Hello Everyone, Gotta Question

[Robbie101]

Hello everyone, This is my first post here on Print Planet so i figured id introduce myself first.
My Name is Robbie and Im 27 and very new to the print industry.


I have been doing this for about 4-5 months now and absolutely love it. For me this is very gratifying work. I get to work with Computers, I get to work with Machines, and I also get to see raw product go to finished a product. Its kinda like being in production work. I worked in a cotton mill back when i first got out of high school and thats where i feel in love with production style work. Being in the print industry brings that feeling back some i guess.

Anyways, what we do here is 90% digital and 10% press. We run a Konica 1200p and a c5501. Both machines run most all day 5 days a week as we normally turn about 300,000+ clicks a month combined between the two machines. We run just about everything and anything that can be printed on paper other then wide format. We have a graphics wizard UV coater, a baum 2020 folder. We've got just about everything you would need in a commercial print shop.

Ok, now to my question,

If You Had One Tip For Me, What Would It Be?

Reason im asking is because I want to learn any and everything i can about this industry as fast as I can so I can become a much better employee.

 

[Craig]

On the forums, believe half of what you read, and verify that half after you read it. Get all the trade magazines you can get your hands on. Go to trade shows and see what's new and how others are doing the same thing you are doing.

 

[WiseGuy]

Do you know what direction you want to go in the industry or have any insight to what the company you work for now wants to do in the long run? There's so many routes to go, but one thing that is for sure is the industry is changing right now. Going more digital. Going to more automated systems from order processing to the back door. Variable print is hot for many. Packaging and labels is hot for many.

So, the bottom line is, what would you like to do in the long run?

However, one recommendation would be to make sure you learn the business side as much as the technical side. The most valuable people in any company understand how the business makes money and how it runs. This includes everything from understanding sales, estimating to buying supplies. You don't have to be an expert in these things, but knowing what will make money vs loose money and good general business practices along with a strong technical or production background is very valuable for many.

Good luck!
Michael

 

[Robbie101]

More then likely, short run for sure. I see myself staying in the digital arena.

 

[che.c]

Remember that this enthusiasm will wear off shortly. Once you've learned your trade and get good at it, then you'll start to get weary of the constant pressure, the unnecessary drama (it's only ink on paper dammit, get over yourself) and the thankless lack of loyalty from all your bottom-line Bob (and Betty?) customers.

Really, it's just a phase you're going through, print usually grabs most people for 6 months to a year before you start looking for an escape route. Enjoy it while it lasts, you should know that you can't make great wages in production, eventually if you want to make good money you'll have to move into management, sales or ownership - all of which are not the part of the job you enjoy - worth bearing that in mind when thinking of a long term career.


So my advice?

Start taking nightclasses in something that'll let you move out of print while you still can.


Oh and in the meantime, you'll enjoy this
Printing's Alive! & Printing's Alive 2

 

[chevalier]

I'm actually slightly younger than you but this is year 9 for me. I started working in conventional and digital prepress at 16 and have filled roles as lead digital prepress operator, lead digital printing operator, it administrator, estimator/job planner, and lead technical advisor. The amount of disruptive change in this industry has been astounding in my near-decade of experience.

It's too hard to give only one tip...

QUESTION EVERYTHING RELENTLESSLY
Why? How? Is there a better way? How does this work? Why does it work that way? Can't it work this way? It may not make you friends with everyone but it will make you more knowledgable and take you places.

Read everything you can get your hands on...
Start with Gordo's blog. Quality In Print When a vendor comes in ask for literature - lots of it. There used to be a series of small booklets called "ED" from one of the paper companies a year or two ago if you can get a copy of the set from your paper vendor read them cover to cover. Subscribe to all the periodicals you can get your hands on.

Network
Go to the trade shows and network - even at your own expense. Meeting the right people at the right time can launch you into a career path you aren't even thinking about right now. Don't sell yourself short by focusing only on one little sector of this humongous and dynamic industry. Don't let the "old guys" depress you with their sob stories about how they once had it made and how terrible things are today. You'll hear that crap in any industry but ours seems to have a particular penchant for it. Never stop advancing and don't let anybody hold you down with "this is the way we've always done it". Printing is a dynamic industry full of incredibly disruptive change. Today's technology may not be very relevant 5 years from now. Always remain skeptical and probe for weaknesses and outright lies.

 

[chevalier]

Remember that this enthusiasm will wear off shortly. Once you've learned your trade and get good at it, then you'll start to get weary of the constant pressure, the unnecessary drama (it's only ink on paper dammit, get over yourself) and the thankless lack of loyalty from all your bottom-line Bob (and Betty?) customers.
Really, it's just a phase you're going through, print usually grabs most people for 6 months to a year before you start looking for an escape route. Enjoy it while it lasts, you should know that you can't make great wages in production, eventually if you want to make good money you'll have to move into management, sales or ownership - all of which are not the part of the job you enjoy - worth bearing that in mind when thinking of a long term career.

So my advice?
Start taking nightclasses in something that'll let you move out of print while you still can.

This is exactly what I meant by:

Don't let the "old guys" depress you with their sob stories about how they once had it made and how terrible things are today. You'll hear that crap in any industry but ours seems to have a particular penchant for it.

This negativity is not pervasive but you will encounter it over and over again.

 

[Ultimate]

Robbie,

One thing for sure, you can't go wrong by looking into whatever will increase the level of automation. You don't have to spend thousands on overkilling solutions. There are plenty of software out there that will allow you to automate several processes for low prices.

If your shop invests in automation tools and on equipment to remain very flexible on short runs, you'll be a winner. Keep listening to what customers are saying (and not), so you can keep a competitive edge. The extra mile rule is also a winning bet: do more, be better and service more than your competitors.

Applying the basics are always winning!

Ray Duval
Ultimate Technographics
www. imposition. com

raymond @ imposition.com

 

[Robbie101]

Guys, thanks for all the reply's. Ive been around long enough in the work place to know that there are always those bad apples. (not saying anyone here is or was so please don't take this the wrong way.)

I was a manager for 5 years in a family owned restaurant and thats something i never ever want to get back into. I really do enjoy what we do here and the company i work for put almost every dollar made back into the business. As a matter of fact today, PHS is here delivering two more machines. A numatic numbering machine and a creaser.

Thanks again for all the comments, please keep them coming.

Also, what type of training is there out there other then on the job. Something i can be reading while at home or on the jon.... lol Im the type person that puts every single effort in anything i do.

 

[chevalier]

Probably not what you meant but Clemson University has a very respected Graphic Communications program that is probably not too far from you.

 

[RickS]

Accept change always, and look to automation.
First shop I worked in had union linotype operators. I watched as they said the union will take care of them, I don't have to learn offset ways. I watched as they all lost their jobs with no other skills. That was a lesson I learned early on.
Rick

 

[Robbie101]

Very good point Rick. That's one reason why I started this thread. I want to obtain as much Info as I possibly can as fast as I possibly can.

 

[Joe Duffy]

And do not forget all of the IT portion of our jobs. Updated training in XML, HTML and databses are cheap and around every Junior college. Look for what people will want, not want they want today. Good luck, and get used to long hours!