Screen printers set up and operate power-driven or hand-operated screen
printing machines to create images.
How much can I expect to earn?
Full-time employed Screen Printer earn an average of $939 per week. The
[average annual salary for this job is $48828 excluding super.]
Personal requirements
enjoy practical and manual activities
good eyesight (may be corrected) with normal colour vision
good hand-eye coordination
creativity
self-motivated
good problem-solving skills.
This job also involves:
Good vision for detail
These jobs require you to be able to see clearly to examine items close-up. It
covers jobs where poor vision e.g. tunnel vision, could make the work place
unsafe or the job difficult to undertake, e.g. draftsperson working with
detailed drawings; checkout operator reading dockets; work requiring good
hand-eye co-ordination for working with precision or semi-precision tools.
Handling chemicals/greasy items
These jobs involve the daily handling of substances which may cause irritation
to skin, eyes, etc., and may aggravate dermatitis or other medical conditions.
Mainly indoor work
Workers performing these jobs would usually be expected to spend more than
three-quarters of their day indoors, in an office, factory or other enclosed
area protected from the weather.
Reading or writing
These jobs require moderate or better reading and writing skills. Workers may
be expected to prepare, understand or act on written materials, such as
letters or reports. People may wish to avoid these jobs if their reading or
writing English skills are limited to a small range of words or phrases and
symbols. Jobs remaining may still require very basic reading or writing
skills.
This occupation offers jobs at the following skill levels:
Semi-skilled Jobs
These jobs generally require no specific education for entry. Practical skills
are often more important than level of education. Certificate I or II training
is available for some jobs.
Skilled Trade Jobs
These jobs do not usually require completion of secondary education, however
further part-time study usually at Certificate III level, and on-the-job
training offered as an apprenticeship, is required.
Study requirements
At school, you can study these subject(s) to get a good foundation for this
occupation:
Art
School subjects that include some aspect of ART provide a useful background to
these jobs. In some cases an art-related subject is a pre-requisite for entry
to courses that provide the training for the job.
Home Economics
School subjects that include some aspect of HOME ECONOMICS provide a useful
background to these jobs. In some cases a home economics-related subject is a
pre-requisite for entry to courses that provide the training for the job.
Duties and tasks of a Screen Printer
Screen printers may perform the following tasks:
prepare stencils to be printed by handcutting, photographic or electronic methods
choose, mix and match coloured inks and load ink into printing machines
load paper, fabric, plastic or other material onto printing machines, making sure that objects to be printed are lined up correctly and, if there is more than one colour, that the colours are properly aligned
control machines and check the quality of printing
keep records of work completed
put the stencils onto a mesh fabric-printing screen and operate the printing machine, then dry the printed items by loading them into drying racks or dryers using hot air or ultraviolet light
unload printed items from drying racks and stack them
remove waste, clean and maintain machines, and maintain and care for equipment including cameras and lenses, screens, stops and filters.