing.
- Understand how the Anilox works and identify the different types of Anilox used in the Press department.
- Periodically check the proper functioning of the press.
- Recognize types of print errors and communicate them to the operator.
- Verify the following at the beginning of each job:
- Film
- Ink/Viscosity
- Wind
- Plates
- Anilox
- Attach the labels to the rolls.
- Understand the procedure for ColorCert.
- Assist operator to change blades when the print quality or footage run determines it.
- Inspect the quality of each roll using a printed sample.
- Have the next job materials (inks, rolls) prepared in advance and be alerted to ensure everything is ready when the current one finishes.
SECONDARY ASPECTS
- Communicate with the team about the day's activities and sequences.
- Keep the work area clear.
- Clean the machine periodically.
- Collaborate with the administrative staff:
- Tests
- New procedures
- Provide information
- Point Lessons
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Ability to lift, push, or pull up to 50 pounds regularly.
- Frequent standing, walking, bending, and operating equipment.
- Tolerance for working in varying environmental conditions (e.g., hot, cold, noisy)
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Mandatory use of personal protective equipment (PPE)