Print and Printed Packaging

This Apprenticeship covers a range of occupations in the print and printed packaging industry. This industry is an essential part of the UK’s economy, operating at all hours in both huge factories and small outfits, pushing enormous volumes of material out into the world.

The print process needs people with knowledge of design, inks, paper, and the printing presses themselves; as well as people to oversee the whole process, check quality, deal with customers and make sure that weekly magazines go to the newsagents on time – or that the box your iPod comes in is printed in the right colours, the right way up.

Since many things are printed by the million, it's essential that work is produced accurately and reliably.

As an apprentice, you could find yourself working on the machines printing paper, envelopes, or anything else you can think of with print on it; you could be learning about how to bind books or make magazines look shiny; or you could be in a design studio, creating images that will eventually be printed.

Whatever path you follow, you’ll be part of a fast moving industry!