If you are mechanically-minded, practical and like hands-on work in a creative environment, then printing is for you. You will utilise a sophisticated range of computer-managed printing machinery to print everything from books, brochures, newspapers, magazines, food and product packaging - practically anything you can think of.

There are many types of printing processes depending on the sort of final product your employer's business produces. Some businesses specialise in colour magazines, brochures, posters and so on. Others manufacture labels for foodstuffs, bottles, clothing and ticketing. Some produce specialised items such as chip packets, frozen food wrapping and CD labels. All of these different processes require different types of equipment, ranging in size from a small car up to machines 30 metres and more in length. This equipment can be valued at from $50,000 to $5 million, and require vastly different skill levels to operate.

Most modern printing equipment is highly computer controlled, so the work is clean and able to be quality-controlled to a high degree. You will learn how to determine the type of paper or material that will be printed on, how to achieve the exact colour mixes required by the customer, how to produce the most accurate printing and how to use and maintain your equipment.

Most printers begin their career with an apprenticeship leading to a Certificate IV in Printing & Graphic Arts (Printing Machining). In Queensland training is provided by the Queensland School of Printing and Graphic Arts at Morningside in addition to on-the-job training.

If you wanted to try out the industry before deciding on an apprenticeship, you can apply for work experience or a school-based traineeship if you're still at school, or a full-time traineeship if you've left school.