Jobs in the digital printing industry

[Phill Fenton]

You’d be better off running your own business Paul 😉

[Andy Gorman]

You never know what you’re going to get when you start a new job. I’ve only worked at 3 places in 20 years. Two were very good places to work, the other was a fucking nightmare. Even though my experience was generally good, I just didn’t want to go and work for yet another sign company, so I started my own business. I always found it pretty easy to fit in at new places.

Why the concern Pauly? Are you thinking of a change? Go it alone if you ever get the chance. It has loads of pitfalls but it’s bloody brilliant fun nonetheless.

[Pauly]

Yeah, i kind of get the feeling that i will never get what i need out of life while someone else is pulling the strings at my place of employment.
I dont mind being micro managed by an over zealous boss, its the patronising i dont deal with well…..

I would love to start my own business, but i would have no idea where to start, im really good with people and deal with clients every day but i have done very little real sales and cold calling, im more of a "keep the client happy and get what they need done" guy. I know nothing about leasing equipment or business loans, so its something i would need some serious education on…..

But until then, i am curious on how employable i am with my current skill set, due to a real lack of options for formal training in the digital print industry; its kind of tough to know where you stand. Im more than comfortable i can tackle ANY job given to me here head on and succeed, but i just wonder how it would be elsewhere??…..

[Phill Fenton]

I was a "corporate slave" for 20 years before I saw the light. Beleive me Paul – If you’re any good , you will soon learn the "selling" and "business" skillls you need 😀

[Pauly]

Ok a different approach,

For those of you ina position to employ people, what skills would you require from someone if you were to put someone in charge/semi in charge of your digital print workshop? What sort of skills would be an optional bonus and what would be absolutly nescessary to your business and why?

– People management?
– Sales/marketing?
– Software?
– mounting/laminating?
– Fault finding?
– Technical knowledge?
– Design skills?
– Application skills?

How hard would it be for someone like me to find work over in the UK on a work visa?

All of these are hypothetical questions, but im keen for an answer regardless.

Thanks very much 🙂

Pauly

[luke bremner]

Hey pauly Im aussie signwriter and run digital printers im still at work 8pm printing!! Im going back to the uk i have worked there for 3yrs. The hardest thing I found over there is that most companies dont want an all rounder they want some one to do a single job, say run the printer or set up files or mount boards or install. I went to people telling them i can do any thing they needed but i never got any work. Then one company advertised for an installer so i told them i install signs and got the job.

well i have to run printer is finished now i can go home cya
luke.

[Stepen Wood]

We recently employed two people, when we were just looking for one. Our advert was for sign fitter/ graphic artist. Skills needed

Adobe illustrator and photoshop.
Print finishing
Vinyl application

We had 14 replies and not one had basic knowledge of all three. They were either print finishers, designers or sign hobbyists. We were crying out for guys with more than one skill.