Print Operator

Montebello Packaging
Lebanon, KY

Job Title: Print Operator (Including Capper)
Department: Production / Printing
Reports To: Printing Supervisor / Production Manager
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Location: Universal
Starting Wage: $19.38

Send resume to lalford@montebellopkg.com or apply at the Lebanon/Marion County Career Center, 516 Workshop Lane, Lebanon, KY 40033

Job Summary:

The Print Operator is responsible for setting up, operating, and maintaining printing equipment used to decorate products (e.g., cans, tubes) in a high-speed manufacturing environment. This position also includes operation of the capping equipment that secures closures to containers post-printing. The print operator ensures consistent print quality, proper cap application, machine efficiency, and adherence to safety and production standards.

Key Responsibilities and Duties:

• Set up, operate, and monitor printing machines to apply ink/decoration to products according to specifications.
• Load materials (inks, containers, and labels) and make color and registration adjustments.
• Operate and monitor the capper machine to ensure secure and accurate closure application.
• Inspect finished goods for print quality, color accuracy, alignment, and cap integrity.
• Perform basic preventative maintenance on printers and cappers (clean rollers, replace blades, refill fluids).
• Troubleshoot and resolve minor mechanical issues to reduce downtime.
• Log production data, including counts, scrap, downtime, and adjustments.
• Ensure product changeovers are conducted efficiently and correctly.
• Lean where the emergency stop button and start/stop buttons are on the press end of the line, as you will be the relief person for Print when they are on lunch/break.
• Maintain a clean, organized work area and follow all safety protocols, including PPE use.
• Must wear proper PPE at all times while on the production floor.
• Must train any new hires assigned
• Communicate with maintenance, quality, and production teams as necessary.
• Participate in production meetings and communicate with team members about shift performance.

Machinery responsible for:

• VLM- External Coating
• PDO– Coater Curing Oven
• VDM-Printer
• ADO – Print Curing Oven
• OVL—Over Varnish
• ODO – Over Varnish Curing Oven
• VHM – Capper
• TGA – Latexing (Cold seal) and hole detection
• Acc #3 – Accumulator (Cans)
• FRAT – Necking (Cans)

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Prior experience operating printing or labeling machinery in a manufacturing setting is preferred.
• Mechanical aptitude and basic troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to interpret color charts and maintain consistent visual standards.
• Comfortable using measuring and inspection tools (calipers, rulers, and visual templates).
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and stand for extended periods.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to identify defects.
• Basic computer/data entry skills for production tracking.
• Team-oriented with good communication skills.

Training and Onboarding Requirements:

• Orientation on company policies, safety procedures, and PPE requirements
• Introduction to print/capping equipment and terminology

• Shadowing experienced operators on press and capper machines
• Hands-on training for machine set-up, operation, and quality inspection
• SOP walkthroughs for changeovers, color matching, and cap torque checks
• Print defect and cap misapplication identification and troubleshooting
• 5S training
• Lean Manufacturing

Work Environment:

• High-speed production floor with exposure to inks, lubricants, and moving machinery
• Must wear appropriate PPE, including gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection
• Standing, lifting, bending, and repetitive motion are required throughout the shift.

Noise and temperature variations common; work near conveyors and rotating