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Useful experience for print finishers includes:

• any experience in the printing trade, such as work as a bindery assistant
• operating machinery
• any type of craft work using hand tools
• work involving repair or restoration of items such as pictures or furniture.

Print finishers may do some or all of the following:

• check print finishing specifications such as size, shape and binding
• fold, perforate, glue and stack paper by machine and by hand
• set up and operate binding and finishing equipment, and paper guillotines
• operate equipment to insert printed material into newspapers, magazines and envelopes
• repair old or damaged books
• collate, stitch and bind products
• meet with clients to discuss their requirements.

Opportunities good for those wanting to take up a print finishing apprenticeship

Job opportunities for print finishers are good, with print finishing the second largest occupation in the print industry. 

A decline in printing over the last 10 years saw fewer people seeking apprenticeships in the field. However, demand for print finishers to work on packaging and signage, brochures, product labels for consumer goods, and personalised marketing campaigns and books, has risen.

As a result, opportunities are good for those wanting to do a print finishing apprenticeship, and demand is strong for qualified print finishers.

According to the Census, 669 print finishers worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Print finishing becoming more specialised

Print finishers' work has become more specialised because designers and marketers are requesting a growing range of finishing techniques such as embossing, foiling, folding and binding.

Range of skills increase chances of securing a print finishing apprenticeship

You can increase your chances of getting a print finishing apprenticeship by:

• showing an eye for detail
• being good at working with, and fixing machinery
• having good literacy and numeracy skills
• being good at solving problems
• having strong communication skills.

Types of employers varied

Print finishers may work for:

• commercial printing companies
• newspaper publishers
• small hand bookbinding and repair businesses
• specialist print finishing companies.

Competenz

0800 526 1800 - info@competenz.org.nz - www.competenz.org.nz

Print finishers may move into supervisory or management positions, or into other related occupations such as printer.

They may also specialise in bookbinding. Hand bookbinders usually work on smaller or specialty print runs (between one and 1,500 copies), while machine bookbinders work on larger commercial runs.

• Printer job information

Print finishers need to be:

• skilled at operating machines
• accurate, with an eye for detail
• good at solving problems
• good at communicating
• safety-conscious.