What are the responsibilities and job description for the Screen Print Technician position at Silk City Printing Inc?
Job Title: Screen Printing Press Operator
Position Title: Screen Printing Press Operator (Automatic & Manual)
Department: Production & Apparel Printing
Reporting to: Production Manager / Shop Supervisor
Employment Type: Full-Time
Position Overview
The Screen Printing Press Operator is responsible for the setup, operation, and maintenance of automatic and manual textile printing presses. This role manages the production process from pre-press through final cure, ensuring accurate registration, precise color matching, and consistent ink application across various substrates, including cotton, performance polyester, and heavyweight fleece. The operator is responsible for achieving daily production quotas while maintaining company-standard spoilage rates.
Key Responsibilities
Press Setup & Calibration
• Mount, align, and secure screens utilizing pneumatic clamps and optical micro-registration systems.
• Configure squeegees and flood bars by adjusting pressure, angle, stroke length, and speed relative to specific ink viscosities and garment materials.
• Calibrate flash units and cooling stations, optimizing dwell times to prevent thermal damage to heat-sensitive fabrics.
• Execute test prints to verify registration, opacity, and color accuracy against approved production proofs prior to full-scale operations.
Production Execution
• Operate and manage automatic textile printing equipment.
• Continuously monitor ink coverage throughout production, adjusting mechanical parameters to address ink shearing and fiber characteristics.
• Execute production on specialized substrates by applying low-cure inks, bleed-blockers, and poly-safe additives to mitigate dye migration.
• Manage workflow between pallet loading and dryer intake to optimize production efficiency and prevent bottlenecks.
Quality Control & Cure Verification
• Perform ongoing quality inspections to identify and rectify defects, including ink smudges, color drift, and misregistration.
• Ensure proper ink cross-linking by verifying dryer tunnel settings, belt speeds, and garment surface temperatures using precision thermal instrumentation.
• Conduct standardized stretch and adhesion testing at the dryer exit to ensure product durability.
• Maintain scrap and spoilage rates within the established threshold of under 1.5–2%.
Ink Handling & Pre-Press Coordination
• Prepare and adjust ink viscosity using appropriate thinners, bases, and activators based on mesh counts and fabric specifications.
• Coordinate the staging of screens, tools, and materials to minimize downtime between job changeovers.
Clean, card, and return ink to original containers; seal pinholes and sanitize screens using approved press-side cleaning agents.
Maintenance & Shop Safety
Execute daily startup and shutdown procedures, including platen maintenance, moisture trap inspections, and lubrication of pneumatic head tracks.
Maintain squeegee condition by inspecting edges and replacing or sharpening blades to ensure optimal performance.
Comply with all safety protocols regarding solvent handling, flash unit clearances, and emergency shut-off procedures; ensure consistent use of ventilation and PPE.
Required Qualifications & Experience
Experience: Minimum 2 years of professional experience operating commercial automatic textile screen printing presses.
Substrate Proficiency: Proven expertise in printing on flat knits and heavyweight fleece, with a strong understanding of underbase flashes, dye migration prevention, and adhesive selection.
Technical Setup: Demonstrated proficiency in micro-registering multi-color spot, simulated process, and index separation jobs (6–12 colors).
Ink Chemistry: Comprehensive knowledge of plastisol curing dynamics, viscosity adjustment, and appropriate temperature management for various ink formulations.
Physical Requirements: Ability to stand for 8–10 hour shifts, lift 40–50 lb loads, and operate in a high-temperature warehouse environment.
Preferred Qualifications
Familiarity with automated screen registration systems (e.g., Tri-Loc / M&R CTS or equivalent).
Experience with water-based and discharge ink systems, including mixing and post-print processes.
Position Title: Screen Printing Press Operator (Automatic & Manual)
Department: Production & Apparel Printing
Reporting to: Production Manager / Shop Supervisor
Employment Type: Full-Time
Position Overview
The Screen Printing Press Operator is responsible for the setup, operation, and maintenance of automatic and manual textile printing presses. This role manages the production process from pre-press through final cure, ensuring accurate registration, precise color matching, and consistent ink application across various substrates, including cotton, performance polyester, and heavyweight fleece. The operator is responsible for achieving daily production quotas while maintaining company-standard spoilage rates.
Key Responsibilities
Press Setup & Calibration
• Mount, align, and secure screens utilizing pneumatic clamps and optical micro-registration systems.
• Configure squeegees and flood bars by adjusting pressure, angle, stroke length, and speed relative to specific ink viscosities and garment materials.
• Calibrate flash units and cooling stations, optimizing dwell times to prevent thermal damage to heat-sensitive fabrics.
• Execute test prints to verify registration, opacity, and color accuracy against approved production proofs prior to full-scale operations.
Production Execution
• Operate and manage automatic textile printing equipment.
• Continuously monitor ink coverage throughout production, adjusting mechanical parameters to address ink shearing and fiber characteristics.
• Execute production on specialized substrates by applying low-cure inks, bleed-blockers, and poly-safe additives to mitigate dye migration.
• Manage workflow between pallet loading and dryer intake to optimize production efficiency and prevent bottlenecks.
Quality Control & Cure Verification
• Perform ongoing quality inspections to identify and rectify defects, including ink smudges, color drift, and misregistration.
• Ensure proper ink cross-linking by verifying dryer tunnel settings, belt speeds, and garment surface temperatures using precision thermal instrumentation.
• Conduct standardized stretch and adhesion testing at the dryer exit to ensure product durability.
• Maintain scrap and spoilage rates within the established threshold of under 1.5–2%.
Ink Handling & Pre-Press Coordination
• Prepare and adjust ink viscosity using appropriate thinners, bases, and activators based on mesh counts and fabric specifications.
• Coordinate the staging of screens, tools, and materials to minimize downtime between job changeovers.
Clean, card, and return ink to original containers; seal pinholes and sanitize screens using approved press-side cleaning agents.
Maintenance & Shop Safety
Execute daily startup and shutdown procedures, including platen maintenance, moisture trap inspections, and lubrication of pneumatic head tracks.
Maintain squeegee condition by inspecting edges and replacing or sharpening blades to ensure optimal performance.
Comply with all safety protocols regarding solvent handling, flash unit clearances, and emergency shut-off procedures; ensure consistent use of ventilation and PPE.
Required Qualifications & Experience
Experience: Minimum 2 years of professional experience operating commercial automatic textile screen printing presses.
Substrate Proficiency: Proven expertise in printing on flat knits and heavyweight fleece, with a strong understanding of underbase flashes, dye migration prevention, and adhesive selection.
Technical Setup: Demonstrated proficiency in micro-registering multi-color spot, simulated process, and index separation jobs (6–12 colors).
Ink Chemistry: Comprehensive knowledge of plastisol curing dynamics, viscosity adjustment, and appropriate temperature management for various ink formulations.
Physical Requirements: Ability to stand for 8–10 hour shifts, lift 40–50 lb loads, and operate in a high-temperature warehouse environment.
Preferred Qualifications
Familiarity with automated screen registration systems (e.g., Tri-Loc / M&R CTS or equivalent).
Experience with water-based and discharge ink systems, including mixing and post-print processes.