About the Role
Lorpon Labels is looking for a reliable, hands-on Flexographic Ink & Setup Technician to support our narrow-web flexographic pressroom. This position prepares complete jobs before they reach the press, including matching and supplying UV and water-based inks, confirming anilox requirements, mounting plates, and assembling the cylinders, dies, tooling and approved colour standards required for production. After each run, the technician returns, cleans, organizes and records inks and pressroom assets so the next setup can move quickly and accurately. The right person takes pride in consistent colour, organized job preparation, clean work areas and dependable day-to-day support for the production team.
Key Responsibilities
Job Review, Ink Preparation & Colour Management
- Review job tickets and production specifications before beginning each setup.
- Obtain ink formulas, anilox specifications and setup details from job tickets, historical production data and approved standards.
- Mix, tone and adjust UV and water-based flexographic inks to approved customer colour standards.
- Use spectrophotometers, densitometers and colour-formulation software to support accurate, repeatable colour matching.
- Prepare, identify and archive approved colour drawdowns, retained production samples and colour standards for repeat orders.
Job Carts, Plate Mounting & Press Setup
- Create a complete job cart for each scheduled flexographic job, including matched inks, mounted plates, print cylinders, dies, anilox rolls, tooling and approved standards.
- Mount flexographic printing plates accurately using the J.M. Heaford plate mounter.
- Select and apply the correct plate-mounting tape based on job requirements.
- Verify copy position, unwind direction, plate orientation and registration requirements against the production ticket.
- Inspect plates, print cylinders, dies, anilox rolls and related tooling for cleanliness, damage or wear before release to the pressroom.
- Coordinate with press operators and production personnel so jobs are complete, accurate and ready for efficient changeovers.
Post-Production Breakdown, Cleaning & Asset Control
- Receive returned job carts and account for all inks, plates, print cylinders, dies, anilox rolls, tooling, samples and supporting materials.
- Properly seal, label, scan and return usable inks to inventory while maintaining formula history, traceability and colour-control records.
- Demount, clean, identify and store printing plates, print cylinders, dies and other tooling in their assigned locations.
- Manage the selection, inventory, cleaning, inspection and storage of anilox rolls.
- Maintain accurate computer records for inks, coatings, additives, mounting tapes, tooling and setup materials.
- Monitor inventory levels and communicate replenishment or maintenance requirements to management.
- Maintain a clean, organized and audit-ready ink kitchen, plate-mounting area and tooling storage area.
Qualifications & Experience
- Minimum one year of hands-on experience in flexographic printing, ink preparation, plate mounting or press support; three or more years in narrow-web label production is preferred.
- Experience working with UV and/or water-based flexographic inks and Pantone colour-matching practices.
- Experience using spectrophotometers, densitometers or colour-measurement equipment.
- Experience with plate-mounting systems, tooling preparation and flexographic press setup is preferred.
- Comfort using computer systems to manage formulas, job information, inventory and production records.
- Strong basic math, measurement, proofreading and job-ticket interpretation skills.
- Ability to lift up to 50 lb, stand for extended periods and safely handle press cylinders, dies, inks and tooling.
What Matters in This Role
- Reliability is essential. You are expected to report to work consistently, arrive on time and be ready to contribute at the start of each shift.
- Strong attention to detail and a disciplined approach to colour, identification, traceability and job-ticket accuracy.
- Organized and able to manage several upcoming jobs and changing production priorities without losing track of tools or materials.
- Able to work independently while communicating effectively with press operators, supervisors and other production team members.
- Practical problem-solving skills, a positive attitude and a willingness to learn and improve established processes.
Safety & Food Packaging Environment
- Working knowledge of WHMIS, Safety Data Sheets, required PPE, chemical-handling procedures, spill response, and safe storage and disposal practices.
- Ability to safely handle UV inks, water-based inks, coatings, adhesives, cleaners and related pressroom chemicals in accordance with company procedures.
- Lorpon is an SQF-certified food-packaging facility. Hairnets, which are provided, must be worn in designated production areas.
- Company-provided PPE must be worn as required. Safety footwear is required.
- Maintain clean, organized and audit-ready work areas that support Lorpon’s safety, quality and food-packaging requirements.
Schedule, Compensation & Benefits
- Full-time day shift. The anticipated schedule is Monday to Friday, five 8-hour shifts. A Monday-to-Thursday, four 10-hour schedule may also be considered based on operating requirements.
- Some overtime may be required based on production needs.
- $24.00 to $29.90 per hour, based on directly related flexographic ink, colour-matching, plate-mounting and job-setup experience.
- Optional extended health and dental benefits are available through an employee co-pay program.
Posting Disclosures
- This posting is for an existing vacancy. Artificial intelligence may be used to assist with screening or assessing applicants for this position. Hiring decisions are made by Lorpon Labels personnel.
