Sreen Printing Operator

OverviewServes as the primary technical subject matter expert for industrial screen printing operations, specializing in press setup, screen exposure, precise color matching, and advanced manual/automated press troubleshooting. Ensures optimal equipment performance, strict print and color quality standards, minimal scrap rates, and high-volume daily manufacturing output.

Description

About the Role: Screen Printing Operators are essential technical anchors of our Louisville manufacturing facility’s print department. Working directly on the plant floor, you will be responsible for leading specialized screen printing operations on manual and automated presses, preparing and reclaiming screens, mixing inks to match strict color standards, and executing preventive maintenance protocols. You will also assist in maintaining standard operating procedures and machine best practices to maximize uptime, print registration accuracy, and overall shift efficiency.

Key Responsibilities:

Required Qualifications & Technical Experience:

• Direct Experience: Minimum 1–3 years of hands-on screen printing experience in a commercial or industrial manufacturing environment (experience printing on metal or rigid substrates preferred).
• Technical Knowledge: Strong mechanical aptitude and deep operational understanding of mesh counts, squeegee durometers, ink chemistry (UV, solvent, or water-based), emulsion application, and exposure timing.
• Quality Focus: Sharp eye for visual detail, precise color acuity, and a proven ability to maintain print registration and alignment under fast-paced manufacturing timelines.

Essential Job Functions & Duty Disclosure:

• Physical Demands: Constant standing, walking, bending, stooping, and repetitive hand/wrist movements throughout an 8- to 12-hour shift. Must be able to regularly lift, push, pull, and carry up to 40 lbs.
• Work Environment: Active manufacturing environment with exposure to industrial printing presses, UV/solvent inks, chemical cleaning agents, moving mechanical components, and moderate noise. Required PPE includes safety glasses and non-slip, closed-toe shoes.

Duties Disclaimer: This job description outlines primary duties and responsibilities but is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice to support manufacturing demands.

• Press Operations & Setup: Set up, calibrate, and operate manual and automated screen printing presses, exposure units, squeegees, and curing ovens to execute high-volume daily production runs according to schedule and specifications.
• Technical Quality & Color Management: Prepare, mix, and test inks to match exact color swatches and viscosity standards; perform continuous visual inspections for misregistration, ink coverage, smudges, and color consistency across all metal substrates.
• Troubleshooting & Maintenance: Diagnose and resolve screen printing defects, including mesh clogging, bleeding, pinholes, and uneven ink deposit; perform routine cleaning, screen reclamation, and preventive maintenance on printing equipment.
• Waste & Scrap Reduction: Monitor ink, mesh, emulsion, and substrate usage to actively reduce material scrap, minimize reprints, and track daily shift output metrics for department leadership.
• Station Safety & 5S: Maintain a clean, safe, and highly organized workstation utilizing 5S/6S principles; safely manage cleaning solvents, chemicals, and inks in full compliance with plant safety guidelines.