Ink Room Technician

FLSA Status: Nonexempt

Alternate Job Titles: Colorist, Color Matcher, Ink Formulator, Ink Mixer

Job Summary

Develops color formulas and mixes screen printing ink, adhesives, and varnishes for production according to established company procedures and customer requirements. Mixes standard and matched color ink, sample ink batches, prints swatch, and performs color check per color specifications. Estimates quantity of ink to be mixed. Performs vendor quality check on incoming ink. Uses various color measurement instruments, maintains ink inventories, and records by performing the following duties personally or through assistant personnel.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Compares customer's sample with standard color card, or blends pigments into solution and compares results with sample to determine formula required to duplicate colors.
• Selects formula ingredients according substrate to be printed and properties desired by customer.
• Records color formula and issues formula and mixing procedure to appropriate workers or mixes ink.
• Estimates quantity of ink to be mixed according to coverage requirements.
• May prepares color sequence chart to guide press operator in setting up press.
• Compares printed swatch with customer's sample to verify color shade.
• Coordinates ink room activities with printing department production schedule.
• Uses colorimeter and/or spectrophotometer to match sample colors from customer if necessary.
• Maintains cleanliness of work area and keeps equipment clean such as air mixers, high-speed dispersion equipment, mills, viscometers, grind gauges, and scales.
• Keeps inventory of materials and requisitions supplies.
• Performs vendor quality check on incoming ink.
• Maintains records to verify ink room operations.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This job has no supervisory responsibilities. Carries out conduct and leadership responsibilities in accordance with company policies, procedures, safety, and applicable laws.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

High school diploma or general education degree (GED)with emphasis on chemistry; or one to three years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Skills in laboratory work, computer, and measurement equipment helpful. Must have good judgment of color.

Language Skills

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical information and procedures. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, clients, customers, and employees.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret a variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit, stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must regularly lift/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes, toxic chemicals, and heat. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud. Some independent travel may be required.