Offset Printing Machine Operator – Metal Packaging

Production / Printing

Job Purpose To operate and maintain offset printing machines used for printing on tinplate/metal sheets for metal packaging, ensuring accurate colour, print quality, registration, productivity, and compliance with quality and safety standards.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

- Operate sheet-fed offset printing machines for printing on tinplate/metal sheets.
- Set up the printing machine according to approved job cards, artwork, colour specifications, and production schedules.
- Carry out plate mounting, blanket setting, ink setting, and machine adjustments.
- Maintain correct colour shade, density, print registration, and image quality.
- Check printed sheets for:
- Colour variation
- Mis-registration
- Scumming
- Set-off
- Scratches and marks
- Pinholes
- Ink smudging
- Printing defects
- Ensure proper ink, varnish, coating, and solvent usage as per process requirements.
- Monitor ink and dampening systems during production.
- Conduct first-piece/sample approval before starting bulk production.
- Make necessary machine adjustments based on QC inspection and approved samples.
- Maintain required production output while minimizing wastage and rejection.
- Ensure proper handling and stacking of printed metal sheets to prevent scratches, dents, and surface damage.
- Follow approved SOPs, work instructions, quality standards, and production procedures.
- Maintain proper machine housekeeping and follow 5S practices.
- Perform routine cleaning, lubrication, and basic preventive maintenance of the printing machine.
- Report machine abnormalities, breakdowns, and maintenance requirements to the concerned supervisor/maintenance team.
- Maintain production records, rejection records, downtime records,



and other required documentation.
- Coordinate with Production, QC, Maintenance, Pre-Press, and Stores departments.
- Ensure correct job/changeover settings and prevent mix-up of artwork, plates, inks, and materials.
- Follow all required PPE, safety, chemical-handling, and fire-safety procedures.
- Ensure defective or rejected sheets are properly identified and segregated.
- Support continuous improvement activities for productivity, quality, wastage reduction, and machine efficiency.

Specific Skills Required
- Hands-on experience in offset printing on tinplate/metal sheets.
- Knowledge of sheet-fed offset printing process.
- Knowledge of colour matching and registration control.
- Understanding of CMYK and spot colours.
- Knowledge of inks, varnishes, coatings, solvents, plates, and blankets.
- Ability to identify and correct common printing defects.
- Basic knowledge of machine troubleshooting.
- Knowledge of production and quality documentation.
- Positive understanding of 5S, GMP/food packaging hygiene, and workplace safety.

Educational Qualification ITI / Diploma / equivalent qualification in Printing Technology or a related field is preferred.

Experience

2–10 years of relevant experience in offset printing, preferably in metal packaging, tinplate printing, metal can, or sheet-fed printing industries.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

- Printing quality and rejection percentage
- Production output
- Machine utilization
- Material/ink wastage
- Colour and registration accuracy
- Machine downtime
- Changeover time
- On-time completion of production orders
- Compliance with safety, quality, and 5S requirements

Pay: ₹20,000.00 - ₹30,000.00 per month

Benefits

- Provident Fund

Work Location: In person

📌 OFFSET PRINTING (Udupi)
🏢 GPPL
📍 Udupi