Company Description Windles Group || Certified B-Corp is a highly skilled and creative print house based in the Oxfordshire countryside, specializing in UV litho printing. The company focuses on greetings cards, luxury packaging, cartons, and rigid boxes, combining these products with advanced in-house techniques and finishes such as cold foil printing, hot foil, textured varnishes, neon inks, spot gloss varnish, embossing/debossing, die-cutting, and high-speed gluing. Windles Group also offers a fully digital support service and an in-house design studio, providing creative and technical input at every stage of a project. As a Certified B-Corp, the business is committed to responsible and sustainable practices, offering team members the opportunity to contribute to high-quality, innovative print solutions in an ethical environment.
Role Description This is a full-time, on-site Platen Operator role based in Thame. The Platen Operator is responsible for setting up, operating, and maintaining platen presses to produce high-quality printed materials, including greetings cards and packaging products. Day-to-day tasks include monitoring machine performance, adjusting settings for accurate cutting, creasing, embossing and debossing, and ensuring work meets quality and safety standards. The role involves working closely with production and design teams, interpreting job tickets and specifications, and performing routine checks to minimize downtime and waste. The Platen Operator will also help with basic troubleshooting, housekeeping around the machinery, and contributing to continuous improvement in print and finishing processes.
Qualifications
- Experience operating platen presses or similar print finishing equipment, with strong understanding of cutting, creasing, and embossing/debossing processes.
- Knowledge of print production workflows, including UV litho printing, die-cutting, and high-speed gluing in a commercial print environment.
- Ability to read and interpret job specifications, artwork layouts, and production instructions with strong attention to detail and accuracy.
- Awareness of health and safety practices in a print manufacturing setting, including safe machine operation and manual handling.
- Good problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify and resolve minor mechanical or quality issues on press.
- Effective communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to collaborate with production, design, and quality teams.
- Willingness to learn new techniques and finishes, and adapt to evolving technology and processes in a fast-paced environment.
- Previous experience in a print house or packaging manufacturer is advantageous; relevant vocational training or apprenticeship in print or manufacturing is beneficial.