DesignISCO 7322
Screen printer
Screen printers tend a press that presses ink through a screen. They are responsible for the setup, operation and maintenance of the screen printing machine.
Check yourself in a minute: screen printer
Rate 5 of the 19 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
troubleshoot
perform test run
operate screen printing press
monitor automated machines
clean equipment
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (19)
screen printing inksscreen printing inksVarious types of screen ink, such as solvent, water, water plastisol, and UV curable ink solutions.printing on large scale machinesprinting on large scale machinesMethods, processes, and restrictions related to printing on machines that produce large quantities and sizes of graphic print materials.printing techniquesprinting techniquesThe techniques and processes to reproduce text and images using a master form or template such as letterpress printing, gravure, and laser printing.screen printing processscreen printing processThis consists of preparing the screen or image carrier, squeegee, and the ink. During this process, ink is pressed through a screen on a certain surface.quality standardsquality standardsThe national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.troubleshoottroubleshootIdentify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.perform test runperform test runPerform tests putting a system, machine, tool or other equipment through a series of actions under actual operating conditions in order to assess its reliability and suitability to realise its tasks, ...operate screen printing pressoperate screen printing pressOperate a screen printing press to fabricate multiple copies of the designed screen, increasing production significantly.monitor automated machinesmonitor automated machinesContinuously check up on the automated machine's set-up and execution or make regular control rounds. If necessary, record and interpret data on the operating conditions of installations and equipment...clean equipmentclean equipmentPerform cleaning routines after equipment use.follow safety precautions in printingfollow safety precautions in printingApply safety and health principles, policies and institutional regulations of working in printing production. Protect oneself and others against such hazards as chemicals used in printing, invasive al...supply machinesupply machineEnsure the machine is fed the necessary and adequate materials and control the placement or automatic feed and retrieval of work pieces in the machines or machine tools on the production line.prepare screen printingprepare screen printingPrepare a screen for printing by applying the photo emulsion technique, where an original image is created on an overlay and the inked areas are not transparent. Select a screen, coat it with a certai...prepare printing formprepare printing formPrepare and inspect plates that are used in printing process to transfer ink on the desired surface and place them in the machines, for example fixing them around printing rollers.follow production schedulefollow production scheduleFollow production schedule taking into account all requirements, times and needs. This schedule outlines what individual commodities must be produced in each time period and encapsulates various conce...determine colour shadesdetermine colour shadesDetermine and use the correct colour to be applied to a surface, according to requirements, by using instruments and software.adjust drying process to goodsadjust drying process to goodsAdjust machine settings to adapt drying processes, drying times, and special treatments to the requirements of the goods to be dried.set up the controller of a machineset up the controller of a machineSet up and give commands to a machine by dispatching the appropriate data and input into the (computer) controller corresponding with the desired processed product.use doctor bladeuse doctor bladeUse a doctor blade to remove excess ink during printing and coating processes.
Optional (19) — show
polygraphypolygraphyProduction branch that handles reproduction of text and images by printing.screen printing machinesscreen printing machinesThe different types of screen printing presses such as the cylinder press, the flat-bed press, and most importantly the rotary press.types of papertypes of paperThe different criteria used to determine differences in paper types such as coarseness and thickness, and the different fabrication methods and wood types from which the types of paper stem.printing mediaprinting mediaSpecific techniques related to various printing surfaces such plastics, metal, glass, textiles, wood, and paper.printed goods processesprinted goods processesThe various types and characteristics of producing printed goods such as catalogues, flyers, etc.maintenance of printing machinesmaintenance of printing machinesUpkeep procedures and technical working of machines that produce printed graphical material.communicate with customerscommunicate with customersRespond to and communicate with customers in the most efficient and appropriate manner to enable them to access the desired products or services, or any other help they may require.record production data for quality controlrecord production data for quality controlKeep records of the machine's faults, interventions and irregularities for quality control.monitor stock levelmonitor stock levelEvaluate how much stock is used and determine what should be ordered.verify feasibilityverify feasibilityInterpret an artistic plan and verify whether the described design can be executed.wear appropriate protective gearwear appropriate protective gearWear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.monitor conveyor beltmonitor conveyor beltMonitor the flow of the work pieces on the conveyor belt as they are processed by the machine to ensure optimal productivity.perform machine maintenanceperform machine maintenancePerform regular maintenance, possibly including corrections and alterations, on a machine or machine tool to ensure it remains in a proper productive state.inspect printing outputinspect printing outputVerify that the printing output is satisfactory using various methods such as visual verification, use of spectrophotometers or densitometers. The problems that might occur include misregisters or col...consult technical resourcesconsult technical resourcesRead and interpret technical resources such as digital or paper drawings and adjustment data in order to properly set up a machine or working tool, or to assemble mechanical equipment.report defective manufacturing materialsreport defective manufacturing materialsMaintain required company records and forms in order to report any defective materials or questionable conditions of manufacturing machinery and equipment.check quality of raw materialscheck quality of raw materialsCheck the quality of basic materials used for the production of semi-finished and finished goods by assessing some of its characteristics and, if needed, select samples to be analysed.use colour printing programsuse colour printing programsUse colour printing programs, such as the CMYK colour (ink) model for various pressing machines.keep records of work progresskeep records of work progressMaintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
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Frequently asked questions
What does a screen printer do?
Screen printers tend a press that presses ink through a screen. They are responsible for the setup, operation and maintenance of the screen printing machine.
What skills does a screen printer need?
A screen printer needs 19 essential skills, including screen printing inks, printing on large scale machines, printing techniques, screen printing process, quality standards.
Will AI replace screen printer jobs?
The AI disruption score for screen printer is 55/100 (high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: record production data for quality control, monitor stock level, quality standards. Most resilient: wear appropriate protective gear, screen printing inks, follow safety precautions in printing.
AI Replacement Risk
55/ 100
High Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Skills most at risk from AI
Skills resilient to automation
This is the average for the whole occupation. The AI Career Shield test (about 10 minutes) shows the risk in your own work and what you can do about it.
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